CAMBRIDGE

CAMBRIDGE E X A M I N AT I O N S , C E RT I F I C AT E S & D I P L O M A S

PET

P R E L I M I N A RY E N G L I S H T E S T PA R T 3 O F 3

S A M P L E PA P E R S

English as a Foreign Language

SAMPLE TEST - LISTENING

2 Listening Part 1 Questions 1-7 ●

There are seven questions in this Part.

●

For each question there are four pictures and a short recording.

●

You will hear each recording twice.

●

For each question, look at the pictures and listen to the recording.

●

Choose the correct picture and put a tick (✓) in the box below it.

Example: What’s the time?

A 1

✓

D

B

C

D

B

C

D

What does Mr Jones look like?

A

Page 2

C

B

What will Chris get for his birthday?

A 3

D

When and where are they meeting?

A

2

C

B

3 4

Where is he going to plant the tree?

A

5

D

B

C

D

B

C

D

C

D

Which is Gary’s room?

A

7

C

What is the man going to buy?

A

6

B

Which is the best vehicle for the man?

A

B

[Turn over

Page 3


4 Part 2 Questions 8-13 ● Look at the questions for this Part. ● You will hear a recorded message about an arts festival. ● Put a tick (✓) in the correct box for each question.

8

9

The Festival takes place from

What is on at the Theatre Royal on 19 May?

A

12 to 18 May.

B

12 to 20 May.

C

12 to 28 May.

D

12 to 29 May.

A

jazz

B

opera

C

dance

D

classical music

A

soft drinks and sandwiches.

B

wine and light meals.

C

wine and sandwiches.

D

soft drinks and light meals.

A

music

B

poetry

C

drama

D

films

A

a walk and a book reading

B

a concert and a meal

C

a talk and a meal

D

a walk and a concert

A

by post.

B

by fax.

C

by telephone.

D

in person.

10 During lunchtime jazz concerts at the Corn Exchange they sell

11 What is on at the cathedral?

12 What does the Festival programme offer at Ickworth?

13 You can’t use a credit card if you book

Page 4

5 Part 3 Questions 14-19 ● ● ● ●

Look at the notes about The Language Study Fair. Some information is missing. You will hear an organiser talking on the radio about the Fair. For each question, fill in the missing information in the numbered space.

The Language Study Fair Dates:

17th to 19th (14) ..................................................................

Place:

National Education Centre

Fair includes:

●

stands with textbooks

●

(15) ........................................by educational speakers

●

exhibition of furniture

●

demonstrations of latest (16) ........................................... ...........................................

Opening hours:

9.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Thursday and Friday 9.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. (17) ....................................................

Tickets:

£5 or £3 for (18) ........................................................................

Tickets can be booked by ringing the hotline on (19) ............................................

[Turn over

Page 5


6 Part 4 Questions 20-25 ● Look at the six statements for this Part. ● You will hear a conversation between a female student, Kate, and a male student, George. They are having lunch in the college canteen. ● Decide if you think each statement is correct or incorrect. ● If you think it is correct, put a tick (✓) in the box under A for YES. If you think it is not correct, put a tick (✓) in the box under B for NO.

A YES

20 20

Kate has stopped taking her medicine.

21 21

George thinks Kate should stay away from class.

22 20

Kate had an accident on her bike last week.

23 20

George thinks Mr Gray is a lazy lecturer.

24 20

Kate will miss three lectures.

25 20

Kate wants to stay at home at the weekend.

Page 6

B NO

SAMPLE TESTS The material in the Sample Tests on the previous pages has been reduced in size. The photographs for Part 3 of the Speaking Test (page 41) are in colour in the real test materials.

Page 7

L I S T E N I N G - C A N D I DAT E A N S W E R S H E E T

Page 8

TA P E S C R I P T

Man:

RUBRIC = R

Woman: Well, he’s about 40 years old, bald, with a moustache. He’s got large ears and he wears glasses.

R:

This is the Cambridge Preliminary English Test. There are four Parts to the Test. You will hear each recording twice. During the Test there will be a pause before each Part to allow you to look through the questions, and other pauses to let you think about your answers. You should write your answers on the Question Paper. You will have twelve minutes at the end to transfer your answers to the separate answer sheet.

So could you describe Mr Jones for me please, Madam?

pause - repeat - pause R:

Four: Where is he going to plant the tree?

