Escape Campus
Back to syllabus
Lesson 01
Module 01 · Foundations
B1

PET Speaking Part 1 & Writing Part 1Personal Information

Speaking 1 interview · Writing 1 email reply.

60 min PET — Personal information (Speaking 1 + Writing 1)

PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral

Reading 1Speaking 1Writing 1GrammarVocabulary

Why this lesson now? Introduces Reading 1, Speaking 1 and Writing 1 — each will return in later modules.

CEFR Pathway · You are here

  1. A0/A1Beginner
  2. A1/A2Elementary
  3. A2/B1Pre-Intermediate
  4. B1/B1+Intermediate
  5. B2Upper-Intermediate
  6. C1Advanced
  7. C2Proficiency

Get ready · 01

5 min

Get talking

activity
Name + spell

In pairs: 'What's your name? How do you spell your surname?' Use 'double L', 'capital M'.

activity
Extend the answer

Answer 'Do you work or are you a student?' in 3 sentences: what + where + one detail.

reflection
Spot the 4 notes

Look at a PET Writing 1 email. Find the 4 notes you must answer.

Grammar for the Exam · 02

8–10 min

Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Grammar Bank: Present Simple vs Present ContinuousJumps straight to this rule — full explanation, examples & practice
Quick rule

Mix both tenses in one answer: routine (Simple) + right now / this term (Continuous). State verbs (know, like, want) stay Simple.

Examples

In PET Speaking Part 1 the examiner expects a ROUTINE answer (Present Simple) and a RIGHT-NOW answer (Present Continuous) inside the same turn. In PET Writing Part 1, the 4 content points almost always force the same mix: 'what you do' (Simple) + 'what you're doing this term' (Continuous). Getting both tenses in one answer is what moves PET candidates from Band 2 (limited range) to Band 4 (good range). State verbs (know, like, want, believe) stay in the simple form.

  • → S1 model: 'I work in marketing, mostly on social campaigns — at the moment I'm running a rebrand for a small bakery.' (Simple + Continuous in ONE turn — PET Band 4)

  • → W1 model: 'I study Economics at the University of Bristol. This term I'm doing a project on green energy.' (Simple = course; Continuous = current term)

  • → S1 model: 'I usually walk to my classes, but this week I'm cycling because the buses are on strike.' (routine vs temporary — PET Band 4)

  • → S1 model: 'I know what you mean.' NOT 'I am knowing…' (state verb — PET examiners notice this error)

Visual
Frequency adverbs — the PET S1 vocabulary booster

PET Speaking is marked on vocabulary range. Dropping ONE frequency adverb per answer is the easiest way to lift your band score.

0%50%100%
  • 100%

    always

    I always check the news first thing.

  • 85%

    usually

    I usually walk to work.

  • 70%

    often

    We often meet up on Fridays.

  • 45%

    sometimes

    I sometimes work from a café.

  • 15%

    hardly ever

    I hardly ever watch TV in the week.

  • 0%

    never

    I never skip breakfast.

Question 1.Q: 'What do you do?' Best natural answer:

Question 2.Sorry, I can't chat — I ____ a deadline today.

Question 3.These days I ____ Italian online twice a week.

Question 4.Choose the natural sentence with a state verb:

Question 5.Right now Maya ____ a film for her course.

Question 6.Tom usually ____ the bus, but this week he's cycling to save money.

Answer all items, then check.
Conversation Builder
Say it naturally

Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.

1.PET S1 answer to 'Where do you live?'

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

2.PET S1 'right now' sentence

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

3.PET W1 opener to a study-partner email

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

Quick check 1.PET S1 — which answer would score highest in Speaking Part 1?

Answer all items, then check.

Exam Vocabulary · 03

5–7 min

Words & phrases to own

Open Vocabulary BankTap any word below to jump straight to its entry
1

based in

'I'm based in Edinburgh.'

Use it

Say where YOU are based in one sentence.

2

originally from

'I'm originally from Lima.'

Use it

Say where you are originally from + where you live now.

3

study + subject + at

'I study Tourism at a college in Madrid.'

Use it

Tell a partner what you study/do AND where.

4

I'm really into…

'I'm really into photography.'

Use it

Name ONE thing you're really into right now.

5

at the moment

'At the moment I'm preparing for an exam.'

