Cambridge PET Reading Part 3 Practice: Chef Maria Gomez Text | EnglishProLab

Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) Reading Part 3 Practice

About Reading Part 3

This section tests your ability to understand longer texts (about 300 words) and the main ideas, details, and opinions within them. You’ll read a text (in this case about Chef Maria Gomez) and answer 5 multiple-choice questions.

How to approach Part 3:

Read quickly first to get the general idea
Highlight key information as you read
Read questions carefully before looking at options
Eliminate wrong answers to improve your chances
Watch for distractors – words that appear in the text but don’t answer the question

Tip: The questions follow the order of the text, so question 11 will be about the beginning, and question 15 about the end.

Chef Maria Gomez Talks About Her Passion for Cooking

Cooking has always been a big part of my life. Even as a child, I loved spending time in the kitchen with my grandmother, watching her prepare traditional dishes. She taught me that cooking is not just about following recipes—it’s about creativity, patience, and love. For me, cooking is a way to express myself and bring joy to others.

When I was younger, I never thought I’d become a professional chef. I studied business at university and worked in an office for a few years. But I quickly realized that sitting at a desk all day wasn’t for me. I missed the excitement of the kitchen and the satisfaction of creating something delicious. So, I decided to follow my passion and enrolled in a culinary school. It was the best decision I ever made.

Now, I run my own restaurant, and I couldn’t be happier. Every day is different, and I love the challenge of coming up with new dishes. I also enjoy teaching cooking classes, where I share my knowledge with people who are eager to learn. Cooking has given me so much—it’s not just a job, it’s a way of life.

11. Maria enjoys cooking because

A. it helps her relax after work. B. it allows her to be creative. C. it reminds her of her childhood. D. it is an easy way to make money.

12. What does Maria say about her early career?

A. She regrets not studying cooking sooner. B. She wanted to start her own business. C. She found office work boring. D. She didn’t have time to cook.

13. Why did Maria decide to become a chef?

A. She didn’t like her university degree. B. She wanted to impress her family. C. She missed the excitement of cooking. D. She wanted to make more money.

14. How does Maria feel about her restaurant?

A. She prefers teaching to running a restaurant. B. She finds it too stressful. C. She enjoys the daily challenges. D. She wishes it were more successful.

15. What would be a good introduction to this article?

A. Maria Gomez always knew she wanted to be a chef. Here, she explains how she achieved her dream. B. Cooking has always been a hobby for Maria Gomez. In this article, she describes how she turned it into a career. C. Maria Gomez gave up a successful career in business to become a chef. Here, she explains why she made the switch. D. For Maria Gomez, cooking is more than just a job—it’s a way of life. In this article, she shares her journey.

Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) Reading Part 3 Practice

About Reading Part 3

How to approach Part 3:

Reading Text: Chef Maria Gomez Talks About Her Passion for Cooking

Comprehension Questions