PET (Preliminary English Test) Practice
Questions with Answers and Explanations
Part 1: Reading & Writing - Multiple Choice (Signs, Notices, Messages)
1. Text: "Customers are reminded that this car park is for staff use only."
Question: What does this sign mean?
A) Staff cannot park here.
B) You must park here if you are a customer.
,C) Only people who work here can park here.
Answer: C
Rationale: The text explicitly states the car park is for "staff use only," meaning solely for employees. Option C correctly paraphrases this. A is incorrect, and
B contradicts the sign.
2. Text: "Please return all library books by Friday 20th May."
Question: What should you do?
A) Borrow books on the 20th of May.
B) Give the books back before or on that date.
C) Buy new books for the library.
Answer: B
Rationale: "Return" means to give back. The instruction is to return them by a specific date. Option B is the only accurate interpretation.
3. Text: "DO NOT DISTURB - Meeting in Progress"
Question: What does this sign mean?
A) You can enter quietly.
B) You should not interrupt the people inside.
C) The meeting has finished.
,Answer: B
Rationale: "Do not disturb" is a direct instruction to not interrupt or bother the people inside. The meeting in progress is the reason why.
4. Text: "Course fees must be paid in advance."
Question: When do you pay for the course?
A) At the end of the course.
B) After you have attended a few lessons.
C) Before the course starts.
Answer: C
Rationale: "In advance" means before the event takes place. Option C is the correct synonym.
5. Text: "Refreshments available in the cafeteria."
Question: What can you get in the cafeteria?
A) Books
B) Food and drink
C) Tickets
Answer: B
Rationale: "Refreshments" is a general term for light food and drinks.
, 6. Text: "Seats are reserved for disabled passengers."
Question: Who can use these seats?
A) Any passenger.
B) Passengers with a disability.
C) Passengers with children.
Answer: B
Rationale: "Reserved for" means kept specifically for. The sign clearly states they are for "disabled passengers."
7. Text: "Reduction on all winter coats while stocks last."
Question: Why are the coats cheaper?
A) Because it is winter.
B) Because there is a sale.
C) Because they are not very good quality.
Answer: B
Rationale: "Reduction" means a price decrease. This, combined with "while stocks last," indicates a sale event.
8. Text: "Please switch off your mobile phone in the cinema."
Question: What do you have to do in the cinema?
A) Turn your phone on.
Questions with Answers and Explanations
Part 1: Reading & Writing - Multiple Choice (Signs, Notices, Messages)
1. Text: "Customers are reminded that this car park is for staff use only."
Question: What does this sign mean?
A) Staff cannot park here.
B) You must park here if you are a customer.
,C) Only people who work here can park here.
Answer: C
Rationale: The text explicitly states the car park is for "staff use only," meaning solely for employees. Option C correctly paraphrases this. A is incorrect, and
B contradicts the sign.
2. Text: "Please return all library books by Friday 20th May."
Question: What should you do?
A) Borrow books on the 20th of May.
B) Give the books back before or on that date.
C) Buy new books for the library.
Answer: B
Rationale: "Return" means to give back. The instruction is to return them by a specific date. Option B is the only accurate interpretation.
3. Text: "DO NOT DISTURB - Meeting in Progress"
Question: What does this sign mean?
A) You can enter quietly.
B) You should not interrupt the people inside.
C) The meeting has finished.
,Answer: B
Rationale: "Do not disturb" is a direct instruction to not interrupt or bother the people inside. The meeting in progress is the reason why.
4. Text: "Course fees must be paid in advance."
Question: When do you pay for the course?
A) At the end of the course.
B) After you have attended a few lessons.
C) Before the course starts.
Answer: C
Rationale: "In advance" means before the event takes place. Option C is the correct synonym.
5. Text: "Refreshments available in the cafeteria."
Question: What can you get in the cafeteria?
A) Books
B) Food and drink
C) Tickets
Answer: B
Rationale: "Refreshments" is a general term for light food and drinks.
, 6. Text: "Seats are reserved for disabled passengers."
Question: Who can use these seats?
A) Any passenger.
B) Passengers with a disability.
C) Passengers with children.
Answer: B
Rationale: "Reserved for" means kept specifically for. The sign clearly states they are for "disabled passengers."
7. Text: "Reduction on all winter coats while stocks last."
Question: Why are the coats cheaper?
A) Because it is winter.
B) Because there is a sale.
C) Because they are not very good quality.
Answer: B
Rationale: "Reduction" means a price decrease. This, combined with "while stocks last," indicates a sale event.
8. Text: "Please switch off your mobile phone in the cinema."
Question: What do you have to do in the cinema?
A) Turn your phone on.
