{ FROM THE TEST DEVELOPERS i mi 1" PEARSON TEST OF ENGLISH (erTitste-l 4 Skills Boosters A) Students’ Book OTST Terry Cook Steve ThompsonIntroduction . Unit One . Language and Skills, Practice Test One Section Listening Section 2 Listening Section 3 Listening .. Section 4 Reading . Section § Reading . Section 6 Reading .. ‘Section 7 Reading .. Section 8 Weng Section 9 Writing Section 10 Speaking . Section 11 Speaking Section s2 Speaking Section 13 Speaking . Unit Two .. Language and Skills Practice Test Two Section 1 Listenin Section Listening . ‘Section 3 Listening .. Section 4 Reading. Section 5 Reading Section 6 Reading Section 7 Reading Section 8 Writing... Section 9 Weiting Section 10 Speaking Section 1 Speaking Section 12 Speaking Section 13 Speaking Unit Three ....... Language and Skills .. Practice Test Three . Section s Listening Section 2 Listening, Section 3 Listening Section 4 Reading Section § Reading ... Section 6 Reading Section 7 Reading. Section 8 Writing .. Section 9 Writing .. Section 10 Speaking .. Section 13 Speaking .. Section 12 Speaking .. Section 13 Speaking Unit Four i Language and Skills BIS 79 Practice Test Four . 86 Section 1 Listening. 86 Section 2 Listening 88 Section 3 Listening 89 Section 4 Reading .... 90 Section 5 Reading .. Section 6 Reading .. Section 7 Reading .. Section 8 Writing Section 9 Writing Section 10 Speaking Section 11 Speaking Section 12 Speaki +101 Section 13 Speaking . 102 Unit Five .. 103, Language and Skills 103 Practice Test Five - 110 Section 1 Listening Section 2 Listening Section 3 Listening ... Section 4 Reading . Section 5 Reading Section 6 Reading 13 14 ne Section 7 Reading .. 120 Section 8 Wing Section 9 Writing Section 10 Speaking Section 1 Speaking 124 Section 12 Speaking ws Section 13 Speaking 126 Writing guide 127 Glossary. 133Introduction What is the Pearson Test of English General? PTE General is a suite of six tests at different levels (Ax, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). Ittests your ability in English in practical skills for real-life situations such as writing messages, understanding talks, understanding newspaper and magazine articles or taking part in conversations. PTE General tests are taken four times a year in May, June, November and December in centres all around the world. The tests do not assume any experience of work or knowledge of the world and so are most suitable for teenagers and young adults who, expect to use English in their future academic and professional lives. Key Features The sections and items in PTE General Level 2 are grouped together into themes or topics related to familiar and routine matters such as the home, the family, shopping, work, education, travel, entertainment. Most of the listening and reading texts are authentic and are taken from radio broadcasts, newspaper and magazine articles, telephone conversations, announcements, etc. The tests are international so the reading and listening texts are taken from a range of English- speaking countries ~ the UK, the USA, Australia, etc. The four skills ~ listening, speaking, reading and writing — are tested in an integrated way. For example, you listen to some information and write about what you have heard, or you read a text and then answer questions or complete notes based ‘on what you have read. Test Structure PTE General is divided into two parts — the Written Test and the Spoken Test. The Written Test The Written Test of PTE General consists of nine sections and takes 1 hour and 35 minutes at Level 2. Section 1— Listening Section + consists of ten short listening texts ~ dialogues or monologues. Each text is followed by a question and three possible answers. You must choose the correct answer by putting a cross [Jin a box. There is a short pause before each recording for you to read the answers. This section tests your ability to understand the main idea of what someone says. You will hear the recording only once. Section 2 Listening and Writing Section 2 is a dictation. You will hear one person speaking and you must write down exactly what you hear with the correct spelling. You hear the recording twice, the second time with pauses to give you time to write. The passage can be a news broadcast, an announcement, instructions or factual information. Section 3 - Listening In section 3 you will hear two listening texts, either monologues or dialogues, and you have to complete a text or notes for each listening using the information you have heard. There are five gaps to fill for each listening text. This section may test your ability to understand and write down detailed information including addresses, telephone numbers and website addresses. You will hear the recording twice, Section 4— Reading In Section 4, you read