PET

Preliminary English Test

Are you ready?

Take this test to see if you are ready to start preparing for the examination.

By Louise Brett

 

The questions that follow are not taken from the PET examination, but they do test some of the items covered in the READING test using similar question forms.

Remember that the PET examination also has LISTENING, SPEAKING and WRITING components.

The format of the PET examination has been revised: starting from the March 2004 you will note some small but significant changes. This exercise is not a PET practice examination, authentic practice examinations are available in the ‘Mediateca’ in the Centro Linguistico di Ateneo, Via Roma 151, Sassari.

There are SIX sections: Signs and Messages, Text Matching, True or False, Cloze Test, Multiple Choice Reading, and Grammar.

 

Read the instructions and click on the correct answer.

1. Please do not disturb.

    Please wake me up.

    Do not make noise or enter the room.

    Please knock before you enter the room.

2. Those interested in the excursion at the weekend should put their names down in the secretary's office.

    You should pay for the excursion before Saturday.

    There aren't any places left for the excursion.

    You need to tell the secretary if you are interested in the excursion.

3. Adults accompanying two children or more enter free.

    If you enter with your child you don't pay.

    You don't pay if you enter with more than one child.

    Children entering with a fee-paying adult go free.

4. Jane, I had to go, dinner's in the oven! John.

    John is not at home.

    Jane must cook dinner.

    John and Jane ate dinner together.

5. Keep off the grass!

    Dogs are not allowed in this park.

    Please do not walk or play on the grass.

    This is a special area reserved for dogs.

 

Film A. ‘Butterfly Palace’ is the latest animated film from Fantasy Studios. It follows an important day in the life of Fred as he changes from a hairy green caterpillar into a beautiful monarch butterfly. An exciting tale of friendship for young and old alike.

Film B. ‘Bloodbath’ is a classic horror film and a sequel to ‘Knife Edge’ by the award-winning director John Jonsson. Journalist Katie Franks is enjoying a quiet break in the country when a body is found in the garden of her house. Tension increases as the body count goes up and Katie finds herself directly involved in the case. Strictly over 18’s.

Film C. ‘I Didn’t Know I was Looking for Love’ is a heart-warming romantic comedy starring Annabelle Lettes and comedian Jeff Styles. Set in New York, the film tells the story of two people who do everything possible to avoid falling in love. An original comedy with an unexpected ending.

Film D. ‘Tall Trees’ is the acclaimed documentary by Canadian Rolf Green. Enjoy the wonderful photography of some of the tallest, and oldest, trees in the world as Rolf explores their climatic, environmental and political importance. A must for all those interested in nature and photography.

Film E. Maria Raj (Tess in television’s ‘Mississippi High’) makes her big screen debut in ‘Crazy’, the touching story of a girl who wants to be a truck driver. Few comedy moments in this realistic film about the problems of growing up in small town America. Wonderful rap and rock soundtrack which includes ‘Get me Out of Here’ by Exchequer.

Film F. ‘Bricks and Barriers’ is based on the construction of the Great Wall of China. A classic martial arts film which has had little success outside China. Subtitled.

Film G. ‘Red by Night’ is the latest science fiction offering from writer/director Matthew Lloyd. Mars, 2089, and scientists are warning of a possible invasion from Earth. Politicians debate whether to attack the unknown planet or make contact with its leaders. Another wonderful film from Lloyd with his trademark gift for special effects.

Film H. Exciting action thriller with Jack Jones and Monica Carey in ‘Train!’ Terrorists have hijacked a high speed train taking key politicians to a meeting in Berlin. Jones and Carey play two Interpol agents called in to help resolve the problem. A familiar theme and predictable ending, but the chemistry between Jones and Carey make the film worthwhile. Based on the book of the same name by Franklin Fobbs.

    

7. Frank has just started a photography course and is very interested in nature and environmental issues.

    

8. Bob and Mary want to take their two children to the cinema. The children are aged four and eight.

    

9. Robert likes action films. His favourite writer is Franklin Fobbs.

    

10. Tim and Margaret like comedy films. They just want to relax at the cinema before they go on holiday to New York next week.

    

 

Welcome to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island.

The Statue of Liberty was presented by the people of France to the people of the United States in 1886 to honour the friendship between the two nations. Today, it is recognised as a symbol of liberty throughout the world.

It was established as a national monument in 1924 and placed under the management of the National Park Service (NPS) in 1933. It underwent an extensive $86 million renovation in time for the statue’s 100th birthday in 1986. More than four million people visit the statue each year.

Ellis Island was the gateway through which more than 12 million immigrants passed between 1892 and 1954 in their search for freedom of speech and religion, and for economic opportunity in the United States. Because of its unique historical importance, it was declared part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument in 1965. After a six-year, $162 million renovation, overseen by the NPS and funded through the efforts on The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, it reopened to the public as a museum in 1990.

