B1 Preliminary (PET) Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Why should learners listen to a variety of materials?

To practice reading comprehension.
To focus only on listening to slow speech.
To avoid using a dictionary.
To become familiar with diverse speech patterns and vocabulary. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To become familiar with diverse speech patterns and vocabulary.

Listening to a variety of materials exposes learners to different topics, genres, accents, and speaking styles. This broad exposure helps them develop a more comprehensive understanding of the language, expand their vocabulary, and adapt to various communicative situations. It prepares them for the diverse linguistic landscape they will encounter in real-world interactions.

Question 2: In the B1 Preliminary speaking test, what should you do if you don't understand the examiner's question?

Stay silent and wait
Politely ask them to repeat or clarify it (Correct answer)
Guess the answer
Say 'I don't know' and stop

Correct answer: Politely ask them to repeat or clarify it

It is perfectly acceptable to politely ask the examiner to repeat or clarify a question.

Question 3: Which of the following depicts the four shows' likely content?

Part 1 – Blue and Black; Part 2 – Red and Orange; Part 3 – White and Grey; Part 4 – Green and Yellow (Correct answer)
Part 1 – Cleaning Products; Part 2 – Make-up; Part 3 – Clothes; Part 4 – Food
Part 1 – Meeting Designers; Part 2 – Meeting People who Name Colours; Part 3 – Meeting Doctors; Part 4 – Meeting Scientists
Part 1 – Health; Part 2 – Products and Industry; Part 3 – Emotions; Part 4 – Decisions

Correct answer: Part 1 – Blue and Black; Part 2 – Red and Orange; Part 3 – White and Grey; Part 4 – Green and Yellow

This question asks about the content structure of a four-part series, likely related to colors, as indicated by the options. The correct answer suggests the series is organized by specific color groups across its four parts. This indicates a thematic division where each episode focuses on a distinct set of colors.

Question 4: Which word completes: 'We need to ______ a decision soon.'

do
have
make (Correct answer)
take

Correct answer: make

The fixed phrase is 'make a decision'.

Question 5: In a thank-you email, which sentence is most suitable?

Please pay me back.
You must reply now.
I disagree with you.
Thanks so much for inviting me to your party. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Thanks so much for inviting me to your party.

A thank-you message expresses gratitude clearly and warmly.

Question 6: Choose the correct word: 'She works as a ______ in a hospital.'

nursed
nursing
nurses
nurse (Correct answer)

Correct answer: nurse

'Nurse' is the singular noun for the job.

Question 7: Which sentence uses a relative clause correctly?

The book that I borrowed it was interesting.
The book who I borrowed was interesting.
The book that I borrowed was interesting. (Correct answer)
The book which I borrowed it was interesting.

Correct answer: The book that I borrowed was interesting.

In a defining relative clause with 'that', the pronoun is not repeated after the verb.

Question 8: Choose the correct word: 'I haven't seen him ___.'

ago
still
already
yet (Correct answer)

Correct answer: yet

'Yet' is used in negative sentences to mean up to now.

Question 9: Choose the correct word: 'This is the best book ___ I have ever read.'

that (Correct answer)
who
what
where

Correct answer: that

'That' is the relative pronoun used for things in this sentence.

Question 10: Which phrase best asks for repetition politely in a conversation?

What is your problem?
Sorry, could you say that again? (Correct answer)
Be quiet please.
I disagree completely.

Correct answer: Sorry, could you say that again?

'Could you say that again?' is a polite request for repetition.

Question 11: She needs to _____ her homework before watching TV.

give up
carry out
put off
get on with (Correct answer)

Correct answer: get on with

'Get on with' means to make progress with or continue doing a task.

Question 12: Which response best shows the ability to speculate when a speaking topic is uncertain?

'That's a market.'
'This photo is about food.'
'It might be a market, because I can see stalls.' (Correct answer)
'I have no idea what that is.'

Correct answer: 'It might be a market, because I can see stalls.'

Using 'might be' with supporting evidence shows the ability to speculate appropriately.

Question 13: In Listening Part 2, what type of recording do you usually hear?

Music with no speech
Longer recordings with multiple-choice questions (Correct answer)
Single words only
Reading a written essay

Correct answer: Longer recordings with multiple-choice questions

Part 2 has longer recordings answered with multiple-choice options.

Question 14: In Part 2 of the B1 Preliminary speaking test, candidates are given a photograph and asked to do what?

