PET Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield PET facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What does it mean to infer meaning from a text? → Understanding information not explicitly stated
2. How long does the PET speaking test typically last for a pair of candidates? → 10–12 minutes
3. At a restaurant, the waiter asks: 'Are you ready to order?' You need more time. What do you say? → Could we have a few more minutes, please?
4. Read the label: 'Keep refrigerated. Best before: 12 May. Once opened, consume within 3 days.' The product is opened on May 10th. By when must it be consumed? → May 13th, three days after opening
5. When writing a story for PET, which technique makes the opening most engaging? → Open with action, dialogue, or a surprising statement to hook the reader.
6. What is the function of transition words in a passage? → To connect ideas and improve flow
7. You need to reschedule an appointment. Which message is most appropriate to send? → I'm afraid something has come up and I need to reschedule. Would Thursday work for you?
8. A notice reads: 'Passengers must present a valid ticket before boarding. No exceptions will be made.' What is the purpose of this notice? → To instruct passengers on a requirement
9. What does 'assessment' mean in Preliminary English Test practice? → Systematic evaluation
10. Why is coherence important in writing? → Ensures logical flow and clarity
11. Someone tells you some exciting news. Which response shows enthusiasm? → That's incredible! Congratulations!
12. What is the importance of staying current with trends in Idioms & Phrasal Verbs for Preliminary English Test? → It ensures practices remain effective and relevant
13. At a grocery store checkout, the cashier says, 'Did you find everything okay?' What is the best reply? → Yes, thanks! Everything was great.
14. Find the error: 'The police has arrested three suspects in connection with the robbery.' → has arrested
15. You are at a job interview and the interviewer asks: 'Do you have any questions for us?' You want to ask about working hours. What do you say? → Yes, I'd like to know what the typical working hours are.
16. Which word is spelled correctly? → definitely
17. Which sentence correctly uses an exclamation mark? → Watch out! The floor is wet.
18. She _____ swim very well when she was a child. → could
19. During the PET speaking test, your partner gives a very short answer. What should you do? → Ask your partner a follow-up question to keep the conversation going
20. Choose the sentence where 'its' is used correctly: → The company increased its profits.
21. Which skill is most important for success in Grammar & Sentence Structure within Preliminary English Test? → Continuous learning and adaptation
22. Choose the correct collocation: 'She ________ a mistake on her homework.' → made
23. Which PET speaking strategy is most effective when you do not know the exact word you need? → Use paraphrase: describe what the word means or give an example
24. When describing a photo in PET speaking, which spatial phrase is most useful for organizing your description? → In the foreground, there is… while in the background, I can see…
25. Which transition word best shows contrast between two ideas? → However
26. Your friend invites you to a party but you already have plans. Which response politely declines? → I'd love to, but I'm afraid I'm busy that evening.
27. The athlete ___ after years of training and won the championship. → came through
28. Choose the correct form: I wish I ___ more time to study. → had
29. Read the note: 'Tom — I've gone to the supermarket. Dinner is in the fridge. Heat it up for 10 minutes. Back by 7pm. — Mum.' What does Mum want Tom to do? → Warm up the food that is already prepared
30. Which word is spelled correctly? → separate