Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) Reading Part 4 Practice
About Reading Part 4
This part tests your ability to understand how a text is structured and how ideas are connected. You’ll read a text with 5 gaps and choose the correct sentences (from options A-H) to complete it.
Key Strategies for Part 4:
- Read the whole text first to understand the general meaning
- Look at the sentences before and after each gap for clues
- Check pronouns and linking words that connect ideas
- Eliminate obviously wrong options first
- Read your completed text to check it makes sense
A New Hobby
When I was younger, I never thought I’d enjoy gardening. I used to think it was boring and only for older people. But one day, my friend invited me to help her plant some flowers in her backyard. 16 …………………………………. To my surprise, I found it really relaxing and satisfying.
A few weeks later, I decided to try growing some herbs on my balcony. I bought a few pots, soil, and seeds from the local garden centre. 17 …………………………………. I watered them every day and watched them grow. It was amazing to see the tiny green shoots appear after just a few days.
As time went on, I became more and more interested in gardening. I started reading books about it and even joined an online gardening group. 18 …………………………………. I learned so much from other people’s experiences and felt inspired to try new things.
One of the best things about gardening is that it helps me relax. After a long day at work, I love spending time outside with my plants. 19 …………………………………. It’s like a form of meditation for me.
Now, my balcony is full of plants, and I’ve even started growing vegetables. 20 …………………………………. I never thought I’d say this, but gardening has become one of my favourite hobbies.
Explanations:
16. A – “I didn’t know much about plants, but I was willing to give it a try.”
This sentence fits perfectly because it shows the narrator’s initial lack of knowledge about gardening but willingness to try, which leads to their surprising enjoyment mentioned in the next sentence.
17. G – “I was worried they wouldn’t grow, but I was wrong.”
This reflects the narrator’s uncertainty as a beginner gardener, which contrasts with their amazement at the plants growing in the following sentence.
18. C – “I’ve made so many new friends through this hobby.”
This explains the positive outcome of joining the online gardening group mentioned in the previous sentence.
19. F – “I feel so calm and happy when I’m taking care of them.”
This directly describes the relaxing effect of gardening that’s mentioned in the surrounding sentences.
20. B – “It’s hard work, but the results are worth it.”
This summarizes the narrator’s journey and leads nicely into their concluding statement about gardening becoming a favorite hobby.
Extra sentences not used:
D – About parents encouraging outdoor time (not mentioned in text)
E – About forgetting to water plants (contradicts the text)
H – About garden center selection (irrelevant to the narrative)