B1 Preliminary (PET) Practice Tests

Reading Part 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1. NOTICE (sports centre): Members are reminded that the pool timetable changes from 1 July. Lane swimming, which currently takes place in the evenings, will move to early mornings, while family sessions remain exactly as they are. (A) Family sessions will move to the mornings in July. (B) Lane swimming will happen at a different time of day from July. (C) The pool will close in the evenings from 1 July.
2. Message from Ellie: Don't bother bringing the camping stove on Saturday — Marco's picking one up from his cousin, so there's no point in us carrying two. A torch would be far more useful, if you've got one. (A) Ellie wants you to bring both a stove and a torch. (B) Marco has asked to borrow your camping stove. (C) You should bring a torch rather than a stove.
3. LIBRARY EMAIL: The novel you asked for has arrived from another library. If you don't collect it by Thursday, we will have to send it back. (A) The library will keep the book for you until the end of the month. (B) You won't be able to borrow the book unless you pick it up by Thursday. (C) You must return the novel to another library by Thursday.
4. Sign at the station: Because of engineering work, the 8.15 to Milton will leave from platform 4 instead of platform 2 until further notice. Passengers for all other trains should check the screens. (A) Every train now leaves from platform 4. (B) The Milton train is using a different platform for the time being. (C) The 8.15 to Milton has been cancelled because of engineering work.
5. Note from coach: Well played on Sunday. I've entered us for the regional tournament, which means training twice a week from now on — Tuesdays as usual, plus Thursdays. Let me know straight away if that's a problem. (A) Training is moving from Tuesdays to Thursdays. (B) There will be an extra training session each week. (C) Players must attend a tournament every Thursday.

Reading Part 2

The people below all want to join a weekend club. On the right there are descriptions of eight clubs (A-H). Decide which club would be the most suitable for each person. Write the correct letter (A-H).

1. Nora is keen on outdoor activities and is happiest when she's on the water. She's a confident swimmer and doesn't mind getting wet.
2. Daniel finds team sports too noisy and competitive. He'd like a calm hobby in the open air and doesn't want to spend money on special equipment.
3. Sara taught herself some programming last year and now wants to create her own games. Her family doesn't own a laptop.
4. Leo loves being the centre of attention and dreams of acting in front of a real audience. At weekends he's only free after lunch.
5. Priya is looking for an indoor Saturday-morning activity for the winter. She loves games of strategy but has never learned to play one properly.

Reading Part 3

Read the text about a young runner and the questions below. For each question, choose the correct answer.

1. How did Tom feel about running when he was at primary school? (A) He was certain it wasn't for him. (B) He enjoyed it despite always coming last. (C) He only disliked cross-country. (D) He was determined to get better at it.
2. What surprised Tom when he first visited his sister's club? (A) how fast every single member was (B) how little importance the runners gave to speed (C) how hard the training sessions looked (D) how few people bothered to attend
3. What does Tom say about running now? (A) He expects to become the club's quickest runner. (B) He sometimes still feels he's being tested. (C) It's the part of the week he most looks forward to. (D) It leaves him too tired to see his friends.
4. What do we learn about Tom in the final paragraph? (A) He has already completed a half-marathon. (B) He is getting ready for a long race. (C) He plans to leave the club when he turns sixteen. (D) He still avoids anything he finds difficult.
5. What would Tom probably say to a teenager who has given up on sport? (A) Choose a sport you can win at. (B) A difficult start shouldn't put you off. (C) Watch other people before you decide. (D) Train as often as you possibly can.

Reading Part 4

Five sentences have been removed from the text below. For each question, choose the correct sentence (A-H). There are three extra sentences which you do not need to use.

Reading Part 5

Read the text about a skate park. For each question, choose the correct answer.

1. Skateboarding really took ___ in our town after the council opened a skate park down by the river. (up / off / on / in)
2. The project was paid for by local businesses, ___ meant it cost the town itself almost nothing. (which / what / that / who)
3. Anyone can use the park free of ___, although you have to register on your first visit. (cost / price / charge / money)
4. Beginners are strongly advised to ___ a helmet, as falls are common during the first few weeks. (carry / hold / dress / wear)
5. At weekends the park gets ___ crowded that some skaters prefer to turn up early in the morning. (so / too / very / such)
6. If it has been raining, the ramps become slippery, so you ___ better wait until they dry out. (would / should / had / must)

Reading Part 6

For each question, write the correct answer. Write ONE word for each gap.

Dear Aunt Kate,

Thank you so much for the camera you gave me — it is exactly (1) ___ I had been hoping for, and far better than the one I was planning to buy myself.

I have already taken hundreds of photos. Last weekend I went down to the harbour early in the morning, because the light is at (2) ___ best then, and waited for the fishing boats to come in.

My friend Sam, (3) ___ has been into photography for years, says I'm improving quickly. He's going to show me how to edit my pictures (4) ___ that they look more professional.

If I keep practising, I might enter the photography competition (5) ___ is being held at school in June. I'll send you my best picture as soon as I (6) ___ chosen it.

Love, Emma

1. (1)
2. (2)
3. (3)
4. (4)
5. (5)
6. (6)

Writing Part 1 — Email

Read this email from your English-speaking friend Alex and the notes you have made. Write your email to Alex using all the notes. Write about 100 words.

Writing Part 2 — Article or Story

Choose ONE of these questions. Write your answer in about 100 words.

Listening Part 1

For each question, choose the correct picture.