five short texts, each containing a gap, and you choose which of three answers is the missing word or phrase that fills the gap. This section tests your ability to understand specific information and/or the overall meaning of the text. The reading texts can be instructions, signs, notices, advertisements, menus or announcements, Section 5 - Reading Section 5 has one longer reading text. You read the text and answer five questions or complete five sentences from a choice of three answers. This, section tests your understanding of the main idea ofa text. The reading text can be a newspaper or magazine article, a leaflet, a brochure or a website atticle.Section 6 - Reading There are two reading texts in this section. Each text is followed by four questions for you to answer using a word or a short phrase. They test. your understanding of the main points of the texts. The types of reading can be articles from newspapers or magazines, leaflets, brochures or website articles. Section 7- Reading In Section 7 you read a text and use the information to fill in seven gaps in a second text or set of notes. This section tests your understanding of specific detailed information you have read. The reading text can be an email, letter, advertisement, newspaper or magazine article, or a section from a website or a textbook. Section 8 - Writing Section 8 is a writing test. You have to write a piece of correspondence — an email or a formal or informal letter — based on the information that you have read in Section 7. At Level 2 you have to write 70-90 words. In your letter or email you are expected to ask for more information or to express your opinion on the subject. The topics in this section deal with things of everyday interest. including travel, the family, holidays, work, hobbies and current events. Section 9 — Writing In Section 9 you will be asked to write a text from your own experience, knowledge or imagination, The text to write at Level 2 is 100-250 words long. You will be asked to write a text which gives your point of view, explains advantages and disadvantages, or develops an argument. There is a choice between two topics. The Spoken Test The Spoken Test of PTE General consists of four sections and takes 7 minutes at Level 2. Section 10 In the first part of the Test, the examiner will ask you a question and you have to talk about yourself for about a minute. You will talk about your interests, hobbies, the sports you take part in, the films or books you like, or about things you have done in the past. The examiner will ask you further questions to find out more information. Section 21 In Section 12 you will be asked to give your opinions and ideas about a subject suggested by the examiner and to support your ideas. The examiner will take the opposite point of view for the discussion. The topics will include subjects of everyday interest, for example, the advantages of mobile phones, holidays at the beach or in the mountains, fast food, living in the city or in the country, The discussion will be for about 2 minutes. Section 12 In Section 12 you will be shown a picture and asked to describe it First, you will be asked to describe what you can see in the picture and then you will be asked to describe one part of it in detail or to give your opinion about what is happening in the picture. You will have about 1.5, minutes to do this. Section 13 The final section of the Spoken Testis a role play. You will be given a card with details of your role, a situation and some instructions. The situation contains a problem which you have to solve by talking to the examiner, for example, making a complaint in a restaurant, refusing an invitation. This section of the Test takes about 2 minutes. PTE General Skills Boosters The PTE General Skills Boosters have been specially written to help you become familiar with the format and content of the PTE General Test. They contain five full practice tests plus language and skills development sections in each unit to help you to improve your general level of English as well as improving your score in the test. Each level of the PTE General Skills Boosters contains: * Five Practice Tests for both the Written and Spoken Tests with tips giving advice on how to approach each section and deal with particular problems that might occur. © Vocabulary and Grammar practice sections which focus on the language linked to the themes of the tests. * Skills development sections to practise each of the four skills in the tests ~ listening, speaking, reading and writing, © AWriting guide which concentrates on the writing tasks you will meet in the tests, giving example answers, writing tips and practice questions. © AGlossary with those words and phrases in the ‘tests that you may need help with. Each item is followed by a definiUnit One BUR om MUR Te Cm CL ACU Rs TTA US MEL CLLCCV ARCA LOL | Vocabulary and Grammar Vocabulary 1: Compound nouns \esves on Conglarrerla 4 | Match the words in the box with the pairs of words (s-10) below to make compound nouns, as in the example. t ‘ L 4a my photo ceremony appointment party sh 9 book senice luggige cafd Reclngt tie rf aa oo Example: team Passport PMO nnn gover pg he 2 surprise retirement. pavlu, Doo’t Bowe rt on 2 leisure breakfast dep ttuu . 