PET - 2020

Read the text and questions below. For each question, mark the letter next to
the correct answer - A, B, C or D.
Cyclist Vicky Harmiston
Reporter Mark Lewis writes about Vicky Harmiston, who has had a successful
career as a track cyclist - a cyclist who races on special race tracks.
When Vicky Harmiston was a child, her parents gave her and her brother
Jamie the freedom to decide what they did in their spare time. Vicky chose to do
lots of different sports. She was a good swimmer, and the coach at the swimming
club she went to thought she might be good enough to become a champion. But the
club was a long way from her home so it was difficult for her to fit in the training
around her schoolwork. When they were teenagers, Jamie, who loved cycling,
bought himself a special track-racing bike and started taking part in competitions.
Vicky thought it looked very exciting and decided to try it for herself. She says that
was the best decision she ever made. Soon she was cycling every day and doing
really well. The track was near her school, which meant it was no problem for her
to attend training sessions after school every day.
Vicky went on to have a successful career in track cycling and won several
competitions. Then, when she was 28, she retired from competitive cycling. Vicky
told me: 'For years I'd loved winning competitions but I began to get a bit tired of
the whole thing and when the excitement stops, there's no point. Luckily, I went on
to have a new career.'
Vicky got a job with a charity called CycleZone. 'We work with young
people who have never enjoyed sport,' she says. 'The first thing we do is teach
them to ride a bike. We want them to learn to believe in themselves and their own
abilities. CycleZone does a great job, and it gets young people together so they're
part of a wider group.'
The charity uses celebrities to advertise the work they do. Vicky says, 'I
know some people aren't sure whether the support of a celebrity is always positive
for a charity. They say the celebrities are only doing it to push themselves forward,
which prevents the public from seeing the real work of the charity. But if famous
singers and actors, for example, can help, I think they should.'
1. When Vicky first started cycling
A. She had a very good coach.
B. her parents gave her helpful advice.
C. she could get to a race track easily.
D. Her brother gave her a great bike.
2. Why does Vicky say she stopped cycle racing?
A. She felt she was too old to do it.
B. She was becoming bored with it.
C. She had won everything she wanted.
D. She was preparing for a new career.
3. What does the charity CycleZone do for young people?
A. It teaches them how to do track racing.
B. It supports those who have talent.
C. It offers them the chance to try a variety of sports.
D. It helps them become more confident.
4. According to Vicky, some people believe that celebrities can
Α. take attention away from what a charity does.
B. help people understand a charity's work.
C. make the public care less about a charity.
D. encourage more people to become involved with a charity.
5. What would Vicky say on her blog?
A. As a child, I always knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. But I never
expected to become so famous.
B. If you join CycleZone, you'll get to meet celebrities and learn how they've
become successful.
C. Although track cycling is not the only sport I've been good at, I've never
regretted my choice of career.
D. In my spare time I love going to schools and helping groups of children learn to
ride bikes.
TEST 2 -2020 Read the text and questions below. For each question, mark the
letter next to the correct answer - A, B, C or D.
Basketball player
Luka Horvat writes about his early career.
My dad was a professional basketball player in Germany, as his father had been
before him, and I went to watch many of his games when I was a kid. You might
think that seeing so many matches would give me a love of the sport, but it actually
had the opposite effect. I loved telling my friends how good my dad was, of
course, especially when he won a game, but I used to take a book with me to read
instead of watching.
Starting secondary school, I was still two years away from being a teenager but
was already two meters tall. Seeing my height, my sports teacher asked if I'd be
interested in training with the basketball team. Even though I enjoyed the session, I
thought I'd need to develop my skills before I took part in a real match, but the
teacher had more confidence in me than I did. It took me a while to agree, but a
few weeks later I found myself playing against a team from another school. Mum
and Dad coming to watch didn't really help - it made me more nervous. But it was
OK in the end!
For the next four years, I practiced every day and did really well, even joining an
adult team before I moved abroad to a special sports academy in the USA when I
was fifteen. The coach there trains Olympic basketball players, and it was fantastic
to work with him. However, I can't say I enjoyed my first experience of living far
from my parents. At home, I'd never been able to spend much time with my friends
due to all the training, so that wasn't such a change for me. I got used to everything
about my new life in the end, though, and my English improved quickly too!
