Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) Reading Part 5 Practice
About Reading Part 5
This part tests your knowledge of vocabulary, particularly how words are used in context. You’ll read a text with 6 gaps and choose the correct word (from options A-D) to complete each one.
Key Strategies for Part 5:
- Read the whole text first to understand the general meaning
- Look at the words before and after each gap for collocations
- Consider all options before making your choice
- Watch for similar words with different meanings
- Read your completed text to check it makes sense
The Honeybee
The honeybee is one of the most important insects in the world. It plays a vital 21 ………… in pollinating plants, which helps fruits, vegetables, and flowers grow. Without honeybees, many of the foods we eat would 22 ………… .
Honeybees live in large groups called colonies. Each colony has a queen, whose 23 ………… is to lay eggs, and thousands of worker bees that collect nectar and pollen. The worker bees also protect the hive and keep it clean.
Honeybees are known for producing honey, which is not only delicious but also has many health 24 ………… . People have used honey for centuries as a natural remedy for sore throats and wounds.
Unfortunately, honeybee populations are 25 ………… due to pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change. Scientists are working hard to find ways to protect these incredible insects because they are so 26 ………… to our environment.
Explanations:
21. B – role
“Role” is the correct answer because it refers to the honeybee’s function or position in the ecosystem. While “job” and “work” could also make sense, “role” is the most natural collocation with “play a vital…” in this context.
22. A – disappear
“Disappear” is the best choice because it means the foods would cease to exist without honeybees. “Vanish” is similar but more dramatic, while “fail” and “reduce” don’t convey the complete absence that the context suggests.
23. A – task
“Task” is the most appropriate as it refers to a specific duty or responsibility. The queen bee’s primary responsibility is laying eggs, making “task” more precise than the more general “job” or “role”.
24. C – benefits
“Benefits” is correct because it specifically refers to the positive health effects of honey. “Advantages” could work but is more general, while “profits” and “gains” are more financial terms.
25. D – declining
“Declining” is the best fit here because it describes a gradual, concerning decrease in population numbers. While the other options are similar, “declining” is the most commonly used term for population decreases.
26. D – essential
“Essential” is the strongest and most accurate choice, meaning absolutely necessary. While the other options are positive, “essential” best captures the critical importance of honeybees to our environment.