B1 Reading Practice: Complete PET Strategy Guide

B1 Preliminary Reading lasts 45 minutes and contains six parts with 32 questions. The paper moves from short practical messages to longer texts, matching tasks and grammar/vocabulary cloze work. Because the task types are so different, one reading strategy is not enough.

The best preparation is to learn what each part demands, then practise switching reading mode: quick message interpretation, careful detail, cohesion checking or grammatical analysis.

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What are the six B1 Reading parts?

Every correct answer contributes to the Reading score, so do not treat Parts 5 and 6 as “extra grammar”. They are part of the paper and deserve planned time.

Practise all six formats in B1 Reading.

Part 1: how do you understand notices quickly?

Part 1 uses short real-world texts: messages, signs, emails, notices or announcements. The challenge is usually one important condition.

Pay special attention to words such as:

• only;
• unless;
• must;
• before/after;
• except;
• available from;
• closed until.

Do not choose the option that repeats the most words. Paraphrase the message in your own simple sentence first.

Example: Tickets bought online must be collected before 5 p.m. → “Online buyers need to pick up tickets before five.” Now compare options against that meaning.

Part 2: how do you solve profile matching?

Part 2 asks you to match descriptions of people with suitable options. Each person usually has several requirements.

Create a three-point checklist for each profile. For example:

• wants an outdoor activity;
• available on Sunday;
• needs equipment provided.

The correct option must satisfy the full profile. Distractors often match two conditions but fail the third.

Underline restrictions such as doesn't want, only has, prefers not to. Negative information is easy to overlook.

Part 3: what should you do with the longer text?

Read the questions before close-reading every paragraph. This tells you what information matters.

For each answer, return to evidence in the text. A good habit is to underline the line that proves your choice. If you cannot find evidence, reconsider.

Be careful with pronouns and perspective. A text may report what one person believed earlier and what they think now. The question may target only one of those positions.

Unknown words are not automatically a problem. Use context and continue unless the word blocks a specific question.

Part 4: how does Gapped Text work?

Part 4 tests how sentences connect. Read the sentence before and after each gap.

Look for:

• pronouns that need a clear reference;
• repeated nouns or synonyms;
• time sequence;
• cause and result;
• contrast;
• examples introduced by phrases such as for instance;
• references such as this problem, these people, that experience.

Never choose a sentence only because it shares a topic word. The grammar and logic must connect in both directions.

A useful practice technique is to explain each choice aloud: This sentence fits because “they” refers to the students in the previous sentence, and the next sentence gives an example of their problem.

Part 5: what vocabulary does Multiple-Choice Cloze test?

Part 5 tests vocabulary in context. Common targets include:

• collocations;
• phrasal verbs;
• near-synonyms;
• fixed expressions;
• dependent prepositions.

Suppose the gap is in ___ a photo. Several verbs may be understandable, but English normally says take a photo. Learn the complete phrase.

After each Part 5 set, add only the useful missed combinations to your vocabulary log. Do not copy every option.

Part 6: what grammar appears in Open Cloze?

Part 6 asks for one word per gap. Likely answers include:

• articles;
• prepositions;
• auxiliary verbs;
• pronouns;
• conjunctions;
• relative words;
• quantifiers;
• parts of common grammatical patterns.

Before writing an answer, decide the grammatical category. If the sentence already has a main verb, perhaps the gap needs an auxiliary or linker rather than another lexical verb.

Train these patterns with B1 Grammar when you notice repeated errors.

How should you manage the 45 minutes?

There is no official time limit per part, but you need a plan. One possible training split is:

• Part 1: 5–6 minutes;
• Part 2: 7–8 minutes;
• Part 3: 8–9 minutes;
• Part 4: 8–9 minutes;
• Part 5: 6–7 minutes;
• Part 6: 6–7 minutes;
• final check if time remains.

Adjust based on your strengths. The important rule is not to spend three minutes on one question while leaving easier questions unseen.

How do you build reading speed at B1?

Practise three modes:

Skimming: read quickly for topic and purpose.

Scanning: search for a name, number, place or key idea.

Close reading: slow down around the evidence for a specific answer.

Many learners try to close-read everything. That is accurate but slow. Others skim everything and miss details. The exam rewards switching modes.

What should you do with unknown vocabulary?

Classify it after the task:

• essential — blocked understanding or an answer;
• useful — common and reusable;
• low priority — specialised and not important to the task.

Study essential and useful items. Ignoring low-priority words saves time and prevents vocabulary overload.

When possible, record a phrase rather than one word. Apply for a job is more valuable than apply = solicitar.

How should you review wrong answers?

For comprehension questions, underline proof. For Part 4, identify the cohesion clue. For Part 5, record the collocation. For Part 6, record the grammar pattern.

A useful review table:

This is much more actionable than “Reading: 25/32”.

A two-week B1 Reading plan

Days 1–3

Practise Parts 1 and 2. Focus on accurate interpretation and requirements.

Days 4–6

Practise Parts 3 and 4. Underline evidence and cohesion clues.

Day 7

Complete Parts 5 and 6 and build a grammar/vocabulary error list.

Days 8–10

Repeat your two weakest parts with fresh material.

Days 11–12

Run all six parts with a 45-minute timer.

Days 13–14

Review recurring errors and complete one final timed paper.

Common B1 Reading mistakes

• matching keywords instead of the whole meaning;
• overlooking negative or restrictive words;
• selecting a Part 2 option that meets only some requirements;
• reading only before a Part 4 gap;
• translating every unknown word;
• guessing Part 6 words without checking grammar;
• spending too long on the first difficult question;
• checking scores but not evidence.

Final takeaway

B1 Reading is six different tasks inside one 45-minute paper. Learn the specific logic of each part, practise moving between skim, scan and close reading, and review mistakes according to their real cause. Once you stop treating every wrong answer as “I need more vocabulary”, progress becomes much easier to target.