I turned professional at the age of eighteen, three years after arriving in the USA.
I'd been taller than most players in the professional league since I was fifteen, but
had been much too light for my height, so had to get that right first. My coach
already knew a team that would take me while I was still at college, so I joined
them and have never regretted it.
1. What does Luka say about his childhood?
A. He had a great interest in basketball.
B. He enjoyed watching his father play basketball.
C. He felt proud of his father's success at basketball.
D. He knew he wanted to become a basketball player.
2. How did Luka feel before his first match at secondary school?
A. He wasn't sure that he would do well.
B. He was pleased that his parents would be there.
C. He wasn't happy about his teacher's attitude.
D. He was delighted to be part of the team.
3. Luka thinks the most difficult thing about moving to the USA was
A. learning a new language.
B. being away from his family.
C. getting a good coach.
D. missing his friends.
4. What did Luka have to do before he became a professional player?
A. complete his studies
B. find a suitable team
C. reach a certain height
D. put on weight
5. What would be a good way to introduce this article?
A. Luka Horvat has always been as interested in reading as in basketball. Here, in
his own words, he explains why.
B. Luka Horvat tells us how he became the latest member of a sporting family to
become a professional basketball player.
C. Professional basketball player Luka Horvat explains how luck has been so much
more important than hard work in his career.
D. Even though he only started playing basketball as a teenager, Luka Horvat still
managed to become a professional by the age of eighteen.
TEST 3 -2020 Read the text and questions below. For each question, mark the
letter next to the correct answer - A, B, C or D.
Ana Ronson
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter Ana Ronson grew up in Ireland. Although her parents weren't
musicians, there was always music in the house. Her grandfather played the guitar,
and taught Ana and her brother to play.
The first time Ana tried singing in front of an audience was at school - she was so
nervous that her teacher had to lead her off the stage. This teacher suggested that
joining the school theatre club might make her more confident. After attending the
club for a while, she happily sang with 50 other students at an end-of-term concert.
A year later, her brother, who was in a band, asked her to write a song for them,
and so she wrote her first ever song, Falling Stars. Writing it took just three days
and she enjoyed it so much that she enrolled on a songwriting course run by a
professional songwriter. Despite being the youngest student, she already knew
more about music than many of the others. But Ana says the teacher didn't listen to
anything she said, and she wrote Something to Say about how annoyed this made
her feel. She posted this song online, and it became a huge success. She was
delighted when people left comments saying that they loved it and found new
meanings in the words each time they heard them. Joss Alton, the owner of a
recording company called Isotope Music, flew from his office on the other side of
Ireland to ask her to join Isotope. At first she wasn't sure; she didn't know anything
about the company, and didn't want someone telling her what to sing. However,
Joss persuaded her this wouldn't happen, and a short time later she performed at a
concert in Dublin arranged by Isotope. They sold all the tickets very quickly and it
was an amazing evening.
Ana says she's less interested in writing songs about when life's good; when it's
not, there's more for her to say. One of her favourite songs is Decision, written
about why her brother stopped singing for a while, and how unhappy it made him.
While she hopes that fans will like her songs, her aim is to write about personal
experiences that matter to her.
1. What helped Ana stop being scared of singing to an audience?
A. practising her singing with a band
B. asking a teacher to stand on stage with her
C. being in a drama group at school
D. making sure she was not in the front row
2. How was the songwriting course useful for Ana?
A. She was able to meet some well-known singers.
B. The teacher's attitude gave her an idea for a song.
C. She learnt a lot from other writers on the course.
D. The teacher gave her advice about the music business.
3. Ana decided to work with Joss Alton because
A. he promised to let her choose which songs to sing.
B. he offered to help her put on a concert.
C. she liked some other singers that he worked with.
D. he owned a company in her home town.
4. Ana most enjoys writing songs that
A. she is sure her fans will like.
B. deal with difficult times.
C. her brother can sing with his band.
D. help people remember their own experiences.
Read the text and questions below. For each question, mark the letter next to
the correct answer - A, B, C or D.