Listening Part 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1. You will hear two friends talking about a film they have just seen. What did the boy think of the film? (A) It was better than he expected. (B) The story was easy to follow. (C) It was too long.
2. You will hear a man telling a friend about his holiday in Spain. What did the man enjoy most about his holiday? (A) the hotel (B) the weather (C) the meals he had
3. You will hear two friends arranging to meet. Why does the girl want to meet later? (A) She has another activity first. (B) She wants to have dinner at home. (C) She thinks the show starts later.
4. You will hear a boy talking to his teacher about the job he wants to do. Why has the boy changed his mind about his future job? (A) Someone told him about the long hours. (B) Something happened in his family. (C) He is worried about the cost of the training.
5. You will hear two friends talking about a book they have both read. What do the friends agree about? (A) The start of the book was boring. (B) The ending was surprising. (C) The main character was likeable.
6. You will hear a woman telling a colleague why she was late for work. How does the woman feel about being late? (A) She blames herself. (B) She is angry with the bus company. (C) She is worried about what her boss will say.

Listening Part 3

You will hear a teacher talking to students about a school trip. For each question, write the correct answer in the gap. Write one or two words or a number or a date or a time.

1. Listen and write: Museum to visit: the ... Museum
2. Listen and write: Day of trip:
3. Listen and write: Meet at school at:
4. Listen and write: Cost of coach: £
5. Listen and write: Bring a packed:
6. Listen and write: Teacher in charge: Miss

Listening Part 4

You will hear an interview with a young swimmer called Ella Morris. For each question, choose the correct answer.

1. Why did Ella start having swimming lessons? (A) Her parents hoped she would win competitions. (B) She was frightened of the water. (C) She wanted to join her sister's club.
2. How does Ella feel about her early-morning training now? (A) She still finds it very hard. (B) It has become a normal part of her day. (C) She would prefer to train in the evenings.
3. What effect has swimming had on Ella's schoolwork? (A) She has less time for homework than before. (B) She finds it easier to pay attention in class. (C) Her teachers give her extra help.
4. What is Ella's main aim at the moment? (A) to compete at the Olympics (B) to become a swimming coach (C) to break her club's record
5. What will Ella do if she doesn't achieve her aim? (A) keep swimming because she enjoys it (B) try a different sport (C) stop swimming completely
6. What advice does Ella give to young people who are scared of water? (A) Jump in and get it over with. (B) Watch other people swimming first. (C) Choose a teacher who lets you go slowly.

Speaking Part 1 — Interview

The examiner asks you some questions about yourself. This part takes about 2 minutes.

1. What's your name? Example: My name's Emma Lewis.
2. Where do you live? Example: I live in a small town near the coast, about an hour from the city. I live there with my parents and my younger brother.
3. Do you work or are you a student? Example: I'm a student. I'm in my last year at secondary school, and my favourite subject is geography, because I love learning about other countries.
4. What did you do last weekend? Example: On Saturday I met some friends in the park and we played volleyball. Then on Sunday I stayed at home and helped my mum cook a big lunch for my grandparents.
5. Tell me about something you'd like to learn in the future. Example: I'd love to learn to play the piano. My grandmother plays really well, and she's promised to teach me, but I never seem to have enough time. Maybe I'll start in the summer holidays.

Speaking Part 2 — Describe a photo

Now you are going to talk on your own about a photograph. Tell the examiner what you can see in the photograph: the people, what they are doing and the place. You should talk for about one minute.

1. Here is your photograph. It shows someone playing with a dog in a park. Please tell us what you can see in the photograph. Example: In this photo I can see a girl playing with her dog in a big park. She's probably about fourteen. She's got long dark hair, and she's wearing a white top, jeans and trainers. She's smiling and pointing, so I think she's just thrown a red ball for the dog. The dog is brown with long ears, and it's running across the grass towards the ball — it looks really excited! On the left there's a big tree, and in the background I can see lots of other trees and maybe a small lake. The sky is blue with a few white clouds, so it's a warm, sunny day. I think they're both having a great time.

Speaking Part 3 — Discussion

A class wants to raise money for a charity. Here are some ideas they could try: a cake sale, a sports day, a book sale or a concert. Talk together about the different ideas, and then decide which one would be best. You have about 3 minutes for this part.

1. A class wants to raise money for a charity. Here are some ideas: a cake sale, a sports day, a book sale or a concert. Talk together about the different ideas. Example: Shall we start with the cake sale? It's easy to organise and everyone loves cakes, but I don't think we'd make much money, because we can't charge very much for a cupcake. A sports day would be fun, and people could pay to take part in the races, but if it rains, nobody will come. The book sale is a good idea too, because lots of families have old books they never read. And a concert could be great — some students in our class play in a band, and we could sell tickets to parents.
2. Now decide which idea would be the best. Example: I think the concert is the best idea. We could sell a lot of tickets, and families would definitely come to watch their children. It also gives students a chance to show their talents. What do you think? I'd say the cake sale is a good second choice — we could even sell cakes at the concert!

Speaking Part 4 — General conversation

The examiner asks you some questions about the Part 3 topic (raising money and helping others). This part takes about 3 minutes.

1. Have you ever helped to raise money for a charity? What did you do? Example: Yes, last year our class did a sponsored walk for a children's hospital. We walked twenty kilometres, and our families and neighbours gave us money for every kilometre. We raised about six hundred pounds, which was amazing.
2. Do you think schools should organise more events like concerts and sports days? Why? / Why not? Example: Yes, I think so. They're a nice break from lessons, and students can show that they're good at other things, not only exams. They also bring parents and teachers together, which is good for the whole school.
3. Is it better to give money to a charity or to give your time? Why? Example: In my opinion, giving your time is often better. For example, if you help at an animal centre, you can see the difference you're making. But charities need money too, so both are important.
4. Should young people do volunteer work? Why? / Why not? Example: I think it's a great idea, as long as it doesn't affect their studies. You learn useful skills, you meet new people, and it looks good when you apply for a job later.