B1 Preliminary (PET) Reading Test 2 – Part 1
Read five short real-world texts – notices, a text message, an email and a label – and choose the answer that matches what each one says. Check your answers to see a full explanation for every question.
For each question, choose the correct answer: A, B or C.
1What does the notice say?
SWIMMING POOL
Children under 8 must be with an adult in the water at all times.
Lifeguard on duty 9 am – 6 pm only.
Children under 8 must be with an adult in the water at all times.
Lifeguard on duty 9 am – 6 pm only.
The notice says children under 8 must be with an adult in the water at all times, so the adult has to stay in the pool with them. B is wrong: the lifeguard does not replace the adult. C is wrong: 9 am – 6 pm are the lifeguard’s hours, not the pool’s opening hours.
2What is Sam doing?
SamHi Tom, the 7.30 film is sold out, but I’ve booked us seats for the 9.15 one instead. Can you still come? If not, I’ll ask Jess.
Sam has already booked seats for 9.15 and asks Can you still come? A is wrong: Sam has already booked the seats. C is wrong: Sam will only ask Jess if Tom can’t come.
3What does the email tell staff?
To: All staff
Subject: Car park
From Monday, the car park behind the office will be closed for repairs for two weeks. Please use the public car park on Hill Street. The company will pay your parking fees if you keep your receipts.Subject: Car park
The company will pay your parking fees if you keep your receipts, so staff get their money back. A is wrong for the same reason. B is wrong: the car park closes on Monday, for two weeks.
4What does the label say?
Keep in the fridge after opening and use within 3 days.
Not suitable for freezing.
Not suitable for freezing.
The label says keep in the fridge after opening and use within 3 days. A is wrong: the 3 days start when you open it, not when you buy it. C is wrong: the label says not suitable for freezing.
5Why has the club written this notice?
PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
Our trip to the coast on Saturday is now full. If you have a place but can’t come, please tell Mr Reed by Thursday so that someone on the waiting list can go.
Our trip to the coast on Saturday is now full. If you have a place but can’t come, please tell Mr Reed by Thursday so that someone on the waiting list can go.
If you have a place but can’t come, please tell Mr Reed by Thursday. B is wrong: the trip is now full. C is wrong: the trip is on Saturday; Thursday is only the day to tell Mr Reed.
About Reading Part 1
In Part 1 you read five short texts, such as notices, signs, labels, messages and emails, and for each one you choose the option (A, B or C) that matches its meaning. There are 5 questions and one mark for each correct answer. Source: Cambridge English – B1 Preliminary exam format.
- First decide what kind of text it is and why someone wrote it.
- Options often repeat words from the text but change the meaning – check times, days and who has to do something.
- Look for the option that says the same thing as the text in different words.