My Canadian trip
by Louise Walton
Last year I went on an amazing trip - travelling by boat on a guided group tour
along the west coast of Canada. It was my brother Harry's idea. He's a journalist,
like me, and he wanted to write articles about the trip. He's also a great fan of
boats, although that's one interest we definitely don't share. But I'd dreamt of
visiting the area ever since seeing it on TV as a child, especially as I knew it was
where our great-grandparents had lived before moving to Europe. So I kept asking
Harry if I could go too - until he finally agreed!
A few weeks before we left home, there were storms in the area we were going to.
But luckily the forecast for the time we intended to be there was for calm seas.
Although there was plenty to arrange, I was busy at work so didn't have much time
to think about what needed doing. But Harry promised he'd taken care of
everything, so I knew everything would be all right.
After arriving in Canada, we joined the group, packed our limited supplies into
small boats and set off. The guide had mentioned that very few people now lived
along that coast, and sure enough, the only other living creatures we saw for the
first few days were dolphins and birds. We knew there were islands in the distance,
but the early-morning fog made it hard to see very far, so I just focussed on the
beautiful patterns our boat made in the water.
We often stopped for hours to explore the rock pools on the beaches. They were
full of amazing colored fish, many of which I didn't recognise. And it was great to
be able to stop caring about how quickly or slowly the day was passing. We never
forgot lunch or dinner, though, which we all made together over camp fires. When
we finally fell asleep on the boats each evening, even though the beds were hard, it
really felt like stress-free living!
When the time came to leave, I was sad. How could I return to normal life again?
But I knew if I stayed, I'd miss family and friends. I was also looking forward to
telling everyone at home about our adventures!
1. Why was Louise keen to go on the trip to Canada?
A. She liked the idea of spending time in a boat.
B. She knew her brother wanted her to accompany him.
C. She had wanted to travel there for a long time.
D. She had heard from some relatives who lived there.
2. Just before their departure, Louise
A. began to wonder how they would deal with bad weather.
B.was confident that they were fully prepared for the trip.
C. wished she could help her brother more.
D. felt she was better organised than usual.
3. On the first morning of the trip, Louise says she admired
A. the way the sea around them looked.
B. the wildlife which their boats attracted.
C. the homes that people had built in the area.
D. the views of islands they were passing.
4. During the trip, Louise enjoyed
A. learning the names of the fish she saw.
B. not having to cook regular meals.
C. spending the nights in comfort.
D. not having to worry about time.
5. What would Louise write in her diary during the trip?
A. There are wonderful pools along the coast, left behind by the sea.
I wish we had the time to look at them more carefully.
B. I can't believe I'm in the same place I saw on that programme ages ago. Our
great-grandparents would be amazed!
C. We've brought a lot of stuff with us in the boats I'm sure it's not all necessary.
It's surprising they don't sink!
D. It'll be hard to say goodbye to the place at the end, but I can't wait to get back to
work - I've really missed it.
TEST 1 PET 3
Read the text and questions below. For each question, mark the letter next to
the correct answer - A, B, C or D.
“The best age to start learning the violin is between three and six,' says
Margaret Porter, a violinist and music teacher. 'It's the time when you are learning
about the world.' Margaret, who lives in London, prefers to take pupils at three and
four, although she has made lots of exceptions for keen five-year-olds. When she
started teaching the violin in 1972, her first class consisted of her children's five
year-old school friends.
Margaret's pupils have group lessons. Each group has about a dozen pupils
and each lesson lasts an hour, once a fortnight. In addition, each pupil has one
individual lesson a week with her. Parents also have to attend the classes. It is
important that the parents take an active interest in the lessons.
From the earliest lessons pupils learn to play by ear. They do not even try to read
music until they have been playing for several years, and for a long time there is a
big difference between their playing and reading of music. Margaret says that her
method is not supposed to produce great violinists, and always suggests that pupils
who perform particularly well should leave and study the violin using more
traditional methods.
1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?
A. explain why Margaret likes teaching the violin
B. describe a different way of learning the violin
C. give advice on how to find a music teacher
D. explain why Margaret has a lot of pupils
2. Why should someone read the text?
A to discover how Margaret learnt the violin
B to learn why it is important to read music
C to find out about Margaret's teaching method
D to learn why children should play the violin
3. What opinion does Margaret have about her best pupils?
A They ought to find another teacher.