Act out a scene shown in the photo
Describe and talk about it for about one minute (Correct answer)
Write a paragraph about it
Memorize the photo and describe it from memory

Correct answer: Describe and talk about it for about one minute

Part 2 requires each candidate to speak alone about a photograph for approximately one minute.

Question 15: A speaker says: "Although it was expensive, the meal was worth every penny." What is the speaker's opinion?

The meal was cheap
The meal was small
The meal was good value (Correct answer)
The meal was bad

Correct answer: The meal was good value

'Worth every penny' means it was good value.

Question 16: You hear: "Tickets cost £10 for adults and children go free." How much for a child?

£5
£1
Nothing (Correct answer)
£10

Correct answer: Nothing

Children go free, so it costs nothing.

Question 17: Complete: 'He has lived here ______ 2010.'

during
for
since (Correct answer)
from

Correct answer: since

'Since' is used with a specific point in time like a year.

Question 18: What is the best way to handle a long pause when you need thinking time in the speaking test?

Stay completely silent
Say 'next question please'
Repeat random vocabulary words
Use a filler phrase like 'That's an interesting question…' to buy time (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Use a filler phrase like 'That's an interesting question…' to buy time

Filler phrases maintain the flow of conversation and signal to the examiner that you are processing.

Question 19: Which sentence uses the present perfect correctly?

I have go to Paris.
I have gone to Paris. (Correct answer)
I have went to Paris.
I has gone to Paris.

Correct answer: I have gone to Paris.

The present perfect is formed with have/has + past participle. 'Gone' is the past participle of 'go'.

Question 20: What should you avoid doing during the B1 Preliminary speaking test?

Making eye contact with your partner
Asking your partner's opinion
Using linking words
Reading from a prepared script (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Reading from a prepared script

Reading a memorized script sounds unnatural and does not demonstrate real communicative ability.

Question 21: In the Speaking test, why is it important to keep talking and not stay silent?

To confuse the examiner
To show your range and fluency of language (Correct answer)
To finish faster than your partner
To avoid grammar

Correct answer: To show your range and fluency of language

Speaking enough lets examiners assess your fluency and range.

Question 22: Which of the following best describes 'range of vocabulary' at the B1 speaking level?

Using only words from a given list
Using enough words to discuss familiar topics clearly (Correct answer)
Limiting speech to 100 basic words
Using advanced idioms and technical jargon

Correct answer: Using enough words to discuss familiar topics clearly

B1 speakers are expected to use sufficient vocabulary for everyday and familiar topics.

Question 23: In Part 3 of the B1 Preliminary speaking test, candidates discuss a topic together. What skill is being assessed?

Collaborative discussion and reaching a decision (Correct answer)
Translating between languages
Memorizing a prepared speech
Correcting each other's grammar

Correct answer: Collaborative discussion and reaching a decision

Part 3 tests the ability to interact, negotiate, and work together to make a joint decision.

Question 24: A weather report says, 'It'll be sunny in the morning but turn cloudy later.' What happens in the afternoon?

It becomes cloudy (Correct answer)
It is foggy in the morning
It stays sunny all day
It snows

Correct answer: It becomes cloudy

'Turn cloudy later' indicates clouds come in the afternoon.

Question 25: Which sentence correctly invites a partner to share their opinion during a speaking task?

'Tell me your answer now.'
'What do you think about that?' (Correct answer)
'You must agree with me.'
'Don't you think I'm right?'

Correct answer: 'What do you think about that?'

'What do you think about that?' is a natural, open invitation that encourages equal participation.

Question 26: Choose the best word: 'He spoke quietly ___ not to wake the baby.'

until
because
while
so as (Correct answer)

Correct answer: so as

'So as not to' expresses purpose — the reason for speaking quietly.

Question 27: At the B1 level, candidates are expected to speak with what level of fluency?

Only in short, memorized sentences
Completely fluent with no errors
Generally fluent with some pauses and hesitations (Correct answer)
Using only present tense

Correct answer: Generally fluent with some pauses and hesitations

B1 speakers communicate with reasonable fluency, but natural pausing and occasional errors are expected.

Question 28: A woman says: "Don't forget to bring your passport, the tickets are already printed." What must you bring?

Both items
Nothing
Your passport (Correct answer)
The tickets

Correct answer: Your passport

Only the passport is needed, as tickets are printed.

Question 29: Choose the correct spelling.

beautifull
beutiful
beautyful
beautiful (Correct answer)

Correct answer: beautiful

'Beautiful' has one 'l' and the 'i' before 'ful'.

