Your first full lesson from the B1 Preliminary (PET) course. Grammar, reading, listening, speaking and writing practice, exactly as your tutor would teach it live.
Vocabulary ThemePersonal information, daily routines, free time
Writing TaskAn informal email to a friend, about 100 words
2. Warm-Up Vocabulary
Before the grammar, make sure you're comfortable with this unit's core vocabulary. These words appear throughout the reading, listening and speaking tasks below.
Word / Phrase
Meaning
routine
the things you regularly do, in the usual order
commute
to travel to work or school regularly
part-time / full-time
working fewer hours per week / working standard full hours
get on with (someone)
to have a good relationship with someone
free time / spare time
time when you're not working or studying
keen on (something)
enthusiastic about, interested in
colleague
a person you work with
currently
at the present time, now
flatmate / roommate
someone you share a home with
get used to (something)
to gradually become familiar and comfortable with something
look forward to (something)
to feel happy and excited about something that will happen
take up (a hobby)
to start doing an activity regularly
be based in (a place)
to have your main work location somewhere
settle in
to become comfortable in a new place or situation
day off
a day when you don't have to work
rush hour
the busiest time on public transport, usually morning and evening
Vocabulary Check — Complete with a word or phrase from the table above
1. I'm ___ a new team this month, so I'm still ___ to the new office.
2. My ___ from work, Sam, is teaching me to play tennis, I've just ___ it ___ as a new hobby.
3. I really ___ my weekend, I'm ___ going to the beach with friends.
4. The trains are always so busy during ___, I hate ___ into the city at 8am.
5. I work ___, only three days a week, so I have plenty of ___ for my hobbies.
6. I really ___ my new ___, we split all the housework fairly and get on really well.
Show Answers
1. based in, getting used 2. colleague, taken, up 3. look forward to, currently 4. rush hour, commuting 5. part-time, free time 6. get on with, flatmate
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Try this before moving on
Say one sentence out loud using each word above about your own life. This is exactly the kind of active recall that makes vocabulary stick, and it's exactly what your tutor would ask you to do live.
3. Grammar Focus: Present Simple vs Present Continuous
This is one of the very first things PET examiners listen and read for, and it's tested in Speaking Part 1 in almost every single exam. Get comfortable with this distinction and you'll sound confident from the first question.
Present Simple
Present Continuous
Habits, routines, facts
Actions happening right now, or temporary situations
I work in a hospital.
I'm working from home this week.
She usually gets up at 7am.
She's getting ready for an exam at the moment.
For a complete breakdown of both tenses, including every rule, signal word and exercise, see our full free guides: Present Simple and Present Simple vs Continuous. This unit assumes you've read those, and focuses specifically on how PET tests this grammar point.
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PET Speaking Part 1 tip
Examiners almost always ask "What do you do?" (present simple, your job/studies) and "What are you doing these days?" or similar (present continuous, something temporary or current). Mixing these up is one of the most common ways candidates lose marks in the first two minutes of the exam.
Common Mistakes at This Level
❌ Incorrect
✅ Correct
Why
I'm work in a bank.
I work in a bank.
A permanent job/fact needs present simple, not continuous.
What you do at the moment?
What are you doing at the moment?
Present continuous questions need "are/is" before the subject.
She don't like her new schedule.
She doesn't like her new schedule.
Third person singular negative needs "doesn't," not "don't."
I'm knowing my new colleagues well.
I know my new colleagues well.
"Know" is a stative verb, never used in continuous forms.
Currently, I study for my exams. (meant: right now)
Currently, I'm studying for my exams.
"Currently" describing a temporary, ongoing situation usually pairs with the continuous.
Full Practice Set
A. Gap Fill — Complete with the correct form (12 questions)
1. I usually ___ (travel) to work by bus, but this week I ___ (travel) by bike because my car is broken.
2. My sister ___ (study) medicine at university, and right now she ___ (prepare) for her final exams.
3. ___ you ___ (like) your new job?
4. We ___ (not/usually/eat) out, but we ___ (celebrate) a birthday tonight.
5. He ___ (work) from home this month while the office is being renovated.
6. My parents ___ (live) in Manchester, they moved there five years ago.
7. ___ she ___ (get on) well with her new flatmate?
