Module 10 —Timed Reading & Use of English
All six Reading parts against the clock · answer-sheet transfer · error review
PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral
Why this lesson now? Full Reading paper under exam timing.
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
The Reading paper gives you about 7–8 minutes per part. If Part 2 is taking you 15 minutes, what should you do?
Why do many candidates lose marks even when they know the right answers?
Rate how confident you feel about each Reading part 1–5. Which part needs most practice today?
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minReference words under pressure: it, this, one, so
Before you choose an answer, find exactly what a pronoun or reference word replaces in the previous sentence.
In timed reading, small reference words cause big mistakes because candidates rush past them. Words like 'it', 'this', 'these', 'one' and 'so' point back to something earlier in the text, and Reading Parts 4 and 5 often test whether you understood that link, not just the surface meaning of a sentence. When you're working fast against the clock, train yourself to pause for two seconds on any pronoun in a question or gapped sentence and ask 'what exactly does this refer to?' before choosing your answer. This single habit prevents a large number of avoidable errors in exam conditions.
→ The museum closed early. This meant visitors had to leave before the tour finished. ('This' = the museum closing early)
→ She tried the blue jacket and the red one, but bought neither. ('one' = jacket)
→ He hadn't studied for the test, so he felt nervous. ('so' shows a result of not studying)
Question 1.'The shop was closed. This surprised us.' What does 'This' refer to?
Question 2.'I liked the black shoes better than the brown ones.' What does 'ones' replace?
Question 3.Which word usually shows a result?
Question 4.'He forgot his ticket, so he missed the train.' What caused him to miss the train?
Question 5.Best strategy for reference words under time pressure:
Quick check 1.Roughly how long should you spend on one Reading part in the exam?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
to read quickly for the general idea
When do you skim a text before reading it carefully?
to look quickly for a specific detail, like a name or number
What might you scan a timetable for?
to copy your answers onto the official answer sheet
Why must you leave time to transfer your answers?
a wrong option written to look tempting
How can you spot a tempting wrong answer in a multiple-choice question?
to rule out an answer you're sure is wrong
What's the first option you'd eliminate in a tricky question?
to not have enough time left to finish
What do you do if you're running out of time in Part 6?
to look again carefully to confirm something is correct
Which part of the exam do you always double-check?
to not answer a question
Why is it never a good idea to leave a gap blank in PET?
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use each timing word to describe your own reading habits under pressure.
Ask your partner
- Do you skim or scan first when you open a new text?
- What do you always double-check before moving on?
- How do you stop yourself running out of time?
"When I'm not sure of an answer, I first eliminate…"eliminate
Is it better to leave a gap blank or guess? Give a reason.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 35 words giving one piece of advice to a nervous exam candidate about timing.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minStress in compound timing phrases
Stress the key content word: 'run OUT of time', 'DOUBLE-check', 'TRANSFER your answers'.
- • Don't run out of time.
- • Always double-check your answers.
- • Transfer your answers carefully.
- • Eliminate the wrong options first.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minReading recycle — the last ten minutes
Exam invigilators often notice the same pattern in the final ten minutes of a Reading and Use of English paper. Some candidates are calmly checking their answer sheet, while others are still writing frantically, trying to finish the last part before time is called. Research into exam technique suggests that the second group usually scores lower, even when they know the material just as well as the first group.
The difference is planning. Strong candidates decide, before the exam starts, roughly how many minutes each part deserves, and they check the clock regularly rather than only at the end. If a part is taking too long, they make their best guess, mark the question to review later if time allows, and move on. This means every part gets attempted, and no easy marks are lost simply because time ran out.
Just as importantly, these candidates leave two or three minutes at the end purely for transferring and checking answers. A correct answer only counts if it is marked clearly in the right place on the answer sheet, so this final check is not wasted time — it protects marks that have already been earned.
Question 1.What pattern do invigilators often notice in the final ten minutes?
Question 2.According to the text, why does the second group often score lower?
Question 3.What do strong candidates decide before the exam starts?
Question 4.What should you do if a part is taking too long?
Question 5.Why is the final check not wasted time?
An article about staying calm during a long exam.
Sentence options
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minListening recycle — comparing timing strategies
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Mr Adams:So, how did the timed Reading practice go for everyone this week?
Nadia:Honestly, I ran out of time on Part 4. I spent way too long on Part 2.
Mr Adams:That's really common. How many minutes did you spend on Part 2?
Nadia:I think about fifteen. I kept rereading the same texts.
Mr Adams:Try setting a limit of eight minutes next time, even if you're not fully sure.
Tom:I finished on time, but I forgot to transfer my last two answers onto the sheet.
Mr Adams:That's an expensive mistake — those answers were probably correct in your head.
Tom:Exactly, it was frustrating. I'll leave three minutes at the end from now on.
Nadia:Should we practise with a real timer at home this week?
Mr Adams:Yes, please — time yourselves on one full paper before our next lesson.
Question 1.What problem did Nadia have?
Question 2.How many minutes does Mr Adams suggest for Part 2?
Question 3.What mistake did Tom make?
Question 4.How much time will Tom leave at the end next time?
Question 5.What does Mr Adams ask the students to do before the next lesson?
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minFull Reading paper timing strategy
Budget your time → attempt every question → transfer with time to spare.
Task
Complete all six Reading parts within the exam time limit and transfer every answer accurately onto the answer sheet.
Example
Nadia spent too long on Part 2 and lost time for Part 4; Tom finished the paper but forgot to transfer two answers. Both lost marks they could have kept with better time management.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Give one reason why leaving three minutes at the end is important.
Q2.What word describes a wrong option designed to look tempting?
Write a short note (35–45 words) to a study partner giving them one piece of advice about managing time in the Reading paper.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Hi! One tip that really helped me: set a time limit for each part before you start, like eight minutes for Part 2. If it's taking too long, guess and move on. Also, leave three minutes at the end to transfer your answers carefully. Good luck!
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
In pairs, discuss your own timing weaknesses from a recent practice test and agree on one strategy each of you will try next time.
Talk together about
What is the biggest timing mistake candidates make in the Reading paper?
Share opinions, agree and disagree — you do not have to talk only about yourself.
Ideas you could discuss
- Spending too long on one part
- Forgetting to transfer answers
- Leaving gaps blank
Round off the discussion
Agree on the single most important timing rule to follow in the real exam.
Useful discussion language
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Extra timing-focused activities if the group needs more rehearsal. ~25 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake 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.
Complete one full timed Reading practice at home, recording how many minutes you spend on each part.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Instructions
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Vocab review: write one sentence for each timing word using your own exam experience.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Words
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Redo Reading Part 4 from class without looking at the answers, then compare your choices.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Task
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- We practised managing time across all six Reading parts under exam conditions.
- We learned to notice reference words (it, this, one, so) that link ideas across sentences.
- We reviewed a gapped-text article and practised choosing missing sentences with tempting wrong answers.
- We discussed real timing mistakes (running out of time, forgetting to transfer answers) and how to avoid them.
- We agreed on personal timing strategies to use in a full practice test before the Exit Test.