Question 30: What does 'pronunciation' refer to in the B1 Preliminary speaking assessment?

Pronouncing every word with perfect stress
Speaking with a native British or American accent
Avoiding all regional accents
Producing sounds clearly enough for a listener to understand (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Producing sounds clearly enough for a listener to understand

At B1, pronunciation must be clear enough for comprehension, not accent-perfect.

Question 31: A poster reads: 'Recycle your bottles here. Help save the planet.' What is the poster encouraging?

Recycling bottles (Correct answer)
Throwing bottles in the sea
Buying more bottles
Burning rubbish

Correct answer: Recycling bottles

The poster encourages people to recycle their bottles.

Question 32: Which of the following best describes an 'open cloze' question in the B1 Preliminary Use of English section?

You match words from a box to gaps in a text
You transform a sentence using a given keyword
You write one missing word yourself with no options provided (Correct answer)
You choose the missing word from four given options

Correct answer: You write one missing word yourself with no options provided

In an open cloze, candidates must supply the missing word themselves without any multiple-choice options.

Question 33: How many papers make up the B1 Preliminary exam?

Three (Correct answer)
Six
One
Two

Correct answer: Three

The exam has three papers: Reading and Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

Question 34: Which is the comparative form of 'good'?

best
gooder
better (Correct answer)
more good

Correct answer: better

'Good' has the irregular comparative form 'better'.

Question 35: In collaborative speaking tasks, what is most important?

Using the most advanced vocabulary
Finishing as quickly as possible
Interacting with your partner — asking questions, responding to ideas, and reaching conclusions together (Correct answer)
Speaking more than your partner

Correct answer: Interacting with your partner — asking questions, responding to ideas, and reaching conclusions together

The collaborative task assesses your ability to interact: taking turns, asking for opinions, agreeing/disagreeing politely, and working together toward a conclusion.

Question 36: In the B1 Preliminary Reading Part 1, what task type do candidates complete?

Choosing the correct summary of a long article
Filling gaps in a text with missing sentences
Multiple matching of headings to paragraphs
Reading five short texts and answering one multiple-choice question each (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Reading five short texts and answering one multiple-choice question each

Part 1 presents five short real-world texts and one three-option multiple-choice question for each.

Question 37: Choose the correct collocation: 'Could you ___ me a favor?'

make
take
give
do (Correct answer)

Correct answer: do

The fixed collocation is 'do someone a favor', not 'make.'

Question 38: Complete: 'She is ___ tired to walk further.'

so
very
too (Correct answer)
enough

Correct answer: too

'Too' shows that the tiredness prevents the action of walking.

Question 39: Sign: 'Wet paint — do not touch.' What is the warning about?

The room is closed
The paint is not yet dry (Correct answer)
The wall is broken
The floor is slippery

Correct answer: The paint is not yet dry

'Wet paint' means the paint has not dried.

Question 40: Select the correct relative pronoun: 'The man ___ called you is my uncle.'

where
who (Correct answer)
which
whose

Correct answer: who

'Who' refers to people as the subject of a relative clause.

Question 41: Which phrase is most appropriate for expressing an opinion in the B1 Preliminary speaking test?

'Everyone knows that …'
'You must agree that …'
'Obviously …'
'In my opinion, …' (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 'In my opinion, …'

'In my opinion' is a clear, polite way to introduce a personal view.

Question 42: You hear: 'The film was a bit disappointing, to be honest.' How did the speaker feel?

Frightened
Completely amazed
Slightly let down (Correct answer)
Extremely delighted

Correct answer: Slightly let down

'A bit disappointing' means mildly let down.

Question 43: A message reads: 'Sorry, I borrowed your pen and forgot to return it.' What did the person do?

Took and kept the pen (Correct answer)
Gave away a pen
Lost their own pen
Bought a new pen

Correct answer: Took and kept the pen

The person borrowed the pen and forgot to give it back.

Question 44: What is the importance of active listening in language learning?

It helps to ignore background noise.
It focuses on vocabulary memorization.
It enhances comprehension and retention. (Correct answer)
It makes listening less stressful.

Correct answer: It enhances comprehension and retention.

Active listening involves fully engaging with the audio material, paying close attention to details, and trying to understand the message beyond just hearing the words. This focused engagement helps learners process information more deeply, leading to better comprehension of the content and improved ability to recall what they've heard. It transforms passive hearing into meaningful learning.