B They will become great violinists using her method.
C They could try harder.
D They take several years to learn to read music.
4. Margaret's first pupils were
A. her children.
B. three- and four-year-olds.
C. her own friends.
D. her children's friends.
5. Which of the following would Margaret include in an advertisement for her
classes?
A. learn to play the violin with your children – 2 lesons a week

B. watch your children learn to play the violin

C. group violin lessons for children - no more than 5 per group

D. We’ll look after your children while you learn the violin
Test 2

Read the text and questions below. • For each question, mark the letter next
to the correct answer - A, B, C or D
Atlantic College
 Last week I went to visit Atlantic College, an excellent private college in
Wales. Unusually, it gives young people much needed experience of life outside
the classroom, as well as the opportunity to study for their exams. The students,
who are aged between 16 and 18 and come from all over the world, spend the
morning studying. In the afternoon they go out and do a really useful activity, such
as helping on the farm, looking after people with learning difficulties, or checking
for pollution in rivers. One of the great things about Atlantic College students is
that they come from many different social backgrounds and countries. As few can
afford the fees of £20,000 over two years, grants are available. A quarter of the
students are British, and many of those can only attend because they receive
government help. 'I really admire the college for trying to encourage international
understanding among young people, as Barbara Molenkamp, a student from the
Netherlands, said, 'You learn to live with people and respect them, even the ones
you don't like. During the summer holidays my mother couldn't believe how much
less 1 argued with my sister.' To sum up, Atlantic College gives its students an
excellent education, using methods which really seem to work.
1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?
A. give an opinion about a particular student
B. give an opinion about a special type of education
C. describe the activities the students do in their free time
D. describe his own experience of education
2. What can a reader find out from this text?
A how to become a student at Atlantic College
B. what kind of programme Atlantic College offers
C. what the British education system is like
D. how to get along better with other people
3. What is the writer's opinion of Atlantic College?
A It doesn't allow students enough study time.
B Its students are taught to like each other.
C It doesn't give good value for money.
D Its way of teaching is successful.
4. Since being at Atlantic College, Barbara
A has learnt a lot about other countries.
B. has become more confident than her sister.
C finds it easier to get on with other people.
D prefers her new friends to her family.
5 Which advertisement uses correct information about Atlantic College?
A. Study at Atlantic College. Courses for 16-18 year olds.
Lessons all morning, sport in the afternoon.
B. Study at Atlantic College. Courses for 16-18 year olds.
Morning lessons and
afternoon activities. Help with fees available.
C. Study at Atlantic College. Classes on international topics.
Many free places are available. Students of all ages are welcome.
D. Study at Atlantic College. Learn English in a beautiful place.
Lots of weekend activities. Help with fees available.
TEST 3
 Read the text and questions below. • For each question, mark the letter next
to the correct answer - A, B, C or D
To: The Manager of Mezzo Mash Restaurant
Dear Sir,
Last Tuesday evening I went with two friends to your restaurant for my 18th
birthday. I'd booked the table for eight o'clock and we arrived about ten minutes
late, but that was not a problem. The waiter, who was very polite, showed us to our
table and we studied the menu. I ordered a fish pie and my friends ordered some
salads. However, after about fifteen minutes, the waiter informed us that there was
no more fish pie. He apologised and suggested ordering something else. I looked at
the menu again and decided to have the same as my friends - a salad. When the
food came, it was very good. After we'd finished, we decided to order some
desserts. The waiter said that, unfortunately, it was too late. There wasn't enough
time for us to order desserts. He said he was very sorry but our table was reserved
by another group at nine thirty and we would have to leave. We paid the bill and
left feeling very disappointed. It spoilt my birthday. Nobody told us when we
arrived that there was a time limit. It was very unsatisfactory and I doubt that we'll
go to your restaurant again. Yours faithfully, Martin Cary
1. What is Martin Cary trying to do in the letter?
A. make an enquiry
B. cancel a booking
C. make a complaint
D. offer a suggestion
2. What will the restaurant manager discover from the letter?
A. One of his waiters behaved badly
B. Some customers had a bad experience.
C. His food is unsatisfactory.
D. He charges too much for the meals.
3. What does Martin think about their experience?
A They got to the restaurant too late.
