B1 PET – Exam 1 – Reading
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Look at the text in each question and choose the correct option.
- 06 December, 2024
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- Exams
- B1 Preliminary (PET)
B1 PET – Exam 1 – Reading
Your guide to mastering the Reading section of the B1 Preliminary English Test (PET).
Overview of the Reading Exam
The B1 PET Reading exam assesses your ability to understand and interpret various types of texts. It contains 6 parts with a total of 32 questions, and you will have 45 minutes to complete it. Below is a detailed breakdown of each part, along with tips and examples to guide your preparation.
Part 1: Identifying the Main Message
In this section, you will read 5 short texts, such as notices or messages, and answer a multiple-choice question for each. Example:
Correct: "Don’t leave your belongings unattended." (Main message: Warning about unattended items)
Incorrect: "You can store your belongings here." (Misinterpretation of the text)
Tip: Focus on the key idea conveyed by the text.
Part 2: Matching Descriptions
Match descriptions of 5 people to 8 short texts. The goal is to find the most relevant match. Example:
Correct: "Anna wants a quiet café to read. (Match: A review of a cozy, quiet book café)"
Incorrect: "Anna wants a quiet café to read. (Match: A review of a lively coffee shop)"
Tip: Pay attention to specific preferences in the descriptions.
Part 3: Understanding a Longer Text
Read a longer text and answer 5 multiple-choice questions. This part tests your ability to understand details, main ideas, and opinions. Example:
Correct: "The author believes traveling teaches responsibility. (Chosen answer aligns with the text's message.)"
Incorrect: "The author discourages traveling due to risks. (Misreading of the author's perspective.)"
Tip: Skim the text first for a general understanding, then reread for details.
Part 4: Completing a Text with Sentences
You will fill 5 gaps in a text using sentences from a list. Understand the flow and meaning of the text. Example:
Correct: "The gap fits: 'As a result, many people decided to join.' (Logical connection to the previous sentence.)"
Incorrect: "The gap fits: 'However, this was not the case.' (Creates confusion or breaks logic.)"
Tip: Look for linking words like 'however,' 'therefore,' or 'as a result' to identify the correct sentence.
Part 5: Choosing Words to Fill Gaps
Fill in 6 gaps in a shorter text with the correct word from four options. This part tests vocabulary and grammar. Example:
Correct: "The book was so interesting that I couldn't put it down. ('so' fits the meaning.)"
Incorrect: "The book was such interesting that I couldn't put it down. ('such' is incorrect here.)"
Tip: Consider the context of the sentence before selecting an answer.
Part 6: Filling Gaps with Your Own Words
You will complete 6 gaps in a text by thinking of the correct word. This part tests your ability to use vocabulary contextually. Example:
Correct: "She was very happy to receive the gift." (Fits the context.)
Incorrect: "She was very quick to receive the gift." (Does not fit logically.)
Tip: Re-read the sentence to ensure your word choice makes sense.
General Tips for Success
- Understand the exam format: Familiarize yourself with the question types and timing.
- Practice regularly: Read different types of texts to improve comprehension and speed.
- Expand your vocabulary: Learn new words and practice using them in context.
- Use past papers: Practice with previous exam materials to understand question patterns.
- Analyze keywords: Underline important words in questions to guide your answers.
Unfortunately, we currently do not have teaching materials available on this topic. We are working with all our efforts to prepare it. You can subscribe to Verbooze to be notified once the teaching materials are ready.
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