PET for Schools – Test 1 Reading

To:

John

From:

Jane

Hi John, I don't understand our geography homework. I'm having problems with how rivers are created high up in mountains. Please can you come to my house this evening to help me?
Thanks, Jane

Our shop will be closed all day due to a problem with the electricity. We don't have any lights and our freezers don't work. We have sent all our food to another shop to keep it fresh.

Our small cat is missing. We last saw him on Friday evening next to the park. His name is Tiddles and has black and white hair. If you see him, please call 09987-555-254.

Book your birthday parties at Bob's Burger Bar. We have a special menu which includes burgers, pieces of chicken, chips, soft drinks and a big chocolate cake with candles. Go to our website and fill in the form.

A. Cricket

Cricket is a nice and relaxing sport to watch. One game can last all day, so you will need to take a cushion with you. Some people take a picnic with them. People are usually very quiet while watching cricket. They only shout and clap when a player scores points for their team. Cricket is only played in the summer and is postponed if it rains.

B. Tennis

Most tennis competitions take place outside and need the weather to be warm and dry. There are very few seats compared to other sports so it can be difficult to get tickets. These competitions can take all day so people take their own food and drinks with them. One of the rules of watching tennis : is that you must be very quiet while the athletes are playing, When players score a point, the crowd claps.

C. Skiing

Skiing is a winter sport and a lot of snow is needed. Skiing competitions take place in countries which have mountains. It can be very cold watching skiing. Most people take a special bottle with tea or coffee to keep them warm. There is a lot of waiting when watching a ski competition and when someone skis past, you only see them for about 10 seconds.

D. Football

Football can be a very noisy game and is played all year round. For the important matches, some stadiums can hold around 90,000 people. Some people have to stand all the time. Football fans often have to travel a lot when their team plays away. You are not allowed to take your own food into the stadium. They sell hot food and drinks.

E. Basketball

Basketball is played inside and there are two teams that try to get the ball into the basket the most times. People who watch basketball are sometimes noisy but not as much as football fans, for example. Basketball can be played all year round and it doesn't matter what the weather is like outside. You can't take food into the stadium, but members of staff go around the stadium selling cold snacks and drinks.

F. Horse Racing

Horse racing is an event that lasts all day and has lots of different individual races. These events take place all year round and in all weathers except for snow or if the ground is frozen. Lots of people take picnics and can park their car near the race track. There are usually a few restaurants available with views of the race track

G. Beach Volleyball

This is a very popular sport in the summer by the seaside. Many games are played on public beaches, so anybody can go and watch. The players don't wear shoes because they are playing on the sand. As it is public, anyone can take food and drinks to the matches. But there is too much sand to have a picnic when watching beach volleyball

H. Rugby

Rugby players carry the rugby ball, but they can kick it if they want. Rugby is also a very popular game but the people who watch rugby are usually better behaved than those who watch football. Food is not allowed in the stadium but is available to buy. People watching rugby usually stay sitting down. This sport is played all year round.

I was wondering what I should do with my life when I finish school. My parents told me that I still had a couple of years ahead of me but that did not reassure me. So I went online and found everything about career advisors. Most secondary schools in England have members of staff who give careers advice to their students. They are called careers advisors.

A year before they leave school, the careers advisor will talk to the students one by one and ask them what they want to do in the future. The advisor will look at the students' grades to see what subjects they are stronger in. For example, if they are good at maths, they can become an accountant.

The advice is not just about the part of finding a job; it's also telling the student what university course they must do first. If a student wants to become a lawyer, he or she will have to go to university for three or four years to study law. However, if someone wants to be a doctor, they will need good grades in biology and other science subjects. With good grades, they can go to university and do their basic medical training which is six years. But their studying doesn't finish at university. They then have to study at hospital for another two or three years.

The careers advisor also helps students who don't have the grades to go to university. The advisor helps the students with their CV and shows them how to find and apply for jobs. Sometimes there are short courses they can do to learn a new skill quickly. For example, they can go on a hairdressing course and then learn more while they work. Some organisations offer training on the job, such as factories and farms. The government has many areas which offer possibilities for those" who can't go to university. Students can join the army and be trained to become a soldier, or if they want, they could become a sailor with the navy.

So I guess that now I shouldn't be feeling so anxious. When the time comes, I'll make sure I'll ask a careers advisor for help.

My first flight

Last week my family and I travelled by plane for the first time. I must admit we all had a few questions that we were too (21)___ to ask anyone and I guess there are many other teens that could use some (22)___ to help them go through their first flight.

So, first, make sure you arrive with all the (23)___ paperwork to board the flight that is your passport, which must be valid. As most airlines issue e-tickets, don't worry if you don't get a paper ticket, as well. Once you show though your e-ticket to the staff, you will be given a physical boarding pass; this is what will give you (24)___ to the aeroplane.

All travellers get confused by airline rules about baggage. For trips lasting several days or more, you'll need to (25)___ in a piece of hold luggage, while for a long weekend or for a city break, all you need can usually fit into a bag or case which you can take with you on the plane.

Once you've made it successfully on to your flight, look for a number followed by a letter on your boarding pass. That's your seat number. If you can't locate your seat, the cabin crew will be happy to help and put your luggage in a safe place, either in an overhead (26)___ or under your seat. Now, all you need to do is sit back and relax.

TV programmes

Write an article telling us what kind of TV programmes you enjoy watching. Which is your favourite programme and what is special about it? Do you prefer to watch TV alone or with other people? Why or why not? The best articles answering these questions will be published next month.