Question 45: Which of these statements is factually incorrect?

They ran quickly.
We worked hardly. (Correct answer)
The boys slept heavily.

Correct answer: We worked hardly.

The statement 'We worked hardly' is factually incorrect because 'hardly' is an adverb meaning 'scarcely' or 'barely,' not 'with great effort.' To express that someone worked with great effort, the adverb 'hard' should be used (e.g., 'We worked hard'). Therefore, 'We worked hardly' implies they barely worked, which is likely not the intended meaning.

Question 46: You hear: "Take the second left, then it's the building on your right." Which turn do you take?

The second right
The first left
The first right
The second left (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The second left

The instruction is the second left.

Question 47: In the B1 Preliminary Listening test, how many times do candidates hear each recording?

Twice (Correct answer)
It varies by part
Three times
Once

Correct answer: Twice

Each recording in the B1 Preliminary Listening test is played twice to give candidates a second chance.

Question 48: In the B1 Preliminary speaking test, what does Part 1 typically involve?

Giving a presentation
Debating a topic
Answering personal questions about yourself, your life, and your interests (Correct answer)
Describing a picture

Correct answer: Answering personal questions about yourself, your life, and your interests

Part 1 of the B1 speaking test involves answering the examiner's questions about yourself, covering topics like daily life, hobbies, work, or studies.

Question 49: Text message: 'Running late, start without me. Order me a coffee.' What does the sender want?

Cancel the meeting
Call them back
Begin and buy them coffee (Correct answer)
Wait for them

Correct answer: Begin and buy them coffee

They ask others to start and to order them a coffee.

Question 50: How long does the Reading and Writing paper in the B1 Preliminary exam last?

1 hour
2 hours
45 minutes
1 hour 30 minutes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1 hour 30 minutes

The Reading and Writing paper lasts 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes). This is the longest single paper in the exam, combining both skills into one sitting.

Question 51: They include popular games ________ Solitaire and Tetris.

such
as
example
like (Correct answer)

Correct answer: like

The word 'like' is used to introduce examples of something, meaning 'such as' or 'for example.' Solitaire and Tetris are presented as examples of popular games. 'As' is typically used for comparison or to state a role, and 'such' usually requires 'as' (e.g., 'such as') to introduce examples.

Question 52: Choose the correct passive: "The bridge _____ in 1990."

has built
is built
built
was built (Correct answer)

Correct answer: was built

The past passive 'was built' is correct for a completed action with a past date.

Question 53: What does a scale score of 160-170 on the B1 Preliminary exam indicate?

Pass at Level B1
Pass at Level A2
Distinction at Level B2 (Correct answer)
Pass with Merit at Level B2

Correct answer: Distinction at Level B2

Achieving a score of 160-170 on the B1 Preliminary exam signifies a 'Distinction,' indicating that the candidate has demonstrated English language abilities beyond the B1 level. This score is recognized as achieving Level B2 on the CEFR, showcasing a strong command of intermediate English.

Question 54: How long is the Cambridge B1 Preliminary certificate valid for?

3 years
10 years
Indefinitely (Correct answer)
5 years

Correct answer: Indefinitely

Cambridge English certificates, including the B1 Preliminary, do not have an expiry date and are valid indefinitely. Once achieved, the qualification remains a permanent record of a candidate's English language proficiency at that level.

Question 55: Which sentence correctly uses 'used to'?

She used to walk to school every day. (Correct answer)
She is used to walk to school every day.
She used to walking to school every day.
She use to walk to school every day.

Correct answer: She used to walk to school every day.

'Used to + base verb' describes a past habit that no longer happens.

Question 56: When listening for specific information like times or prices, what is a useful strategy?

Ignore the recording
Only read the question
Listen for the key numbers and details (Correct answer)
Write down every word

Correct answer: Listen for the key numbers and details

Listening for key numbers and details helps catch specific information.

Question 57: What is the real problem with apprenticeships?

They are expensive.
They don’t give you any qualifications.
There are few available. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: There are few available.

The question asks for the 'real problem' with apprenticeships, implying a specific drawback highlighted in the text. If the article states that 'there are few available' apprenticeships, this points to a significant issue of limited opportunities. This scarcity makes it difficult for many interested individuals to secure an apprenticeship, despite their potential benefits.

B1 Preliminary (PET) Exam

The Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) certifies intermediate English proficiency at CEFR level B1, testing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for everyday communication.

Questions

75 min

Time Limit

60%

To Pass

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