Woman: Where are you going to plant the tree? By the front door? Man:

Part One

No, that would be silly. It’ll grow too big. I’m going to put it at the back of the garage. When it’s grown, it’ll give us some shade in the summer.

There are seven questions in this Part. For each question there are four pictures and a short recording. You will hear each recording twice. For each question, look at the pictures and listen to the recording. Choose the correct picture and put a tick in the box below it.

Woman: I thought it would be better right at the other end of the lawn.

R:

Five: What is the man going to buy?

Before we start, here is an example.

Man:

Shall I get some fruit for the picnic?

R:

What’s the time?

Woman: Yes, can you get some oranges and bananas?

Woman:

Have you got the time?

Man:

Man:

Yes, it’s twenty past three.

pause R:

The man told the woman the time. The first picture is correct and the tick has been put in the box under the picture. Now we are ready to start. Here is a short recording for the first four pictures. Don’t forget to put a tick in one of the boxes! Listen carefully ...

R:

One: When and where are they meeting?

Man:

pause - repeat - pause


R:

Man:

Ah. Right in the middle.

Woman:

Yes, he says he wanted a room on the top floor, but the only room available was on the floor below that.

At half past seven, outside the restaurant.


I know, but she said she’d prefer to meet us outside.

R:


Man:

Two: What will Chris get for his birthday?

Mmm, it’s difficult. Tapes? CDs? But he’s already got a lot of those ...

Why not?


Three: What does Mr Jones look like?

Well, I’d like to hire a car, please. Something fast and comfortable, with enough room for four adults and a child.


That is the end of Part One. You now have half a minute to check your answers. We will tell you when Part Two begins.

Woman: We could get him something to wear. No, let’s get him a book on sport - he’s really keen on that. Man:

Seven: Which is the best vehicle for the man?

Woman: Good morning, Sir, how can I help you?

Woman: It’s Chris’ birthday on Friday, what shall we get him? Man:

Six: Which is Gary’s room?

Woman: Look, Gary’s sent us a postcard of his hotel, and he’s put a cross to show us his window!

Woman: I told her to wait inside, at a table. Man:

I’m not very keen on oranges. How about grapes instead?

Woman: They’re so expensive at the moment. Just get the bananas.

Woman: What time are we meeting Jane? Man:

Oh, no.

pause R:

Now turn to Part Two, questions 8 to 13. Look at the questions for this Part. You will hear a recorded message about an arts festival. Put a tick in the correct box for each question. At the end the recording is repeated. Page 9

pause R:

Now we are ready to start. Listen carefully . . .

Man:

This is the Arts Festival Box Office. There is no one here to take your call, but do not hang up, as further information follows. The Festival begins on the 12th of May and continues to the 28th. There are things happening in several parts of the town itself, and outside it.

R:

repeat R:

There are various other musical performances in the cathedral, and poetry readings in one of the town’s churches. The Film Society has arranged to show a film of Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni at the theatre. Our programme has full details. Ickworth House, just outside the town, is joining in the Festival as usual. There is a guided walk around Ickworth Park on Sunday the 15th, which will last about two and a half hours. Also, on the 19th of May, we have a special concert of piano music, given by Oliver Davies in the beautiful Ickworth Library. The price of tickets includes coffee and biscuits and you are advised to book early, as this is always especially popular. For more information, send for our Festival programme or visit the Box Office from 10.00 am - 8.00 pm Mondays to Fridays, or 12.00 - 8.00 pm on Saturdays. Bookings can be made in person (cash, cheque or credit card), by post (cheques only) or by telephone (credit cards only). We also accept credit card bookings by fax, on 0284 706035. For these bookings, you must use our booking form.

Page 10

That is the end of Part Two. You now have a minute to check your answers. We will tell you when Part Three begins.

pause R:

Now turn to Part Three, questions 14 to 19. Look at the notes about The Language Study Fair. Some information is missing. You will hear an organiser talking on the radio about the Fair. For each question, fill in the missing information in the numbered space. At the end the recording is repeated.