B There was not much choice on the menu.
C They won't return to the restaurant.
D The food took too long to arrive.
4. Martin and his friends couldn't have any dessert because
A someone had booked their table.
B. they had to be home by 9.30.
C. it was too expensive.
D. there was none left.
5. What did Martin's friends say as they left the restaurant?
A. I didn't like my salad. I wish I'd had fish pie like you.
B. Never mind, let's go and get some ice cream at Rick's.
C. I hope you didn't leave the waiter a tip- he was so unfriendly.
D. It's a pity there wasn't enough birthday cake.
PET 5
Read the text and questions below. • For each question, mark the letter next
to the correct answer - A, B, C or D
New TV Star
Caroline Benson talks about her first TV role
'I never expected to spend some of my first year at university filming The
Finnegans. I'd only ever acted at school, but I'd loved the book since I was eleven.
My grandmother used to say I was just like Polly Finnegan and I always imagined
myself playing her. I'd taken a year off to go travelling before university. While I
was in Chile, my mother emailed me to say there were plans to turn the book into a
TV drama. I knew I had to go for the part. She was surprised at first, but sent my
photograph to the director and persuaded him to meet me. I flew back and got the
part. The outdoor filming started a week into term, so I got permission from the
university to be away for three weeks. Once I was back at university, I got up at
6.00 am to write the essays I'd missed. I didn't tell my university friends, but they
found out and thought it was great. It was an amazing experience - I'm so lucky.
After university, I definitely want to make acting my career. I'm not from an acting
family, though my grandfather was an opera singer. I've tried for other TV parts
but haven't received any offers yet. I don't know how I managed it all, because I
had a full social life too. When filming finished, I hardly knew what to do. I've
since appeared in two college plays. Unfortunately, I haven't been home much and
now my first year at university is over, I'm off to Greece for the summer with
friends.
1. In this text, Caroline Benson is
A. advising students to finish studying before taking up acting.
B. describing how pleased she was about this opportunity to act.
C. warning other young people that acting is a difficult career.
D. explaining why she has always wanted to be an actor.
2. Why did Caroline decide to try for a part in the Finnegans?
A. She thought the book would make a great TV drama.
B. She agreed with her grandmother that she should apply.
C. She felt she was perfect for the part of Polly.
D. She was anxious about starting university.
3. What does Caroline say about her mother?
A She encouraged Caroline to keep travelling.
B She felt Caroline would be a good actor.
C She was sorry she had emailed Caroline.
D She helped Caroline to get the part.
4. How did Caroline manage to find time to do the filming?
A She missed lectures and hoped nobody would notice.
B She delayed going to university until filming was over.
C She took time off and did her college work later.
D She asked her friends to help with her essays.
5. Which of the following would Caroline write to a penfriend?
A. I'm going to continue with my studies, but hope to have the opportunity to do
another TV programme soon.
B. Now I've finished both the filming and my first year at university, I plan to
spend more time with my family.
C. I enjoyed filming the TV drama but I've missed having a social life - I don't
know what to do at weekends.
D. Acting is more difficult than I'd expected, but I've learned a lot from other
members of my family who work in the business.
TEST 2 Read the text and questions below. • For each question, mark the letter
next to the correct answer - A, B, C or D.
Maria Mutola
Former 800 metres Olympic champion
In 1988, Maria Mutola was playing football as the only girl in an all-boys team in a
local competition in Mozambique. 'We won,' she said. 'At first no one thought it
was a problem that I was a girl. But then the team we beat complained.' The story
appeared in a local newspaper and José Craveirinha, who had encouraged other
African athletes, learnt about Maria. He went to meet her and found her kicking a
ball around outside the football club. He realised immediately that she was fast. 'He
talked to me about athletics. I had no idea what he meant. The only sport I knew
about was football. Then he bought me running shoes and took me training. It was
such hard work and my legs really ached.' But José visited her parents and
persuaded them she could be successful and this would help end their poverty.
