B1 Preliminary (PET) Reading 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)