CLBA - Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment Reading for Information Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the following public notice: **Community Centre Pool Closure** Effective Monday, June 1st, the main swimming pool will be closed for annual maintenance. This closure is expected to last for approximately two weeks. During this period, the children's splash pad and the hot tub will remain open during regular hours. All registered swimming lessons will be rescheduled. Please check the website or front desk for the new schedule. We apologize for any inconvenience. What is the primary purpose of this notice?
- To announce the rescheduling of all programs at the community centre.
- To inform the public about a temporary closure of the main pool for maintenance. (Correct answer)
- To advertise new swimming lessons starting in two weeks.
- To warn patrons that the entire aquatic facility will be closed.
Correct answer: To inform the public about a temporary closure of the main pool for maintenance.
The notice clearly states that the 'main swimming pool will be closed for annual maintenance' and specifies the duration. The other options are incorrect as only swimming lessons are rescheduled, not all programs, and parts of the aquatic facility remain open.
Question 2: A job posting includes the following requirement: 'Must be able to interpret moderately complex workplace documents, such as safety manuals and detailed procedural guides.' According to the Canadian Language Benchmarks, which of the following reading skills is being described?
- Scanning a text for a single piece of information.
- Understanding simple, short personal messages.
- Comprehending information to perform a work-related task. (Correct answer)
- Reading complex academic articles for research purposes.
Correct answer: Comprehending information to perform a work-related task.
The CLBA's 'Reading for Information' competency focuses on the ability to understand and use information from various texts. Interpreting safety manuals and procedural guides to perform a job is a key example of comprehending information in a workplace context.
Question 3: You are reading an email from your manager about a new team project. The email is three paragraphs long and contains several dates and action items. What is the most effective first step to ensure you understand all the necessary information?
- Reply immediately to show you have received the email.
- Skim the entire email to get the main idea before reading for details. (Correct answer)
- Focus only on the first paragraph, as it is likely the most important.
- Translate the entire email into your first language.
Correct answer: Skim the entire email to get the main idea before reading for details.
Skimming is a key reading strategy for getting the gist or main idea of a text before doing a more detailed reading. This allows the reader to understand the overall purpose and context, which aids in comprehending specific details like dates and action items later.
Question 4: Which of the following best demonstrates a CLB Stage II (Intermediate) 'Reading for Information' skill?
- Identifying a single word, like 'STOP', on a sign.
- Reading a simple, one-sentence greeting card.
- Locating the expiry date on a food package.
- Comparing information from two different websites to make a decision. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Comparing information from two different websites to make a decision.
CLB Stage II (Benchmarks 5-8) involves more complex reading tasks. Comparing information from multiple sources requires a higher level of comprehension, analysis, and synthesis than the simple recognition tasks described in the other options, which are characteristic of Stage I (Basic).
Question 5: You receive a utility bill and need to find out the total amount due and the payment deadline. This task is an example of:
- Reading for pleasure.
- Reading to get things done. (Correct answer)
- Reading to interact with others.
- Reading to reproduce information.
Correct answer: Reading to get things done.
In the CLB framework, reading competency is divided into different areas. Reading a bill to find specific information needed to complete a payment is a clear example of the competency 'Getting things done,' which involves reading to fulfill a practical, real-world task.
Question 6: A notice at a clinic says: 'Patients are seen in the order of their scheduled appointment time, not their arrival time. Exceptions are made for medical emergencies.' If you arrive at 9:00 AM for your 9:30 AM appointment, and someone else arrives at 9:10 AM for their 9:15 AM appointment, who will likely be seen first?
- You, because you arrived first.
- The other person, because their appointment is earlier. (Correct answer)
- Whoever checks in at the reception desk first.
- It is impossible to tell from the notice.
Correct answer: The other person, because their appointment is earlier.
The notice explicitly states that patients are seen based on their 'scheduled appointment time, not their arrival time.' Therefore, the person with the 9:15 AM appointment will be seen before the person with the 9:30 AM appointment, regardless of who arrived first.
Read the following public notice:
**Community Centre Pool Closure**
Effective Monday, June 1st, the main swimming pool will be closed for annual maintenance.
This closure is expected to last for approximately two weeks.
During this period, the children's splash pad and the hot tub will remain open during regular hours.
All registered swimming lessons will be rescheduled.
Please check the website or front desk for the new schedule.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
What is the primary purpose of this notice?