8. I ___ (not/know) the answer, sorry.
9. Look! It ___ (rain) again, and we ___ (not/have) an umbrella.
10. What time ___ the shops usually ___ (close) on Sundays?
11. She ___ (take) a few days off next week, so she won't be in the office.
12. I ___ (think) about changing jobs at the moment, but I haven't decided yet.
Show Answers
1. travel, am travelling 2. studies, is preparing 3. Do...like 4. don't usually eat, are celebrating 5. is working 6. live 7. Does...get on 8. don't know 9. is raining, don't have 10. do...close 11. is taking 12. am thinking
B. Multiple Choice (8 questions)
1. I ___ in an office in the city centre. (a) work (b) am working
2. ___ you free this evening? (a) Do (b) Are
3. She ___ her new commute at the moment, it's much longer than before. (a) hates (b) is hating
4. We ___ a new flat this month, so things are a bit chaotic. (a) look for (b) are looking for
5. My brother ___ three languages. (a) speaks (b) is speaking
6. ___ she usually ___ to work, or does she drive? (a) Does...walk (b) Is...walking
7. I can't talk now, I ___ dinner. (a) cook (b) am cooking
8. They ___ every Saturday morning. (a) go to the gym (b) are going to the gym
Show Answers
1.a 2.b 3.a 4.b 5.a 6.a 7.b 8.a
C. Error Correction (6 questions)
1. I'm work in a bank in the city centre.
2. What you do at the moment?
3. She don't like her new schedule.
4. I'm knowing my new colleagues quite well already.
5. He usually don't take the train, but today he is.
6. We are living in this city since 2020. (should be present simple for a permanent fact)
Show Answers
1. I work in a bank in the city centre. 2. What are you doing at the moment? 3. She doesn't like her new schedule. 4. I know my new colleagues quite well already. 5. He usually doesn't take the train, but today he is. 6. We live in this city, we moved here in 2020.
Mini Quiz — Check Yourself
4. PET Reading Part 1 Practice
Reading Part 1 gives you five short, real-world texts, signs, notices, messages, labels, and one multiple-choice question per text (three options: A, B or C). It tests whether you can understand the core message quickly and accurately, not every single word.
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Exam technique
Read the question and all three options first, then read the short text. You're looking for the option that matches the overall meaning, not just a text that repeats the same words as one of the options, PET often deliberately includes a "wrong" answer using matching vocabulary.
Try It Yourself
Text 1
GYM MEMBERS Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your class starts. If you're late, you may not be allowed to join the session.
What does the notice tell gym members?
A. Classes start 10 minutes early for members.
B. You should not be late for a class.
C. Late members must wait for the next class.
Show Answer
Answer: B. The notice warns that arriving late might mean you can't join, so the core message is "don't be late." Option A misreads "arrive 10 minutes before" as the class itself starting early. Option C overstates what the text actually says, it says you "may not be allowed to join," not that you definitely have to wait for the next one.
Text 2
Sam, Gone to pick up Lily from school, back by 4. There's pasta in the fridge if you're hungry before then, just heat it up. Mum
Why did Mum leave this note?
A. To ask Sam to cook dinner.
B. To explain where she is and offer food.
C. To tell Sam to collect Lily from school.
Show Answer
Answer: B. The note explains her location ("gone to pick up Lily") and offers food ("there's pasta... if you're hungry"). She isn't asking Sam to cook (A), just to heat something up if needed. She is collecting Lily herself, not asking Sam to do it (C).
Text 3
Office Notice: The lift is out of service today. Please use the stairs. We apologise for any inconvenience.
What does this notice tell staff?
A. The stairs are closed for cleaning.
B. They need to find another way upstairs.
C. The lift will be fixed later today.
Show Answer
Answer: B. "Use the stairs" is a direct instruction to take an alternative route, not a comment about the stairs themselves (A). Nothing in the notice promises a fix time (C).
Text 4
Hey, running about 10 mins late, the bus didn't show up. Order me a coffee if you get there first?
What does the person want their friend to do?
