B1 PET Test #24 - Reading

12/25/2020 9:00:00 AM

Choose the correct answer that goes with this text.

  • You can get a discount on a coat if you buy some gloves today.
  • You are given some gloves if you buy a coat today.
  • We have gloves to match the coats we sell.

Choose the correct answer that goes with this text.

  • You'll need to take at least £20 with you to Edinburgh on Thursday.
  • Unless you pay £20 by Thursday, you won't be able to go to Edinburgh.
  • The trip to Edinburgh costs £20 in total to be paid by Thursday.

Choose the correct answer that goes with this text.

Why has Henry written the text?

  • to warn Mia that he may not be on time.
  • to remind Mia about delays on the buses.
  • to ask which bus he should get to band practice.

Choose the correct answer that goes with this text.

If you want to go to London,

  • buy a ticket before Saturday.
  • go and tell Kim immediately.
  • write your phone number here.

Choose the correct answer that goes with this text.

  • Students must go to the college shop to buy certain items for their studies.
  • Students can take advantage of special offers at the college shop at the moment.
  • Students may visit the college shop at lunchtime every day except Monday.

Read the following descriptions of eight countryside walks for people wanting to come.

A. Whitsbury
This short 6 km walk starts in the village of Whitsbury and goes through both farmland and woodland. The path is well-signposted and completely on level ground. The 16th-century Braemore House is at the end of the walk and is open to the public. There is also a museum and café here. 

B. Gullane Bay
This 14 km walk begins at the Aberlady Nature Reserve, where there are 55 different types of birds, and then follows the coast to North Berwick. Although quite long this is an easy walk on flat ground, most of it being across the sandy beach of Gullane Bay. 

C. Kingston
This 6 km walk only takes 2 hours, is well-signposted and is completely on flat ground. It begins in the village of Kingston and then heads south to the coast. The ruins of 12th-century Corfe Castle are on route and are a popular place for a picnic lunch. 

D. Radnor
Although this long 14 km walk is mostly on paths, at certain points the route is not marked and directions require care. The walk starts in Radnor Forest and then continues steeply uphill. It's a hard climb up Fron Hill but it is peaceful at the top and walkers can see all the way to the Black Mountains. 

E. St Agnes
The starting point for this short 7 km walk is the village of St Agnes. The walk then continues along the side of a valley until it reaches the coast. The climb up the cliffs is not difficult and from the top walkers can see for miles around. The area is well known for seabirds with over 900 pairs of kittiwakes nesting here. 

F. Croft Ambrey
Although fairly short, this 7 km walk offers surprising variety. It is mainly in woodland but also passes by Fishpool Valley and the 14th century Croft Castle. The path is well signposted and on flat ground, making it a suitable walk for all age groups. 

G. Langdale
This challenging 15 km walk is mostly on high ground and at certain points there are some steep climbs. A map is important as the route is not always signposted. There is a restaurant at the end of the walk in the small village of Elterwater. 

H. Alnwick
Although long, this 14 km circular walk is always very popular. It is a well-signposted path that begins and finishes at Alnwick, where there are an 11th-century castle and a range of restaurants. The path takes you through parkland and alongside the River Aln. It then heads west and begins a gentle climb up to Brizlee.

The people below all want to go on a walk in the countryside. Decide which countryside walk would be the most suitable for each person.


Nikos wants a Iong walk that involves some climbing but nothing that is too difficult. He would also like to visit a historical building and stop somewhere to buy lunch.


Anna wants a walk by the sea that also provides her with some good views. She would like to do a little climbing and she is interested in seeing some local wildlife.


Hiro wants a fairly short walk on a path that is easy to follow and doesn't involve any climbing. He wants to stop somewhere to buy lunch and also visit a place of historical interest.


Maya is an experienced walker and can easily follow a map. She wants a long walk that involves a lot of climbing and also takes her through wooded countryside. 


Toby wants a walk by the sea that doesn't involve any climbing. He would like a route that is easy to follow and he also wants to visit a building of historical interest.

Read the passage then choose the best answer to each question.

To Camp or Not to Camp?

When I asked a group of my friends this question, everybody had a strong opinion. Camping was either terrible or wonderful - there was nothing in between. I think it depends on your childhood: if you had fun camping when you were a kid, then that was the beginning of a life-long enjoyment. But the opposite could also be true! The message for families is clear.

Personally, I loved camping when I was a child and I still do today. My father worked in the oil industry and my family moved from city to city. I was quite lonely, I realize now. I never felt that the holidays we spent in other cities were real holidays; real holidays were the ones when we got out into the countryside and slept in tents. I think every family should have that experience. And even though I still live and work in a big city, this remains my opinion.