At the Theatre Royal, there will be a series of concerts, starting with jazz singer Elaine Delmar on the 12th of May. George Melly brings his own special kind of jazz and fun to the theatre on the 13th of May. On Thursday the 19th of May, there is the opera Faust. For classical music fans, the Brodsky String Quartet appear on the 23rd of May. There are also concerts at the Corn Exchange. For people who prefer dance music, we have the London All Stars Steel Band on Sunday the 15th of May. On Thursday the 19th of May we welcome back the Viennese Gala Orchestra, who are regular performers at the Festival. Finally, also at the Corn Exchange, there will be a series of jazz concerts each Friday at 1 o’clock. During these lunch-time concerts a bar will be open for the sale of wine and we are offering free soft drinks. Sandwiches will also be on sale. Light meals can be bought in the restaurant afterwards.

Now listen again.

pause R:

Now we are ready to start. Listen carefully.

Woman: If you are studying English, the Language Study Fair that’s being held this month will certainly interest you. The show is taking place between the 17th and 19th of March at the National Education Centre. It aims to answer all your questions about self-study (that’s studying by yourself), whatever your level. The Language Study Fair provides a perfect opportunity for you to see, compare and get advice on everything that is available to help you improve the way you study. Over 350 leading producers of educational materials will be present. Come along to this, and you won’t waste your money in the future on materials that are out-of-date, or books that you just don’t need. We’ve got lots of different things for you to see and hear. There will be stands showing different types of self-study textbooks, and talks by educational speakers on the best ways to study by yourself. You’ll be able to see the latest furniture available for people who study at home. We’re sure you’ll also enjoy watching people using the latest computer programs, which can make studying English alone so much easier. This is your chance to make good decisions about what you buy. You can attend the fair between nine-thirty and five on Thursday and Friday, and from nine-thirty to four on Saturday. Tickets cost £5 each, or £3 if you are a full-time student. All tickets can be booked by ringing the ticket hotline. The number is 984-7711. Parking can be really difficult around the National Education Centre. However, an all-day space can be booked for only £2.50 per vehicle.

Thank you for calling.

So, we look forward to seeing you there!

pause

pause

R:

me for their illnesses. I have got a bit of a temperature now too - so maybe I’ll go and see Mr Gray after lunch and tell him I won’t be at this afternoon’s lecture.

Now listen again.

repeat R:

R:

That is the end of Part Three. You now have a minute to check your answers. We will tell you when Part Four begins.

George:

Or the next two ... come on, you’ve got to get better.

pause

Kate:

I suppose you’re right.

Now turn to Part Four, questions 20-25.

George:

Then we can all go out as we planned at the weekend.

Kate:

OK then, I don’t want to miss that ... and I do feel ill ... (fade)

Look at the six statements for this Part. You will hear a conversation between a female student, Kate, and a male student, George. They are having lunch in the college canteen. Decide if you think each statement is correct or incorrect. If you think it is correct, put a tick in the box under A for YES. If you think it is not correct, put a tick in the box under B for NO. At the end the recording is repeated.

pause R:

repeat R:

pause R:

Now we are ready to start. Listen carefully ...

Kate:

I don’t remember much of that lecture. The doctor gave me this medicine for my cough but I don’t like it - it seems to make me awfully sleepy and I can’t follow my lectures.

George:

Well, if you don’t take it, none of us will be able to follow our lectures, all we’ll hear is you coughing!

Kate:

Oh dear, do you think I’ll annoy everybody?

George:

Yes. You could study at home for a couple of days - you know, have some time off until it gets better.

Kate:

(shocked) Oh I couldn’t do that! I’d miss too much and I get really uncomfortable when I have a lot of catching up to do. Last year I missed a whole week when I fell off my bike and had that enormous bandage on my hand. It took me ages to do all the work when I came back.

George:

Oh you worry too much. You can work at home. Just get Mr Gray to tell you which parts of the course book we’ll be covering and read it yourself at home. All he does is go through the book anyway. You might as well do it yourself.

Kate:

Oh, that’s a bit unfair! I think Mr Gray’s really nice. He’s always willing to stay behind after class if you don’t understand something.

George:

Being ‘really nice’ and never in a hurry doesn’t make him a good lecturer. Anyway I think you should look after your health first and ours! If we sit in that small, hot room with you for the next three days we’ll all have your cough by the end of it.

Kate:

Mmm perhaps you’re right. I don’t care about myself but I wouldn’t like other people to blame

Now listen again.

That is the end of Part Four. You now have twelve minutes to check and transfer your answers to the answer sheet. pause

R:

That is the end of the test.