A. Wait for them outside.
B. Get on a different bus.
C. Buy them a drink if they arrive first.
Show Answer
Answer: C. "Order me a coffee if you get there first" is a direct request. There's no mention of waiting outside (A), and the bus detail simply explains the delay, it isn't an instruction about buses (B).
Text 5
Free Wi-Fi for customers. Ask a member of staff for today's password.
How can a customer get the Wi-Fi password?
A. It's written on the wall.
B. They can ask a staff member.
C. It's the same password every day.
Show Answer
Answer: B. "Ask a member of staff" directly states the method. Nothing suggests it's written anywhere (A), and "today's password" implies it changes daily, ruling out C.
Now You Try — Independent Practice
Now try five more on your own, without a walkthrough. Apply the same technique: read the question and options first, then the text.
1."Staff must wash hands before returning to the kitchen." What does this sign tell staff to do? (a) Clean the kitchen (b) Wash their hands before entering (c) Avoid the kitchen
2."Sorry I missed your call, in a meeting until 3, will call back after." What is the person doing? (a) Explaining they'll return the call later (b) Asking for a meeting (c) Cancelling the call permanently
3."Tickets must be shown on request throughout your journey." What does this notice tell passengers? (a) Buy a ticket before boarding (b) Keep their ticket accessible during travel (c) Tickets are checked only at the station
4."Reduced to £2, best before Friday." What does this label tell a shopper? (a) The item is discounted and should be used soon (b) The item is no longer for sale after Friday (c) The price increases on Friday
5."Please turn off all equipment before leaving the lab." What are lab users asked to do? (a) Leave the equipment running (b) Switch everything off when they leave (c) Report broken equipment before leaving
Show Answers
1. b 2. a 3. b 4. a 5. b
5. PET Listening Part 1 Practice
Listening Part 1 plays seven short recordings, each with one picture-based multiple-choice question. In the full course, every unit includes real recorded audio in an examiner's voice. For this free lesson, here's the script so you can still practise the listening skill itself, focus, extract key detail, ignore irrelevant information.
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In the full course
Units 2 to 10 include professionally recorded native-speaker audio for every listening task, played at real exam speed, exactly as you'll hear it on exam day. Reading a script is useful practice, but it isn't a substitute for training your ear, which is why this is one of the first things unlocked when you enrol.
Script
Woman: Are you coming to the gym later? Man: I can't today, actually. I've got a dentist appointment at 5, and then I'm meeting my brother for dinner. Woman: Oh, okay. Tomorrow then? Man: Yeah, tomorrow's perfect, I'm free all evening.
Question: When will the man go to the gym?
A. Today, after the dentist.
B. Today, after dinner.
C. Tomorrow.
Show Answer
Answer: C. The man lists two things happening today (dentist, then dinner) that mean he can't go to the gym today. He confirms tomorrow works ("tomorrow's perfect"). PET listening often gives you two or three pieces of information before the real answer, the correct choice is usually the last, confirmed detail, not the first thing mentioned.
Script 2
Man: How's the new flat working out? Woman: Really well, actually. It's smaller than my old place, but it's so much closer to work, I can walk now instead of taking two buses. Man: That's great. Do you miss the extra space? Woman: A little, but honestly, the shorter commute makes up for it completely.
Question: What does the woman like most about her new flat?
A. It's bigger than her old flat.
B. It's much closer to her workplace.
C. It has more space than she expected.
Show Answer
Answer: B. She directly says the flat is "smaller" (ruling out A), and frames the shorter commute as the thing that "makes up for" the lost space, making B the main point, not C, which isn't mentioned at all.
Script 3
Woman: Are you still going to that yoga class on Thursdays? Man: I was, but I've actually switched to Tuesdays now, it fits my work schedule much better. Woman: Oh nice, is it the same instructor? Man: Yeah, same one, just a different day.
Question: Which day does the man now go to his yoga class?
A. Thursday.
B. Tuesday.
C. He no longer goes to yoga.
Show Answer
Answer: B. "I've switched to Tuesdays now" directly updates the earlier information. This is a classic PET pattern, the first day mentioned (Thursday) is not the answer, it's the outdated detail being corrected.