Use it

Say one thing you're doing 'at the moment'.

6

for about + time period

'I've been living here for about three years.'

Use it

Say how long you've been studying English using 'for about…'.

Matching
PET S1 vocabulary drill — match each PET-style opener with the question it answers in Speaking Part 1.

Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Answer all items, then check.
Categorise
PET Speaking Part 1 has FIVE fixed question areas. Sort each candidate sentence under the PET S1 question it would answer.
Answer all items, then check.
Use it now

Activation · Personalise · Recycle

Use the 6 chunks NOW — don't just recognise them. You'll meet them again in Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.

Ask your partner
Task 1

Ask your partner

  • Where are you originally from, and where are you based now?
  • What are you really into outside of class?
  • What are you working on at the moment?
  • How long have you been studying English?
Useoriginally frombased inI'm really into…at the momentfor about…
Complete it
Task 2

"At the moment I'm _____ because ___."at the moment

Rank
Task 3

Rank these 'free time' answers from MOST to LEAST natural for a PET examiner.

  1. 1I'm really into bouldering — I usually go twice a week with a friend.
  2. 2In my free time I read books and watch films sometimes.
  3. 3Free time: cinema, friends, sport.
  4. 4I like sport.

Then compare with a partner — justify your top choice.

Your opinion
Task 4

Which sounds more natural in PET S1: 'I live in Madrid' OR 'I'm based in Madrid'? Why?

Give your answer + one reason.

Usebased in
Quick write
Task 5

Write 3 PET-style sentences about YOU using a different chunk in each one.

Useoriginally frombased inI'm really into…at the momentfor about…study + subject + at
Discuss
Task 6

Tell your partner 3 things you do 'usually' and 1 thing you're doing 'at the moment'. Then swap.

Talk for 60 seconds with a partner.
Useat the moment
PET Reading Part 2
PET Reading Part 2 — Five people are looking for a class to join after work. Match each person to the best of the eight class descriptions. There are THREE extra classes you will NOT need.

Tap a person, then tap the text that best matches their needs.

The 5 people

The 8 texts

Answer all items, then check.

Pronunciation for Speaking · 04

3–4 min

Weak forms & contractions

Say it like this

Contract 'I am' → 'I'm'. Use weak 'at', 'the', 'for', 'of'. Run chunks together so they sound like one word.

  • • PET S1 chunk: 'I'm based in…' → /aɪm ˈbeɪst ɪn/ (contract 'I am' — never say 'I am based')
  • • PET S1 chunk: 'At the moment I'm…' → /ət ðə ˈməʊmənt aɪm/ (weak 'at' and 'the')
  • • PET S1 chunk: 'I've been studying for…' → /aɪv bɪn ˈstʌdiɪŋ fə/ (weak 'for')
  • • PET S1 chunk: 'a couple of years' → /ə ˈkʌpəl əv jɪəz/ (weak 'of')

Reading Skills · 05

8–10 min

PET Reading Part 3 — One longer text (5 MCQs)

I'm Hannah and I never expected to work in design. At university I studied history and assumed I'd end up teaching, like both my parents. After graduating I spent two years in a small museum in Cardiff, which I genuinely loved, but the pay was low and I couldn't see myself staying in Wales forever.

The turning point came when a friend asked me to redesign her café menu — just as a favour. I'd always doodled, but I'd never thought of design as a real job. I enjoyed it so much that I signed up for an evening course in branding. Six months later I had a small portfolio and three paying clients, all friends of friends.

I moved to London for what I told everyone would be 'just one year'. That was four years ago. I'm based in a shared studio in east London now, and most of my work is for independent food brands — small bakeries, coffee roasters, that kind of thing. At the moment I'm taking a part-time Italian course in the evenings. I'd genuinely like to move to Milan one day, although I know my London clients won't be thrilled when I do.

The hardest thing about freelancing isn't the work, it's switching off. I'm not naturally a workaholic, but when your laptop lives in your kitchen, the day never really ends. The Italian class has actually helped — three evenings a week I HAVE to leave the flat.

Question 1.What did Hannah originally plan to do as a career?

Question 2.Why did Hannah leave her museum job?

Question 3.How did Hannah's first design clients find her?

Question 4.What does Hannah mean by 'switching off' in the final paragraph?