Page 11

SAMPLE TEST - SPEAKING EXAMINER MATERIAL

PRELIMINARY ENGLISH TEST

Part 1 (2-3 minutes)

Tasks

Identifying oneself; giving information about people/things; asking direct questions.

Sub-tasks

Spelling; numbers; responding to questions/information.

Interlocutor (slowly)

In this section the examiner invites the candidates to ask each other questions in order to elicit information about personal details, home town, schools, jobs, family etc. (pretending, if neccessary, that they don’t know each other).

Assessment

The task is achieved if both candidates can sustain the conversation without much prompting.

Time

About 2 - 3 minutes (including the time to assimilate the information)

© UCLES 1997

Page 12


Part 1 - See separate sheet

Oral Test 4 (A Driving Test Present)

Part 2 (2-3 minutes)

Tasks

Making and responding to suggestions; agreeing and disagreeing; making choices

Interlocutor

Say (slowly) to both candidates:

Frame I’m going to describe a situation to you. Your friend has just passed his driving test and you would like to buy a present for him. Talk together about the sort of presents you can buy and then decide which one to get for him Here are some ideas which may help you.

Hand over Picture Sheet 4 to the candidates. N.B. One A3 sheet to be shared. Just think for a few seconds.

Pause

All right? Would you like me to say that again?

Now, Candidate A, would you like to start?

Allow the candidates enough time to complete the task without intervention. Prompt only if necessary. Finish the exchange with an appropriate phrase, for example: I’m sure he’ll be pleased with his present.

Assessment

The task requires the candidates to work towards a conclusion without prompting.

Time

About 2 - 3 minutes (including time to assimilate the information).

© UCLES 1997

Page 13

SAMPLE TEST - SPEAKING EXAMINER MATERIAL


Part 3 (3 minutes)

Tasks

Oral Test 4 (A Quiet Time)

Describing people and places; saying where people and things are and what different people are doing.

Interlocutor Frame

Say to both candidates: Now, I’m going to give each of you a photograph of people enjoying a quiet time. Candidate A, here is your photograph. (Hand one of the photographs to Candidate A.) Would you show it to Candidate B and talk about it, please? Candidate B, I’ll give you a photograph in a moment. Candidate A, would you start now, please? ................. Thank you.

If there is a need to intervene, prompts rather than direct questions should be used. Now, Candidate B, here is your picture. (Hand the second photograph to Candidate B). Would you show it to Candidate A and tell him/her about it , please?................ Ready? Thank you. Assessment

The candidates should talk about the photographs with little or no prompting. Specialized words such as ‘hair-band’ and ‘crane’ are not expected.

Retrieve the photographs before moving to Part 4.

Part 4 (3 minutes) Tasks

Talking about one’s likes and dislikes; expressing opinions.

Interlocutor

Say to both candidates:

Frame Your photographs showed people enjoying a quiet moment in different ways. Now, I’d like you to talk together about the kind of things you like to do when you want to be quiet and the kind of things you don’t like to do.

Assessment

The task is achieved if the candidates can talk, with little or no prompting, about the kind of things they like to do when they want to be quiet and the kind of things they don’t like to do.

Time

Parts 3 & 4 should take about 6 minutes together.

© UCLES 1997

Page 14

Note: The photographs for Part 3 of the Speaking Test (page 41) are in colour in the real test materials.

Page 15

SAMPLE TEST - SPEAKING CANDIDATE MATERIAL - PART 2

Page 16

SAMPLE TEST - SPEAKING CANDIDATE MATERIAL - PART 3

Page 17

S A M P L E PA P E R S - M A R K S C H E M E S

PART 2

READING PAPER

6

Full name: More than one name should be given.

7

Home address: To include country unless in UK.

8

Nationality: Any nationality in its anglicised form, correctly spelled.

9

What study materials do you use when you study English? Any, e.g. ‘book(s)’/’tape(s)’/’(course/text/test) book(s)’ ‘TV’/’video’, correctly spelled.

10

How many hours a week do you study English by yourself? Any number of hours per week, in figures or words.

11

In which part of the day do you prefer to study? Any part of the day, correctly spelled.

12

When you study, where do you prefer to sit? Any place suitable for sitting and studying.

13

What disturbs you most when you are studying? Any disturbance or distraction/’nothing’.

14

What do you like best about learning English? Any part or aspect of learning English.