3. invitation __.. thank you ...60.. 4 cash answer 5 hand left 6 waiter self 7 talent dog 8 guide guest 9 dentist business 20 wedding supped graduation Now complete the following sentences using compound nouns from the list above. 1 Most petrol stations here are Qs... acs. I heard the bad news early this morning. It was on the radio at. ticor... aca k eos, After winning the. toleol shaw. 2 3 4 5 __.. There aren’t any attendants to help you. she got a job singing on a cruise ship. Vocabulary 2: Prepositions (place and movement) Read the directions and put the prepositions from the box into the spaces, as in the example. J gue diate, eutef past over on outside opposite peo along under “across towards down bay Sux Si When you come (Example:)..oi 2 Botta the hill 3... under: ows! the river. You ¢an _.the station, turn left odside srdiode pumcipol the main entrance and walk AS LO%$ usu the bridge or under poste either go 4.endo teke the subway 5. cuasn.... the river/Either way, you get to Waterside Road. Go left, 6... pas! ‘the new office block and keep walking 7...clga.o....... the road till you come to the a nction with Spender Street. Turn right and after about 100 Metres you'll see the café. It’s 8 . the right, just 9_ocmas. the road from the bank. In fact, | think it’s directly 20 waa the bank. Anyway, you can’t miss it - it’s called Marco’s Place. See you there at about 2pm. Vocabulary 3: Confusing words Circle the correct word to fill the gaps in the sentences. 4 I can’t come out till 8.00 ~| promised to help my parents with the (homework jousework). I'm going to play football with my friends. | haven't got much (homework/housework) so there's plenty of time. pod 2 These trainers donrt (fi suit) m me, Have you got them in a bigger size? All her friends say her new glasses really (rtisu) her. 3 Remember to bring your running shoes — don’t (eavejforget) them at home like last time. 'm not sure if| can meet you then — | always mean to bring my diary but | always (leave/fo rss > bron 4 She's really angry with you. What did you (Say/telD to her? Don't (say/tell) him about the party. It’s supposed to bea surprise. 5 I haven't seen him since his (marriage/wédding) last year. People’s ideas about (marriag@/wedding) are changing. he 6 He tried hard to (ise/aise) his performance and won a gold medal. ‘Average temperatures are Skating to (ise (raise) allover the world. ieee) 7 What do you think the (climate /wé Overall, the (climate/weather) in this country is mild. 1 8 | was feeling lonely so it was good to see a (family/fan His health was getting worse because of his (amily/familiar) problems. He doesn't play proféssionally —for him sports just (unfunny). Ilike her because she’s (Fun/funn) ~ she always makes AS laugh. 40 The team has lost (/it’s) best player. The weather was great last week, but now we're on holiday (its/it’s) raining. ° Vocabulary 4: Words with two meanings Use each of the words from the box twice to fill the gaps in the sentences, as in the example. oe cone queidat * table room miss run character save Example: At the moment my team is second in the league tab ! fobla It's a popular restaurant so you'd better book a table. in 4 The train leaves in 5 migutes so we'll have to 2 Thereisn’t...... oom? in the team for two players like that. 3 She scored in the last minute to Lo nons them from defeat. rreice durratey sore,Jrcrgyr 4 He's good at business, but he just doesn’t know how to.......v0........>-..@ football team, 5. IFwe don't leave soon, We'll... 015i oummmoethe plane, 29% 3b ben E 6 Some viewers think he’s their friend, even though he’s justa..chacocles. ina film. 7. There were no flights home that night so I had to book a..caoan.“"*ina hotel. & I've settled into my new home now, but | stlll..98S8 nem MV Old friends, aber 26 9 {can’t afford to go out for dinner — I'm trying to... PAN for my holiday. 40 | don’t make friends easily. It’s just not in my .< Z Vocabulary 5: Phrasal verbs Match the beginnings on the left with the endings on the right, as in the example. Example: | can't remember his phone number, UU nave.to Look it up. . 