Script 4 — Now You Try
Man: Did you finish the report? Woman: Almost, I was going to finish it this morning, but I ended up in back-to-back meetings. I'll send it first thing tomorrow instead. Man: No problem, there's no rush.
Question: When will the woman send the report?
A. This morning.
B. Later today.
C. Tomorrow.
Show Answer
Answer: C. Try this one yourself first, then check: "I'll send it first thing tomorrow instead" overrides the earlier plan to finish "this morning," which was disrupted by meetings.
6. PET Speaking Part 1 Practice
Speaking Part 1 is a short interview, the examiner asks you and your partner questions about yourselves: home, family, work or studies, daily routine and interests. It lasts about 2-3 minutes and is designed to put you at ease while checking your basic personal-information fluency.
Question Bank by Topic
Topic
Typical Questions
Home & background
Where are you from? How long have you lived there? Do you live in a house or a flat?
Work / study
What do you do? Are you working or studying? What do you like most about it?
Daily routine
What time do you usually get up? How do you get to work or school?
Free time
What do you usually do in your free time? What are you doing this weekend?
Future plans
What are your plans for next year? Are you planning to travel anywhere soon?
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Model answer 1"What do you usually do in your free time?"
"I usually spend my free time playing football with friends on weekends, and I'm quite keen on cooking too, I'm actually trying a new recipe this evening, which I'm pretty excited about."
Notice this answer does three things well: it directly answers with present simple ("I usually spend"), adds a second detail for range ("I'm quite keen on"), and finishes with a natural present continuous aside ("I'm trying... this evening"), exactly the kind of tense-mixing control examiners are listening for.
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Model answer 2"What do you do?"
"I currently work as a graphic designer for a small marketing agency. I've been there for about two years now, and I'm actually working on a big project for a client at the moment, so things are pretty busy this month."
This answer combines a permanent fact (present simple: "I work") with a current, temporary detail (present continuous: "I'm working on"), showing the examiner range rather than a single flat sentence.
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Model answer 3"How do you usually get to work or school?"
"Most days I take the bus, it's about 30 minutes, but this week I'm actually walking because the weather's been really nice."
A strong, natural way to contrast a routine ("most days I take") with a temporary exception ("this week I'm walking"), which examiners specifically listen for at this level.
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Your turn
Answer these five questions out loud, aiming for 2-3 sentences each, mixing present simple facts with a present continuous detail where natural: Where are you from? What do you do? What's your daily routine like? What do you usually do at weekends? What are your plans for next month?
In your live tutor sessions from Unit 2 onwards, you'll practise these exact question types out loud with real-time correction, not just read model answers. That live feedback loop is what actually builds exam-day confidence.
7. PET Writing Part 1: Email
Writing Part 1 gives you a short email or message from someone, with three content points you must respond to. You write a reply of about 100 words. Every content point you miss costs marks, even if your grammar and vocabulary are excellent.
Task
Read this email from your English friend Jamie, and write your reply.
"Hi! I heard you started a new job. How's it going? What's your typical day like now? Let me know when you're free to catch up!"
Write an email to Jamie. In your email, you should:
tell Jamie how the new job is going
describe what a typical day looks like
suggest a time to meet
Write about 100 words.
Model Answer
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for asking! The new job is going really well, I'm enjoying it much more than I expected. Every day I get up at 7, take the train into the city, and start work at 9. I usually have lunch with my colleagues, and I finish around 5:30, so I'm still getting used to the new routine!
Are you free this Saturday afternoon? I'd love to catch up and tell you everything properly.
Speak soon,
Alex
Why This Answer Works
Content Point
Covered?
How the job is going
✅ "going really well... enjoying it much more than I expected"
Typical day
✅ Uses present simple naturally: "I get up... I usually have lunch... I finish around 5:30"
Suggests a time to meet
✅ "Are you free this Saturday afternoon?"
Register
✅ Informal, friendly tone matching the original email ("Hi Jamie," "Speak soon")
Length
✅ Approximately 95 words, close to the 100-word target
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Now try it yourself
Cover the model answer above and write your own reply to Jamie's email before reading it. Comparing your own attempt to the model is far more useful than just reading someone else's answer, this is exactly the kind of task your tutor would set and personally mark in the full course.
