B1 Preliminary (PET) Practice Paper 5

Listening

Listen first, then answer. Office Coffee Machine

1. When did the coffee machine arrive?

A) Last week B) This morning C) Last month D) Yesterday afternoon

2. What does George say about the noise?

A) It's perfect for the office B) It woke him up early in the morning C) It's quieter than the old machine D) It broke on the first day

3. What problem did the old coffee machine have?

A) It was too loud B) It made terrible coffee and broke often C) It was too small D) It cost too much money

4. What maintenance task does George mention?

A) Replacing the water filter weekly B) Cleaning the machine every evening C) Buying new coffee beans daily D) Calling a technician monthly

5. What does Alice plan to do later today?

A) Clean the coffee machine B) Send an email about a cleaning schedule and coffee fund C) Order new coffee beans D) Fix the old machine

Show transcript

george: Alice, have you noticed the new coffee machine arrived this morning? It's the fancy one we ordered last month. I've already made three cups! alice: Oh really? I haven't tried it yet. How is it? Better than the old one? george: Much better! It makes espresso, cappuccino, everything. The only problem is that it's quite loud. It woke me up when I made my first coffee at seven o'clock this morning because nobody else was here. alice: That's funny! But you know what? I'm actually glad we got it. The old machine was broken half the time, and the coffee always tasted terrible. Now everyone will actually want to come to the office. george: Definitely. By the way, did you see the instructions? They said we need to clean it every evening, otherwise the pipes will get damaged. So we should probably create a cleaning schedule so nobody forgets. alice: Good idea. I'll send an email to the team about that later today. Maybe we can also ask people to contribute to a coffee fund? That way we can buy better beans next month. george: Perfect. I think everyone will agree with that. Shall we try making a cappuccino together right now? I want to show you how to use the milk frother. alice: Yes, let's do it! I'm looking forward to tasting what this new machine can really make.

Reading

Maria has worked at her company for five years, but last year everything changed. When the pandemic forced everyone to work from home, she discovered she was actually more productive. She no longer wasted an hour commuting, and her home office was quiet. However, she missed her colleagues. Although video calls kept the team connected, they weren't the same as chatting over coffee. Now that restrictions have ended, the company has introduced a hybrid model: three days in the office and two days at home. Most staff were happy with this compromise, but opinions vary. Some employees prefer being home, where they can focus better and spend time with family. Others believe the office creates better team spirit and helps newer workers learn faster. Maria's manager asked the team for feedback on the new arrangement. After thinking carefully, Maria suggested keeping flexibility: if someone has important deadlines, they should work from home. If a team needs to collaborate intensely, they should come in. "One size doesn't fit all," she wrote. Her manager seemed impressed by her balanced perspective.

1. What was Maria's first reaction to working from home?

A) She found it difficult to concentrate. B) She believed it helped her work more efficiently. C) She preferred it because of team meetings. D) She was unhappy about losing contact with colleagues.

2. What does the hybrid model mean at Maria's company?

A) Everyone works from home permanently. B) Employees come to the office once a week. C) Staff spend part of their week in the office and part at home. D) Only managers are allowed to work remotely.

3. Which advantage of home working does the passage mention?

A) It saves money on office equipment. B) It allows more time for personal life. C) It improves communication with clients. D) It reduces training costs.

4. What was Maria's suggestion to her manager?

A) Everyone should work from home. B) The team should work in the office four days per week. C) Work arrangements should depend on the task and circumstances. D) Only experienced employees can work remotely.

5. How did the manager respond to Maria's feedback?

A) The manager rejected the idea immediately. B) The manager seemed to think it was thoughtful. C) The manager asked her to present it to all staff. D) The manager didn't respond to her email.

Real-life notices

Read each notice. Which sentence (A, B or C) is closest in meaning?

DOORS CLOSE 2 MINUTES BEFORE DEPARTURE

A) The doors stay open until the train leaves. B) The doors shut a short time before the train leaves. C) The doors are always open.

PLEASE SWITCH OFF YOUR PHONE DURING THE PERFORMANCE

A) Phones should stay on quietly during the show. B) Phones must be turned off while the show is on. C) Phones are not allowed in the building at all.

WET FLOOR — PLEASE WALK CAREFULLY

A) The floor has just been cleaned and could be slippery. B) The floor is very dry today. C) You should run to avoid getting wet.

KEEP OFF THE GRASS

A) You should not walk on the grass. B) You must cut the grass. C) Dogs are allowed on the grass.

REDUCED TO CLEAR — LAST FEW DAYS

A) These items will soon be more expensive. B) These items are cheaper because the shop wants to sell the last ones. C) These items have just arrived in the shop.

Use of English

Working in a modern office can be quite different from how people imagined their jobs twenty years ago. Today, many companies ___1___ technology that allows employees to complete their tasks anywhere. Some workers enjoy ___2___ in an office building because they like the social interaction, while others find the environment too distracting. Recent studies show that workplace productivity depends on several factors: the type of work, the individual's personality, and available tools. Many managers ___3___ that a balanced approach works best. Additionally, younger employees often ___4___ different work environments compared to older colleagues. Companies that offer flexibility usually have lower staff turnover rates. If a business wants to ___5___ its employees, it should listen to their needs and preferences. The future workplace will likely combine the best aspects of both home and office settings. ___6___ remote work has become more common, employers have realized that trust and communication ___7___ crucial for success. Organizations that invest in good management practices and clear goals often ___8___ the most motivated teams.

1. Gap 1: Which word is correct?

A) use B) using C) uses D) used

2. Gap 2: Which form is correct?

A) work B) working C) to work D) works

3. Gap 3: Which verb is correct?

A) believe B) believes C) believed D) believing

4. Gap 4: Which word is correct?

A) prefer B) prefers C) prefer to D) have prefer

5. Gap 5: Which word completes the phrase 'to ____ its employees'?

A) satisfy B) satisfying C) satisfied D) satisfies

6. Gap 6: Which connector is correct?

A) Because B) Since C) Although D) Despite

7. Gap 7: Which verb is correct?

A) is B) are C) has been D) have been

8. Gap 8: Which word is correct?

A) build B) builds C) have built D) are building

Writing

Your local newspaper is asking readers about their ideal work environment. Write a letter (120–150 words) describing where and how you would prefer to work in the future. Explain the reasons for your choice and mention any challenges you think you might face. Use appropriate formal letter conventions and clear topic sentences.