For three-quarters of a century, the NPS has endeavoured to preserve America’s parklands for generations to come. The NPS and concessioner ARAMARK work to provide everything you need for a memorable visit.

Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty Magazine is provided by ARAMARK to enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of the monuments. It has been made possible by the support of the sponsors whose messages appear inside.

11. The Statue of Liberty was a present to America.

    True

    False

12. The statue was constructed in 1924.

    True

    False

13. It is part of a national park in America.

    True

    False

14. The statue is still in its original condition.

    True

    False

15. Between 1892 and 1954 12 million Americans visited the statue.

    True

    False

16. The statue is now a museum.

    True

    False

17. In 1990 the statue celebrated its 100th birthday.

    True

    False

18. The job of the NPS is to protect the area.

    True

    False

19. This text is from a magazine.

    True

    False

20. This magazine contains no advertisements.

    True

    False

 

Thirty years ago Joan Marble and her sculptor husband Robert Cook bought a piece of unpromising land in Lazio, the area north of Rome that was home to the ancient Etruscans. They built a house and, more importantly, grew a wonderful garden. The challenge was both exciting and daunting, and poor soil, an inhospitable climate and the blank incomprehension of their neighbours sometimes made it seen as if they would never realise their dream. But Joan and Robert’s enthusiasm for the land, their determination and inspiration, and the unexpected friends who helped them, all served to make the landscape blossom.

 

21. Joan and Robert ______________ in Lazio.

    bought a house

    rented a flat

    bought a flat

    bought some land

22. The work was ...

    very easy.

    impossible.

    boring.

    difficult.

23. Their neighbours ...

    were very friendly.

    didn't understand them.

    didn't like them.

    didn't speak English.

24. Joan and Robert love...

    gardening.

    problems.

    their neighbours.

    incomprehension.

25. The project...

    was a failure.

    cost a lot of money.

    was a success.

    stopped them from making friends.

 

The British tendency to moderation perhaps reflects the climate, which is exceptionally moderate: not too hot or cold, not too (26)_________ or dry. The temperature rarely goes below –5ºC (27)___________ over 25ºC. (28)____________ the weather is often dull and damp with too (29)________________ sunshine. The frequent moderate winds make it feel colder than it really is. July and August are sometimes fine, but more (30)________________ miserable. There are no great differences of climate (31)____________ the sections of the United Kingdom, except (32)__________ the west has more rain than the east, and the northern mountains, particularly in Scotland, have (33)_________________ more rain and snow. More (34)______________, the southern parts of England and Wales are a little warmer, sunnier and less misty (35)__________________ the rest.

26. The British tendency to moderation perhaps reflects the climate, which is exceptionally moderate: not too hot or cold, not too (26) ____________ or dry.

    wetter

    wet

    wettest

    raining

27. The temperature rarely goes below -5°C (27) _________ over 25°C.

    to

    or

    but

    however

28. (28) ______________ the weather is often dull and damp...

    But

    Or

    And

    For

29. ...with too (29) ___________ sunshine.

    much

    little

    many

    few

30. The frequent moderate winds make it feel colder than it really is. July and August are sometimes fine, but more (30) ______________ miserable.

    ever

    regular

    sometimes

    often

31. There are no great differences of climate (31) _________ the sections of the United Kingdom,...

    between

    to

    at

    from

32. ...except (32) ____ the west has more rain than the east,...

    of

    from

    that

    for

33. ...and the northern mountains, particularly in Scotland, have (33) _____________ more rain and snow.

    many

    too

    much

    lots of

34. More (34) ______________,...

    usual

    generally

    common

    general

35. ...the southern parts of England and Wales are a little warmer, sunnier and less misty (35) _____________ the rest.

    to

    for

    of

    than

 

    should

    must

    need

    can

37. You _________ to lock the door when you leave.

    ought

    should

    must

    might

38. We ________ to live in Manchester when we were young.

    use

    used

    would

    once

39. I have __________ seen Mark, he was doing the shopping.

    still

    just

    ever

    never

40. If you don't leave now, __________ the police!

    I phone

    I would phone

    I'll phone

    I phoned

41. They were both working in Rome when they _______ for the first time.

    were meeting

    meeting

    met

    meet

42. 'What are your plans for tomorrow?' 'Oh, tomorrow I __________'.

    will work

    working

    am working

    worked

43. I like _____________ in the mountains.

    walk

    to walking

    to walk

    be walking

44. Do you know what ________________?

    was his name

    is his name

    his name is

    his name

45. The painting _____________ between two and four o'clock this morning.

    steal

    stolen

    is stolen

    was stolen

46. If you _________ red and blue you get purple.

    mixing

    mix

    will mix

    mixed

47. '____________ car is that?' 'It's mine'.

    What

    That

    Whose

    Who's

48. I think we will win if we _________ playing like this.

    to continue

    continue

    will continue

    would continue

49. How __________ children do you have?

    much

    many

    few

    little

50. He showed his photos __________.

    me

    my

    mine

    to me

Home CLA