They agreed to let him take her away to train. In 1991, she finally accepted an
invitation to train in the United States. She had refused previously because she
knew she would miss her family. Her background was unlike those of the girls she
met in the US. She explains, 'They were good athletes but, while I worried about
my parents having enough to eat, they worried about dresses and make-up. They
knew very little about me and even less about my problems. But I knew I was
lucky to be there. The trainers were brilliant and I learnt a lot.' Today, Maria still
runs and for most of the year she lives happily in South Africa with her mother.
1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?
A persuade more Africans to take up athletics
B describe how Maria became a top athlete
C give information about Mozambique
D explain how Maria manages to stay fit
2. José Craveirinha found out about Maria when
A he went to watch a local football competition.
B she was blamed for her team losing a football competition.
C he saw an article about her role in a football match.
D people complained about another member of her football team.
3. When José first introduced Maria to athletics, she
A didn't know what was involved.
B was worried about being injured.
C was keen to learn everything he knew.
D didn't think her family would approve.
4. What does Maria say about the girls she met in the United States?
A They did not make full use of their abilities.
B Their training programmes were less demanding than hers.
C They did not show enough respect for the trainers.
D Their experiences of life were very different from hers.
5. What would Maria say about her life?
A José has made all my dreams possible. From the first day we met, I was certain I
wanted to become a top athlete.
B My life hasn't always been easy but I've had many opportunities. Running is
important to me and so is my family
C I regret becoming involved in athletics. It was horrible leaving Mozambique and
my parents. I'd like to go back to football.
D The US has some wonderful training facilities, so I'm glad that I agreed to go
when I was first offered the chance.
TEST 3 Read the text and questions below. • For each question, mark the letter
next to the correct answer - A, B, C or D.
Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis, 13, is the youngest son of Alan, an engineer, and Kath, a nursery
teacher. His older brothers work in banking and computers, but Gareth's dream was
always to become a clown. Three years ago, Alan, Kath and Gareth joined the
circus. 'People laugh when we tell them,' says Kath. 'But it's true. Gareth has
wanted to be a clown since we took him to the circus when he was three.' When
Alan lost his job, he and Kath decided to see if they could find full-time circus
jobs. They both got jobs with a famous circus and Gareth began training to become
a clown. He calls himself Bippo. They travel with the circus during the summer
and return home for the winter. Gareth's brothers are old enough to look after the
house while they are away. 'I can't say it was easy,' says Kath. 'There was a lot to
think about and organise. We only had a car and a very small caravan to sleep in,
and we were leaving behind our lovely house. The only thing Gareth missed was
his long, hot baths.'
'People ask about my education,' says Gareth, 'but from the beginning, wherever
we go, someone has always come to teach me. I follow the same books as
everyone back at school and I've got a computer. I've never fallen behind my
classmates.' And the future? 'It was a difficult decision,' says Kath, 'but there was
no other way to teach Gareth about being a clown. I'm happy to say it's working,
and we're enjoying it.' And Gareth? 'I'm going to be the main clown in a circus one
day', he says, 'perhaps Bippo's circus.'
1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?
A describe how one family changed their lives
B give details about how to join the circus
C talk about the best way to educate a child
D advise what to do when you lose your job
2. What would a reader learn about Gareth from the text?
A He does not enjoy school work.
B He has a definite aim in life.
C He would like to be at home with his brothers.
D He wants to be the same as other boys.
3. Alan and Kath joined the circus because
A they wanted to spend time travelling in the summer.
B they needed money in order to buy a bigger car.
C their older sons needed their house for themselves.
D their youngest son wanted to train as a performer.
4. When they first joined the circus, Kath
A wanted to go back home.
B did not have enough to do.
C found things difficult.
D was not able to sleep properly.
5. Which postcard did Gareth write just after he joined the circus?
A We've just arrived and I love it already. There's lots of space for our things and
I've even got my own computer.
B I don't miss much from home. I'm managing to do all my school work. See you
in the winter.
C I really enjoyed meeting Bippo the Clown today, but I'm missing my school
friends, and I'd love a nice hot bath.
D I'm learning all about the circus and how to entertain people. I also have a new
school to go to