Question 5.What is Hannah's main reason for liking the Italian class?

Answer all items, then check.
PET Reading Part 1
PET Reading Part 1 — Read each short text. Choose A, B or C to show what the message means.
Sign on a door at a co-working space

Meeting Room 3

MEETING ROOM 3 — In use 14:00–15:30. Please use Room 2 or Room 4 during this time. Do NOT knock — session is being recorded.

1.What should you do if you need a room between 2pm and 3:30pm?

Text message from a colleague
Priya08:42
Hi! Can't make 9am stand-up — train cancelled. Will join from the café at 9.20. Can you cover the design update for me?

2.Why has the colleague sent this message?

Notice in a language school staff room

New students

NEW STUDENTS — Please collect your starter pack from reception BEFORE your first class. Packs are not handed out in the classroom.

3.What does the notice tell new students?

Email auto-reply
From: Jordan Lee (auto-reply)Today, 09:01
Subject: Out of office
Thanks for your message. I'm out of the office until Monday and won't be checking email. For anything urgent please contact Sam (sam@studio.co).

4.What should the reader do if their question is urgent?

Notice in a café window

Free Wi-Fi · Laptops welcome

FREE Wi-Fi for customers — please ask staff for today's password. Laptops welcome, but tables of 4+ at lunchtime only with food order, please.

5.What does the notice tell laptop users?

Answer all items, then check.
PET Reading Part 4
PET Reading Part 4 — Five sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from sentences A–H the one which fits each gap. There are THREE sentences you do NOT need.

Article: 'How I introduce myself at networking events'

I used to dread networking events. Now I actually enjoy them, and I think the change is mostly about how I introduce myself. The first thing I learned is that a one-word job title is not enough. So instead of saying 'I'm a designer', I now say what I design and who for — something like 'I design packaging for small food brands'. The second thing is to mention something current. It gives the other person an easy follow-up question, and it makes me sound like someone who actually does the job, not just someone with a title. The third thing is harder, but it really works. You don't have to share anything personal — even a small detail like 'I cycled here from Hackney' is enough. After that, you stop talking and ask the other person something. And honestly, that's the bit most people forget.

Sentence options

Answer all items, then check.

Listening Skills · 06

8–10 min

PET Listening Part 4 — Two colleagues introduce themselves at a conference (interview style)

Listening audio

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

Show transcript

Olivia:Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Olivia.

Harry:Nice to meet you, Olivia. I'm Harry. So, what brings you to the conference?

Olivia:I work in HR, mostly on training programmes. We're rolling out a new one next month, so I'm here for ideas, really. How about you?

Harry:I'm based in the Bristol office — I look after recruitment. At the moment we're trying to hire about twenty people, which is quite intense.

Olivia:Oh wow, that does sound full-on. Are you originally from Bristol?

Harry:No, I'm from Newcastle, but I've been in Bristol for about five years now. And you?

Olivia:I'm in London, although I'm working from home most weeks. It's a good balance.

Question 1.1. Why is Olivia at the conference?

Question 2.2. What does Harry say about his current workload?

Question 3.3. How long has Harry lived in Bristol?

Question 4.4. Olivia's working pattern is now…

Question 5.5. How does Olivia feel about her current balance?

Question 6.6. Harry's main reason for being at the conference is to…

Answer all items, then check.
PET Listening Part 3
PET Listening Part 3 — You will hear Olivia introducing her team at a conference. Complete the notes. Use ONE or TWO words for each gap.

Part 3 audio

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

Conference notes — Olivia (HR, London office)

Information sheet

Delegate information sheet · printed handout from the welcome desk

  • Department:
  • Main project this year:
  • Number of new starters expected:
  • Office she works from:
  • Days per week from home:
  • Harry's role at the company:
Answer all items, then check.

Exam Strategy · 07

5 min

PET Speaking Part 1 — interview

Strategy

Extend every answer: Routine + Right now + Feeling + Small follow-up. Never stop at one sentence.

Task

Answer the examiner's opening questions ('What's your name?', 'Where are you from?', 'Tell me a little about yourself') in 4–5 natural sentences.