Now You Try: A Second Task
Here's a second Writing Part 1 task. Write your own reply (about 100 words) before checking the self-assessment checklist below, no model answer this time, so you get real practice without the temptation to just copy a pattern.
Task
Read this email from your English friend Robin, and write your reply.
"Hey! I heard you moved to a new flat. What's it like? Is it near your work? Let me know if I can come and see it sometime!"
Write an email to Robin. In your email, you should:
describe your new flat
say whether it's near your work
invite Robin to visit
Write about 100 words.
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Self-Assessment Checklist
Before you consider the task finished, check your reply against every point:
☐ Did you describe the flat itself (size, location, what you like about it)?
☐ Did you clearly say whether it's near work (using present simple for the fact)?
☐ Did you invite Robin to visit, with a suggestion of when?
☐ Is the tone informal and friendly, matching Robin's email?
☐ Is your reply approximately 100 words, not far under or over?
☐ Did you mix present simple and present continuous naturally, where it fits?
In the full course, this exact task would be personally marked by your tutor against the real Cambridge assessment criteria, with specific feedback on what's holding your score back.
8. Unit 1 Exam Tips & Common Mistakes
A quick round-up of the mistakes that come up most often across everything covered in this unit, worth reviewing once more before you move on.
Skill
Common Mistake
Fix
Speaking Part 1
Only using present simple, even for temporary situations
Add a present continuous detail for range: "I usually... but this week I'm..."
Reading Part 1
Choosing the option that repeats words from the text, rather than its actual meaning
Ask what the text wants the reader to know or do, not which option "looks" familiar
Listening Part 1
Selecting the first answer mentioned, not the final, confirmed detail
Listen to the whole exchange, speakers often correct or update the first thing they say
Writing Part 1
Missing one of the three required content points
Tick off each content point from the task before you finish writing
Writing Part 1
Writing significantly more or less than 100 words
Aim for 90-110 words, roughly five to seven sentences
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, exactly. Every unit in the full course follows this same structure: vocabulary, grammar focus with full practice, and all four exam skills, at the same depth you've seen here.
No, you're welcome to enrol at any point. Working through Unit 1 first just helps you confirm the course and level are the right fit before you commit.
This course is designed for students at a solid A2 or early B1 level. If Unit 1's grammar and reading felt too difficult, we'd recommend some general English lessons first.
Yes. Units 2 to 10 include professionally recorded native-speaker audio for every listening task, at real exam speed. Unit 1 uses scripts only, since production audio is one of the things unlocked with enrolment.
Yes, every writing task in the full course is personally marked against the real Cambridge B1 Preliminary assessment criteria, with specific, actionable feedback, not just a model answer to compare yourself against.
Each unit takes roughly 60-90 minutes to work through, plus your live tutor session. Most students complete the full 10-unit course in 8-12 weeks, studying at a steady, sustainable pace.
10. Unit 1 Summary & What's Next
✅ You've Completed Unit 1
GrammarPresent Simple vs Present Continuous, and how PET tests it
ReadingPET Reading Part 1 technique, with two full practice texts
ListeningPET Listening Part 1 style and technique
SpeakingSpeaking Part 1 model answers and structure
WritingA complete Writing Part 1 email task, fully marked and explained
That's a genuinely complete first lesson, the same depth and structure every unit in the full course follows. Here's what's waiting in Units 2 to 10:
Unit 2 – Then and Now: Past Simple vs Past Continuous, and your first PET story-writing task
Unit 3 – Life So Far: Present Perfect, and Reading/Listening Part 3
Units 4–9: Future forms, comparatives, modals, conditionals, passive voice and reported speech, each mapped to its exact PET task type
Unit 10 – Exam Ready: A full, timed mock exam across all four papers, marked with detailed feedback
The difference between working through this alone and working through it with a tutor is exactly what you'd expect: live correction the moment you make a mistake, real recorded listening audio, and every writing task personally marked against the actual Cambridge criteria, not just a model answer to compare yourself against.
📅 Ready to Start Unit 2?
Book a free consultation and we'll confirm B1 Preliminary is the right exam for you, then get you straight into Unit 2 with a live tutor.