Reading Success: A Guide to the B1 Preliminary (PET)

Philo and Sophia work through every part of the Reading paper together

Reading paper: 45 minutes 6 parts · 32 questions Writing is a separate paper — see our Writing guide

1The Six Reading Parts, at a Glance

Part 1

5 short texts · main message

Part 2

Matching · 5 into 8 texts

Part 3

Long text · attitude & opinion

Part 4

Gapped text · 5 sentences

Part 5

Vocabulary cloze · 6 gaps

Part 6

Grammar cloze · 6 gaps

At PET level, questions are worth one mark each and there's no penalty for guessing — Philo and Sophia's rule from A2 still applies: never leave an answer blank.

2Part 1: Short Texts

You read five real-world notices, messages, signs, or short texts and choose which of three sentences matches the main message.

PhiloThis feels like the A2 version I already know — is PET's Part 1 really any different?

SophiaThe task is the same shape, but the texts are a little longer and the wrong answers are more subtle — they might be true, just not the main point of the text.

Notice — Reading Room Visitors are welcome to use the Reading Room between sunrise and sunset. Scrolls may only be taken outside if a librarian has given written permission.

What does this notice tell you?

A The Reading Room is closed at night.
B You need permission to remove scrolls.
C Only librarians may enter the Reading Room.

A is true but not the main point; C is never stated. B is the notice's real purpose — explaining the rule about removing scrolls.

3Part 2: Matching

Five short descriptions of people are matched against eight short texts on the same general topic — three texts won't be used at all.

Strategy

With eight texts and only five people, don't try to match every text — focus on each person's specific need first, then scan the texts for that detail.

Person	What they want
Marcos	A lecture that meets in the evening, after his work at the harbour.
Demetria	A class small enough that she can ask questions freely.

Text D: "Astronomy with Master Kallias — meets every evening after the sun sets. Open to all, no matter your level."

Matches Marcos — "evening" fits his after-work need directly.

Text F: "A small discussion circle on rhetoric, limited to six students, meeting at midday."

Matches Demetria — "small" and "discussion" fit her wish to ask questions freely.

4Part 3: Long Text — Attitude and Opinion

This time the questions have four options, not three, and they often ask what the writer thinks or feels, not just what happened.

From a letter I'll admit I was doubtful when Philo first suggested the debate — I've never enjoyed speaking in front of a crowd. But by the end, I found myself almost disappointed when it was over. Perhaps I misjudged how much I'd enjoy it.

How does the writer feel about the debate, looking back?

A She regrets taking part.
B She is still nervous about speaking publicly.
C She enjoyed it more than she expected to.
D She thinks Philo should not have suggested it.

"almost disappointed when it was over" and "misjudged how much I'd enjoy it" both point to a pleasant surprise — C.

5Part 4: Gapped Text

A longer text has five sentences removed. You choose the correct sentence for each gap from eight options — three of the sentences are never used. This part tests how well you follow the logic and flow of a text, not just its vocabulary.

Excerpt Sophia had always assumed the Library's night shift was quiet work. (1) ____ It wasn't until she volunteered for a week that she understood how much happened after dark.

Which sentence fits gap (1)?

A She had read every scroll in the Map Room.
B After all, most visitors came during the day.
C The Library closes at sunset every evening.

The gap needs a sentence that explains *why* Sophia assumed the night shift was quiet — B gives that reason, and connects smoothly to "It wasn't until..." that follows.

Strategy

Look for linking clues either side of the gap — pronouns ("it", "this"), connectors ("however", "because"), and time references often only make sense with one particular sentence.

6Part 5: Multiple-Choice Cloze

A short text has six gaps, each with four similar word options — this tests vocabulary, including collocations and phrasal verbs.

Excerpt Philo couldn't (1) ____ up with the pace of the lecture, so he asked Sophia to explain it again afterwards.

A catch
B keep
C hold
D take

"keep up with" is the fixed phrasal verb meaning to match someone's pace — the others don't combine with "up with" this way.

7Part 6: Open Cloze

A short text has six gaps and no options this time — you supply one word yourself, testing grammar: articles, prepositions, pronouns, and fixed phrases.

Excerpt Sophia has been studying rhetoric (1) ____ three years now, and she still enjoys (2) ____ every lesson.

1. Answer: for — "for three years" (duration)
2. Answer: going to / attending — depends on the rest of the sentence's structure

8How Reading Is Scored

Part 1

5 marks

Part 2

5 marks

Part 3

5 marks

Part 4

5 marks

Part 5

6 marks

Part 6

6 marks

That's 32 marks total, each part worth one mark per question, no penalty for a wrong guess. Reading makes up a quarter of the overall PET result, alongside Writing, Listening, and Speaking.