The camping I remember was out there, up mountains, in forests, by rivers - not stuck in campsites. If you're camping with friends or family, that's who you want to be with, not all the other people you meet in campsites. They're too safe - although they do have great showers and shops, and they are reasonable value for money. In fact, a night at a site once in a while let you all get your clothes clean and stock up with food. But, wherever you go, don't pack lots of things: keep it basic and you'll have a better time.

We took my children camping last summer. We could see they loved it: the freedom, cooking on a fire, looking at the stars at night. I like to think that they understood the value of fresh air and water, sunshine, running and swimming and that it meant more to them than expensive beach holidays.

What is the writer's main purpose in writing the text?
  • To explain how to prepare for a camping trip
  • To encourage families to go camping together
  • To describe his childhood camping experiences
  • To persuade parents to let their children go camping
What does the writer say in the second paragraph?
  • He spent a lot of time with his parents when he was young.
  • He had a happy childhood.
  • He has always taken his holidays in the countryside.
  • He has always lived in cities.
What does the writer say about campsites?
  • It is useful to stay at campsites occasionally.
  • It is too expensive to stay at campsites.
  • They don't usually have enough facilities.
  • They are a good place to make friends.
What does he hope his children learned on their last camping holiday?
  • The importance of simple things
  • How to save money
  • The names of stars
  • How to cook food
What is the writer most likely to say?
  • If you go camping, take a map that shows where campsites are.
  • People don't always realize that camping is enjoyed most by children.
  • The less you take with you when camping, the more you'll enjoy it.
  • Remember that camping can be quite dangerous, so plan your trip carefully.

Five sentences have been removed from the text below.

For each question, choose the correct answer from A-H. There are three extra sentences that you do not need to use.

A. It has wood around it to protect it.

B. The police think the event is very dangerous.

C. Winners of the event have come from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Nepal.

D. Sometimes they use an old tyre.

E. The words in this message showed that this event was already a tradition then.

F. That's why, at the bottom of the hill, there are lots of ambulances and medical staff.

G. The first person over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese.

H. Children are not allowed to eat the cheese.

The most unusual festival I've been to
by Diane Key

Last year I visited a small village near the city of Gloucester, England, where a very special and unusual race takes place once a year. It's called "Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling". On a Saturday at the beginning of spring, people from all over the world go to Cooper's Hill to see the race. The first written information about the race was in a message sent to the local government in 1826. So nobody knows when it really started. Each year, the event becomes more and more popular with people coming from all over the world to take part and to watch.

The way the race works is as follows. There is a very large piece of cheese, which is round, like a wheel, and weighs about 4 kilograms. One of the people in charge of the event sends the large piece of cheese down the hill and half a second later everyone taking part runs down the hill after the cheese.

In the past, the cheese has hit people watching the race and injured them. It's not just the spectators who get injured; many of the people running down the hill get serious injuries, too. The injuries are usually broken ankles and legs as the runners lose control coming down the steep hill. There are also lots of local people helping to catch the runners, so they don't fall over and hurt themselves; they are called "catchers".

This event has become so famous that it appears on television all over the world on the BBC network and, also, on Trans World Sport. People watching this event think it is very strange and that the people taking part are crazy.

(Adapted from Simply PET Preliminary for School)

Read the text and choose the best answer to fill in the blanks.

Good walks

You're rarely (0) far from a good walk in Britain - you live in the town or the country. From the mountains in the North to gentle hills in the South, you're sure to find some wide-open spaces you will like. People live in the city can enjoy walks canals and in the many beautiful parks to be found.

Walking gives you the of exercise and at the same time allows you to experience wonderful scenery. You can also know about local wildlife. On foot, in the countryside, you see much more than you'd see from a car or on a bike.

However, if you are out and about in the countryside make sure you follow the rules. You mustn't go anywhere that's private, you stay on public footpaths and avoid animals in fields!

(Adapted from PET Practice Test 5 tests)

For each question, write the correct answer. Write ONE word for each gap.

Having a pen friend
by Jane Cooper

I've had an American pen friend I was twelve years old. So we have been writing to other for four years. There are many good things about having a pen friend. I think it is important that you write to someone is the same age as you because then you will probably share some interests. Also, you should remember that you want to improve your language skills, you should have a pen friend that speaks the language that you are learning. Some people even become good friends with their pen friends and they go to visit them. This is a really special thing as you get to meet their family and see how their life really . But you shouldn't think that pen friends are just for young people. People of ages enjoy writing letters, or even sending emails, so it's never too late to start.

(Adapted from Simply PET Preliminary for School)