Example

Well, I work as a project manager for a small architecture firm in Leeds. I usually handle two or three sites at the same time, so it's quite varied. At the moment I'm leading a school renovation, which is honestly the most interesting project I've worked on so far. Outside work, I'm into hiking — what about you?

Writing Task · 08

5 min

Put it in writing

Sentence transformation
Type a short answer (1–3 words)

Q1.Open cloze: 'I'm originally ____ Cardiff, but I'm based in London now.'

Q2.Open cloze: 'At the ____ I'm taking an Italian course.'

Q3.Open cloze: 'I've ____ living here for about three years.'

Q4.Open cloze: 'I work ____ marketing, mostly on social campaigns.'

Q5.Open cloze: 'I'd describe myself ____ quite easy-going.'

Q6.Open cloze: 'I'm not really ____ team sports, but I run twice a week.'

Answer all items, then check.
Writing Part 2Write an article
≈100 words

Quick orientation — PET Writing 1 is marked on Content (4 notes), Communicative Achievement, Organisation, Language. One missed note loses 25% of Content. Now do the full task below.

Your writing draft

0 words Saved
Show model answer & examiner comment

See the full stimulus task below for a Band 5 worked example.

EX

Examiner comment

Reward range, organisation and style. Penalise lists, off-topic or under-length answers.
Mark scheme extract
5All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only.
3Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding.
1Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length.
PET Writing Part 1 · Email
PET Writing Part 1 — Read this email from your new study partner Alex. Write your REPLY (about 100 words). You MUST respond to all FOUR notes.
From: AlexSubject: Nice to meet you!

Hi! Our teacher gave me your email — looks like we're going to be study partners this term. I'm really looking forward to it!

I thought I'd write first so we get to know each other a bit before Monday. Tell me a bit about yourself — I'll do the same in my next email. Can't wait to hear back. Speak soon, Alex

✎ Where are you from / based?
✎ What do you do (study / work)?
✎ What's ONE thing you're working on right now?
✎ What are you really into outside of class?

Your reply must cover:

  1. Say where you're originally from AND where you live now.
  2. Say what you do — and add ONE detail (e.g. what you study / specialise in).
  3. Describe ONE current project using the Present Continuous.
  4. Mention an interest using a natural expression like 'I'm really into…'.
Show model answer

Hi Alex, Great to hear from you! I'm originally from Brighton, but I'm based in Edinburgh now — I moved here for university and never left. I work as a freelance graphic designer, mostly for small food brands. At the moment I'm building my own portfolio website, which has been much more work than I expected! Outside work, I'm really into bouldering — I usually go twice a week with a friend after work. Looking forward to Monday. Tell me about you in your next email! Best, Ella

Speaking Task · 09

10–15 min

Make it a real conversation

Open Expressions BankConversation phrases and functional language from across the course

Groups of 3 (Examiner + 2 Candidates). Examiner asks ONE question to each candidate in turn. Answer in 2–3 sentences. No interrupting. Swap roles every 90 seconds.

Useful phrases

Dialogue completion
PET Speaking Part 1 micro-drill — the EXAMINER's lines are fixed (real PET script). Choose the candidate answer that would score highest in PET (extended + correct tense mix + one detail).
  • ExaminerDo you work or are you a student?
  • Candidate_______________
  • ExaminerNow, please tell me something about your free time.
  • Candidate_______________
Answer all items, then check.
PET Speaking Part 1 · Examiner script
PET Speaking Part 1 — Examiner-led interview (2–3 minutes). Work in pairs and take turns being the examiner. Read the questions in the same order as the real exam.

Phase 1 — short factual questions

  1. 1.Examiner: "What's your name?"

    Tip: One short sentence — name only.

  2. 2.Examiner: "How do you spell your surname?"

    Tip: Spell letter by letter; use 'double' for double letters.

  3. 3.Examiner: "Where do you live?"

    Tip: Town/city + one detail (e.g. district, how long).

  4. 4.Examiner: "Do you work or are you a student?"

    Tip: Job/study + ONE extra detail (what / where).

Phase 2 — extended question (aim for 3–5 sentences)

Examiner: "Now, please tell me something about your free time."

Tip: Aim for 3–5 sentences: routine + 'at the moment' + how you feel about it. Don't stop after one short sentence.