15

Signature: Any name (NOT printed) resembling those in Question 6 above.

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

1

A

6

2

D

C

7

3

G

C

8

F

4

9

D

B

5

B

10 C

11 A

12 A

13 B

14 B

15 B

16 A

17 B

18 A

19 B

20 B

21 D

22 C

23 B

24 A

25 A

26 A

27 A

28 D

29 D

30 A

31 C

32 B

33 B

34 C

35 B

TOTAL READING MARKS = 35 These marks are weighted to 25.

WRITING PAPER PART 1 1

When she has to walk to the supermarket she finds it tiring.

She gets

2

tired

when/if

she has to walk to the supermarket.

She is often driven to the supermarket by her neighbour. Her neighbour

often

drives her

to the supermarket.

PART 3

takes her

The task-specific notes below should be used in conjunction with the mark scheme for Writing Part 3 which is on the following page. Note that up to five marks are awarded for Task and up to five for Language.

gives her a lift

3

There are many types of coffee there.

You can

find

many types of coffee

there.

Task

buy see

Using a scale from 0-5 reward answers which incorporate the following points:

choose (from) try

4

She asked an assistant how much the Colombian coffee cost.

She asked:“How

much does the/this Colombian coffee cost (please)? “ is

5

the/this Colombian coffee (please)?

“

The Colombian coffee cost less than the Kenyan coffee.

The Colombian coffee wasn’t as/so expensive/dear as the Kenyan (coffee).

Note:

The above answers do not include all the variations allowed.

Page 18

•

expression of thanks for stay.

•

description of the first enjoyable feature of the stay.

•

description of the second enjoyable feature of the stay.

MARK

TASK

LANGUAGE

5

Very good attempt at task, covering all content elements fully, with minimal digression. Generally coherent, requiring no effort by the reader.

Generally good control, and confident use of language. Coherent linking of sentences using simple cohesive devices. Language ambitious, including complex sentences and range of structures and vocabulary. Language errors may still be present, but they are minor, due to ambition, and non-impeding.

4

3

Good attempt at task, covering all the content elements, with some elaboration. There may be some minor repetition or digression, though overall the script is reasonably coherent and requires minimal effort by the reader.

Fairly good control of language and linking of sentences. Either language is ambitious, i.e. showing evidence of range of structures and vocabulary, with a few errors, generally nonimpeding, or the language is unambitious, but virtually errorfree.

Reasonable attempt to cover task. May be a rather simple account with little elaboration, or a fuller attempt containing some repetition or digression. One content element may have been omitted. Coherent enough to make meaning clear, although a little effort may be required by the reader.

Some control of language. Linking of sentences not always maintained. Simple sentence structure generally sound. Language likely to be unambitious, or if ambitious probably flawed. A number of errors are likely to be present, e.g. in structures, tenses, spelling, articles, prepositions, but they are mostly nonimpeding.

Some attempt at task, possibly with limited understanding. Two content elements may have been omitted, or there will be noticeable irrelevance or incoherence, which will require considerable effort by the reader. Task may be unfinished.

Erratic control of sentence structure and use of tenses, e.g. past simple not used appropriately in many cases. Language may be very simplistic/limited/repetitive. Errors in the spelling of PET vocabulary often occur. Language errors are numerous and often basic, and will sometimes impede communication. Punctuation may be noticeably absent, leading to incoherence of sentences.

1

Poor attempt at task, because has little relevance, is far too short or very incoherent.

Very poor control of language. Difficult to understand due to e.g. frequent grammatical errors, errors in the spelling of PET level words, or poor sentence construction. There may be a general absence of punctuation, leading to serious incoherence.

0

Candidate has misunderstood or misinterpreted task. Content bears no relation to task.

Achieves nothing, language impossible to understand.

2

LISTENING PAPER PART 1 1

D

2

C

6

A

7

D

8

C

9

B

3

C

4

A

5

B

PART 2 10 C

11 A

12 D

13 A PART 3 14 (of) March 15 talks 16 computer programs/programmes 17 Saturday 18 (full)(-)(time) students 19 984 7711 PART 4 20 B

21 A

22 B

23 A

24 A

25 B

TOTAL LISTENING MARKS = 25

All of these comments should be interpreted at PET Level, and will be exemplified for examiners during the training session prior to each central marking Session.

TOTAL WRITING MARKS = 25

Page 19