1 COT AHR wn We can’t leave the cat alone when we go away These running shoes are too small | didn’t have a real reason for not meeting him You won't have to walk here from the station He’s just bought an expensive exercise bike There isn’t room in the case for all those clothes My gym membership was too expensive The football shirt | bought was torn Give me the notice about the match 10 If you tell me what the message is, Grammar 1: Irregular past tenses Put the verbs in brackets into the past simple tense, as in the example. 1 My team (Example:) nad. (have) a terrible season last year. They ._.us: matches but then the season at the top of the table and ended it at the bottom. The journey was great. | managed to get a window seat, so. (9... Gall) asteep. Is. (feel) fantastic. ao then ...cead) when | Afriend te... (explain) where’t end butt... ... (read) for a while and wake) up, |..2.06t. oll a\a.ke.. (be) but we we Jno (break) my arm. In the end we... C100 WF (tell) me about a great little restaurant he. ac... (know). He ep it (take) half an hour. Unfortunately, it was closed! ved Last year'| weal... (Go) on holiday with my friend. It ccs. c.... (think) we would have a great time. Unfortunately, on the first day someone uw» (Steal) my friend’s passport. Then two days later! umn (Come) home a week early. {a) I'll pass it on. (b) - someone will have to look after it. (©) I can’t get them on. (@) so I took it back. (©) 50 | made one up. (50 | gave it up. (g) and Ill put it up. (h) - we just can't fit them in. () but he can’t set it up. () =I can pick you up. _... (win) their first two a. (begin) fost (ose) or dca... draw) all the others. So they as. Hi ane (Sit) looking at the clouds, S.fboun (Sleep) really well and fed (lose) our way. We 4nd... (find) itin the (cost) quite a lot of money but eel... (fall) over and. fico. dso freneGrammar 2: Talking about the future Complete the sentences using the present continuous tense or ‘going to’ form of the verb in brackets, as in the example. Example: You ,’ve. going, ta.feth. (feel) tired tomorrow after that long journey, 4 The hotel looks great in the brochure. 'm sure we (love) it, 2 Its all Booked. We... euenu (leave) on the 8.15 train. 3. I've arranged to meet my uncle at the airport. He _ou (Visit) us from Australia, 4 Don't worry about tomorrow's race. I'm sure you (win). 5, He's got the ball and it looks a5 1FME.ncesnnsnnne (SCOPE) again .... Yes! He has! 6 I can’t meet you for dinner tonight because | (work) late. | arranged it with my boss weeks ago. 7 We'd better take umbrellas with us on holiday - the weather forecast says it (rain) most of the week. 8 The next time he says something like that about my friend, |... (get) really angry. 9 They have a good chance of winning on Saturday because they. wn»-uun (Play) at home, 10 I've made a decision: I've just joined a gym and | (eet) fit. Grammar 3: 1* conditional (1) Match the beginnings on the left with the endings on the right, as in the example. Example: I'll never pass all my exams Uf...dowt.do. sone work, 1 I'msure he'll forgive you (@ unless you do more exercise. 2 We might win the cup (b) iFhe misses another training session, 3 You may have health problems (O if the weather is good. 4 We'll just go to another restaurant (d) if you don’t take a book. 5. They won't et you on the plane (© if we book the hotel and flight together. 6 twill save time and money (f) ifwe keep playing this well. 7 Vil drop him from the team (© unless you have a valid passport. 8 I'll see you at the café tomorrow (h) if you just apologise. 9 It'll be a boring journey @ unless you call me before then. 10 We'll have a great time @) if this one is fully booked. Grammar 4: 1* conditional (2) Make sentences from the clues, using the verbs in brackets in the correct tenses, as in the example. Example: Ifthey/one more match} inthe final. (win/be) tf they.wir. ome. move mateh, they'll be inthe final. 1 Ifyou/now~} the 8.15 train. (leave/catch) ee2 IFyou/some school clubs} more friends. (join/make) 3 Iflfall this food —} full. (eat/be) 4 Ifyou/travel insurance} safer. (have/feel) 5 IFl/a lot ~}a better player. (practise/be) 6 Ifthe plane/late —}I/you. (arrive/call) 7 ‘\fmy parents/me --> I/out with you tonight. (let/go) 8 If you/more exercise healthier. (take/feel) 9 |f my brother/to the basketball match —-}I/with him. (go/go) 10 If you/your money on holiday ~ the insurance company. (lose/pay) Now complete the following sentences. the train. 2 Ifwe don't hurry, 2 Ifitrains, the museum instead of the beach. Bona -nnenefO gy, the plane won't take off. — snnnanunnnnn to work every day, YOU... ow fitter. 