Show model extended answer

Well, in my free time I really like hiking — I usually go once a month with a group of friends from work. At the moment I'm also trying to learn how to take better photos, so I bring my camera every time. I'd say I'm not the most experienced photographer yet, but I'm enjoying it a lot. What about you?

PET Speaking Part 2 · Photo description
PET Speaking Part 2 — Each candidate has a different colour photograph. Describe YOUR photograph for about 1 minute. Don't read the prompts — use them as a guide.
Candidate A Photograph 1
Two colleagues introducing themselves at a busy professional conference, shaking hands and smiling.

Candidate A — your photograph

Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
  • • Where are these people and what are they doing?
  • • What do you think they do for work?
  • • How do they look — confident, nervous, friendly? Why?
  • • Have you ever been to a conference or networking event?
Candidate B Photograph 2
A small group of friends meeting in a coffee shop, smiling and talking around a wooden table with drinks.

Candidate B — your photograph

Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
  • • Where are these people and what are they doing?
  • • How do you think they know each other?
  • • What are they probably talking about?
  • • When was the last time you met someone new like this?

Useful phrases

  • • In this photo I can see…
  • • It looks like they're…
  • • In the background / In the foreground there's…
  • • I'd say they're probably… because…
  • • It reminds me of a time when…
Show model 1-minute description

In this photograph I can see two people meeting at what looks like a big conference. They're shaking hands and both of them are smiling, so they seem friendly and quite relaxed. They're wearing lanyards, which makes me think it's their first time meeting in person. In the background there are lots of other people standing around, so it must be a really busy event. The man on the right looks confident — maybe he's used to networking — and the man on the left looks happy to be there too. It reminds me a bit of a careers event I went to last year.

Optional · Teacher-led

Teacher Activities

PET Speaking Part 1 exam-mode rehearsal — replicate exam conditions (timed, examiner-led, no interrupting between candidates). ~28 min total

Homework · 10

Take-home

Take it home

Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.

SpeakingProductive

PET Speaking Part 1 mock — record yourself answering all 4 Phase-1 examiner questions + the Phase-2 extended question. Aim for 2–3 sentences per Phase-1 answer and 4–5 sentences for Phase 2. Time yourself: total must be 2–3 minutes.

Your response

0 words Saved
WritingProductive

PET Writing Part 1 mock — write a ~100-word reply to the stimulus email below. Self-check: did you cover all 4 notes? Greeting + sign-off? At least one Present Continuous?

Your response

0 words Saved

Materials included

Stimulus email · from Sam (a new colleague)

Hi! Great to meet you at the welcome coffee this morning. I'm still finding my feet here — could you tell me a bit more about yourself and what you actually do day-to-day? Also, is there anywhere near the office you'd recommend for lunch? And are you free for a quick coffee this Friday? Speak soon, Sam • Reply to Sam. • Tell Sam what you do day-to-day. • Recommend a lunch place near the office. • Say whether you're free on Friday. • Ask Sam a question about their job. Write your reply in about 100 words.

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

ReadingReceptive

PET Reading Part 1 mini-set — complete 5 notices/signs MCQs (3 options each) in under 6 minutes. Aim for 4/5 to be on track for PET.

Your response

0 words Saved
VocabularyLanguage

PET Vocabulary List drill — learn 10 chunks from the PET 'Personal information / Daily life' topic area; write each in one full PET S1 sentence.

Your response

0 words Saved

Recap · 11

2–3 min

What you've learned

  • PET Speaking Part 1 = 4 short questions (Phase 1) + 1 extended question (Phase 2). Always extend; never give one-word answers.
  • PET Writing Part 1 = ≈100-word email reply. Cover all 4 notes — one missed note loses 25% of the Content mark.
  • Mix Present Simple (routine) + Present Continuous (right now / this term) in BOTH tasks — it lifts Vocabulary Range and Grammar bands.
  • Use weak forms and contractions ('I'm based in…', 'at the moment I'm…') to score Pronunciation Band 3+.
  • Never use 'am knowing / am liking / am believing' — state verbs stay in the simple form and PET examiners flag this error.
  • Greeting + sign-off are scored under Communicative Achievement in W1 — never start with 'Hello Alex,' and forget the closing.
  • Recycled chunks you OWN now: based in · originally from · I'm really into… · at the moment · for about… · study + subject + at.
All lessonsLesson 2 →