PET Preliminary English Speaking 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In PET speaking Part 1, the examiner asks: 'Tell me about your hometown.' Which answer best demonstrates B1-level speaking?
- It is nice.
- I live there.
- My hometown is a mid-sized city in the north. It has a lot of parks and a famous old castle that tourists love to visit. (Correct answer)
- Yes, I like it.
Correct answer: My hometown is a mid-sized city in the north. It has a lot of parks and a famous old castle that tourists love to visit.
A B1-level answer provides location, general description, and specific details using varied vocabulary.
Question 2: Which of the following is a correct example of speculating about a photo in the PET speaking test?
- The man is definitely a teacher.
- This photo was taken in Paris.
- She could be on her way to work because she's carrying a briefcase. (Correct answer)
- I don't want to talk about this picture.
Correct answer: She could be on her way to work because she's carrying a briefcase.
Using 'could be' and giving a reason shows appropriate speculation, which is a key skill in describing photos.
Question 3: The examiner assesses 'grammar and vocabulary' in PET speaking. What does this criterion reward?
- Using only basic present-tense sentences correctly
- A range of grammatical structures and varied vocabulary used with reasonable accuracy (Correct answer)
- Using advanced academic vocabulary exclusively
- Speaking quickly with no pauses
Correct answer: A range of grammatical structures and varied vocabulary used with reasonable accuracy
Examiners reward candidates who attempt a range of structures (past tense, conditionals, modals) and varied vocabulary, even if minor errors occur.
Question 4: In the PET speaking collaborative task (Part 3), you and your partner must choose one option from several. What is most important?
- Reaching agreement quickly without discussion
- Justifying your choices and genuinely negotiating with your partner (Correct answer)
- Always agreeing with everything your partner says
- Speaking for the entire time without letting your partner contribute
Correct answer: Justifying your choices and genuinely negotiating with your partner
The task is designed to assess discussion skills; justifying opinions and negotiating are central to a high score.
Question 5: A candidate pauses frequently to think during their PET speaking test. How will this affect their score?
- It will automatically fail them
- Natural pauses for thinking are acceptable; only very long or constant hesitations reduce the fluency score (Correct answer)
- Pausing always increases the score
- The examiner will stop the test if there is any pause
Correct answer: Natural pauses for thinking are acceptable; only very long or constant hesitations reduce the fluency score
Short natural pauses are normal in spoken language; examiners penalize only excessive or very lengthy hesitation that disrupts communication.
Question 6: Which phrase best helps you gain thinking time in the PET speaking test without going silent?
- Um… um… um…
- That's an interesting question. Let me think for a moment… (Correct answer)
- I refuse to answer that.
- Please ask me something easier.
Correct answer: That's an interesting question. Let me think for a moment…
Discourse markers like 'That's an interesting question' or 'Let me think' show communicative competence while you formulate your answer.
Question 7: When describing a photo in PET speaking, which spatial phrase is most useful for organizing your description?
- Over there, or something
- In the foreground, there is… while in the background, I can see… (Correct answer)
- Somewhere in the picture there might maybe possibly be…
- The photo has things in it.
Correct answer: In the foreground, there is… while in the background, I can see…
Spatial phrases like 'in the foreground' and 'in the background' organize the description clearly and demonstrate vocabulary range.
PET Preliminary English Speaking 3
In PET speaking Part 1, the examiner asks: 'Tell me about your hometown.' Which answer best demonstrates B1-level speaking?