5 pene wnw-f0¥ your health , more fruit and vegetables. Language skills © Listening and writing: A message Listen to the telephone message and answer the questions. © Whois calling? Pook © Who is he? OS pn © What is the message about? Digs © What was the original time for the coach? © Why has this changed? Conte © Whatis the new time? © Which of these pieces of information does Jody really need to know?listen again if necessary and write a note for Jody. RW Bosds.. Le “ Me angucal The cap tt © Listening and speaking: Conversational responses 4 Listen to the people talking and choose the best response from the box. hy Yes. I'm not as fit as | used to be. « ~ 8 Oh dear. What went wrong? € Oh, just some mineral water, please. D That's great. How did is that you enjoy it. 2 Now listen again and try to respond yourself in your own words. 3 With a partner, discuss what is happening in each situation, then continue the Boon conversations.Speaking: Talking about pictures Describe these pictures and say: © What is happening? i . © Which one gives the best idea of “celebrating success”? (Why?) . ” Writing a: Formal and informal language Re-write the sentences in a more formal style by replacing the underlined words or phrases with words or phrases from the box. terminate ensure request dueto resume regrets delayed announce accompanied by inconvenience apologise an alternative cancelled adverse anticipate selecting payment method 2 The train company is sorry to tell vou ........ aawennes...... that this weekend trains will stop completely _.at Tipley station. We would like to say sorry é wu. this causes. to passengers for any problemsTheairlineissad that several flights may be stopped sunning late This is because of... wm Dad ‘weather conditions. We guess hat normal service will start again tomorrow. @ Note for travellers with .. i‘ they are included on your passport. “You may ask for .. by choosing .. _... children: please check another way of paying... ... “Options” from the on-screen menu. ‘ing 2: Compound sentences n the following pairs of sentences to make a single sentence, as in the example, You ould use each linking word twice. We went to the party. We saw a lot of our old friends. eve, went ko. the. pares and. (we). saw..@.lat. of our old frlewds. He came home from the meeting late. He didn’t feel tired at all. twas a very hot day. Maggie waited for her friends in the shade of a tree. Ihave been to some good parties. Lucy’s party was better than most.Practice Test One - Section 1 (Se) You will have 20 seconds to read each question and the corresponding 6 options. Then listen to the recording. After the recording you will have 10 ‘ seconds to choose the correct option. Put a cross (x) in the box next to the correct answer, as in the example. Example: Where is the man’s passport? A IK] inhis briefcase mala B [1] under the table ¢ O] inthe car 4. What is Mandy doing? A (1 working with Steve B apologising for not going to dinner C1 invitinga friend to dinner 2. Whyis the speaker buying a card for his friend? A (1 ttsher birthday. B [1] Shelikes flowers. She helped him recently. 3. What is the relationship between Margaret and Pat? A (1 _Theyare cousins. B (J _Theyare friends. C Bl Theyare sisters. 4. What is Mary’s dad going to do? A [babysit for Mary B [1 take Alex to school C (goto thedentist’s 5. Where is the speaker? A (1 intondon Bf atarailway station ¢ onatrainre are the speakers? BH atatravel agency 0 atanairport (1 atarestaurant at kind of transport are the speakers talking about? D1 abicycle OO abus aferry 0 is talking to Mr Smith? 1 afootbalter TA adoctor OO achemist porrocedo © quence ‘What is the woman looking for? AO achureh iqfesin BE] asupermarket = a sports centre What does the boy want? A 1] afootball shirt football boots CO] trainersSection 2 (© ___ Youwill hear a recording about a sports competition. Listen tothe whole recording once. Then you will hear the recording again with pauses for you to © write down what you hear. Make sure you spell the words correctly. pes pos PUELEAEEEESAEEEAEEEEAREE ty wobcocy ether. & began” aos oe paras ac Hee .435—gaaes._Lhe—_taiva.._qiyp.—.terle The toler. school Fealball dewcooard jesfrtved ro febcary due fy fo...adveese.....wtathes....cacdihor ct tow. garna tbo hele May eoms. $eups.,ucth ploy. Qeotyo GEMS. Wreers unl tenet in the. pecallYou will hear an announcement from a rail company. First read the notes below, then listen and complete the notes with information from the announcement. You will hear the recording twice. xample: Announcement from .Seuthern Trains. Trains to London have been S) Passengers will see buses to London outside ... The expected delay to the London service is. BS) Other services are There is more information on... ‘You will hear a recorded message. First read the notes below then listen and complete the notes with information from the recorded message. You will hear the recording twice. Z| Where son lives: = Reason for visit: 5] Length of stay in England: Date of party: Name of the restaurant: