Reading Part 3:Multiple Choice
Longer text · general meaning, detail, opinion & purpose
PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral
Why this lesson now? Revisits Reading 3 from M03; introduces Listening 4 (interview) and conditionals.
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
When you read an article, do you read every word — or scan first?
Why do exam writers add 'almost right' wrong options?
What's the difference between informing, persuading and entertaining a reader?
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minRewording patterns in PET Part 3
Correct answers reword the text — they almost never repeat the same words.
PET Reading Part 3 tests whether you can match meaning, not vocabulary. The text says one thing; the correct option says the same thing with different words. Tempting wrong answers usually copy a word from the text but change the meaning.
→ Text: 'She found it tough at first.' → Answer: 'She struggled to start with.'
→ Text: 'There was no charge.' → Answer: 'Entry was free.'
→ Text: 'He hadn't expected it.' → Answer: 'He was surprised.'
Question 1.Text: 'The journey took ages.' Which is the best rewording?
Question 2.Text: 'It's not as hard as people say.' Means:
Question 3.Text: 'I'd recommend going early.' Means:
Question 4.Best rewording of 'turned out to be brilliant':
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Quick check 1.Why is repeating exact words from the text usually WRONG in Part 3?
Quick check 2.Best rewording of 'He hadn't expected it.'
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
a wrong option that looks correct
Why do exams use tempting wrong answers?
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use the new vocabulary immediately — short bursts, no long answers.
Ask your partner
- What was the main idea of the last text you read?
- Give me one detail from yesterday's news.
- Share one opinion you have about social media.
"The purpose of a recipe is to…"purpose
In 25–35 words, explain to a friend what a tempting wrong answer is and why rewording matters in PET.
Which is harder for you: spotting opinion or spotting purpose? Why?
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minStressed content words when reading aloud
Stress the words that carry meaning (nouns, verbs, adjectives) — glide over the rest.
- • The MAIN idea is that COFFEE helps people FOCUS.
- • Most TEENAGERS prefer STREAMING to going to the CINEMA.
- • She EVENTUALLY decided to STUDY abroad.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minPET Reading Part 3 — A summer that changed Liam
Last August, sixteen-year-old Liam left his small town in Wales to spend three weeks at a junior basketball camp in Madrid. He had never travelled without his parents before, and he didn't speak much Spanish. 'I was completely terrified at the airport,' he admits, 'but I'd promised my coach I'd go, so I couldn't back out.'
The first week was the hardest. The training sessions started at seven in the morning, and the heat was nothing like home. Liam shared a room with two boys from Italy who, luckily, spoke good English. By the end of the week, he was beginning to enjoy the routine — and surprised himself by ordering breakfast in Spanish for the first time.
What really changed him, he says, wasn't the basketball. 'I learned more about myself in three weeks than in three years at school. I learned I could sort out problems on my own.' He came home with a small medal, a louder voice and a plan to study languages at university. His mum says he's almost a different person — 'more grown-up, but also more relaxed'. Liam already wants to go back next summer.
Question 1.How did Liam feel at the start of the trip?
Question 2.Why was the first week difficult?
Question 3.What surprised Liam by the end of week one?
Question 4.What does Liam think changed him most?
Question 5.The writer's main purpose is to…
Q1.Liam had travelled abroad without his parents before.
Q2.His Italian roommates spoke good English.
Q3.He says the basketball was what changed him most.
Q4.His mother thinks he came back more grown-up.
1.What does the coach want Liam to do?
OPEN PRACTICE
Saturdays 4–6pm. All levels welcome. Bring trainers — no outdoor shoes on court.
2.What does the notice tell you?
3.Why is the office writing?
LOST PROPERTY
Blue water bottle found on Court 3. Collect from reception with your name.
4.What should you do if it's yours?
PLEASE return trays to the trolley. Do not leave them on the table.
5.The sign asks you to…
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minPET Listening Part 4 — Interview: Liam talks about his summer in Madrid
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Interviewer:Liam, three weeks abroad on your own — what was the hardest part?
Liam:Honestly? The first night. I really thought about flying home. But by the third day I was fine — once I'd made friends in my room.
Interviewer:And what about the basketball itself?
Liam:The level was much higher than at home. I wasn't a star, but I improved a lot — especially my defending. The coaches gave really clear feedback.
Interviewer:Would you recommend it to other teenagers?
Liam:Definitely — but only if you really want it. It's not a holiday. You'll be tired, you'll be away from home, and you have to handle small problems yourself. That's the best bit, actually.
Question 1.What was the hardest moment for Liam?
Question 2.What improved most?
Question 3.Who should NOT go, according to Liam?
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minPET Reading Part 3 — choosing between close options
Underline the line in the text that proves your answer. No proof → wrong option.
Task
Read the question first. Find the part of the text it refers to. Then read all four options and reject the ones that change the meaning.
Example
Text: 'Liam came home with a small medal.' Wrong: 'He won the tournament.' Right: 'He brought back a prize.'
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.PET Reading Part 6 (open cloze) — type ONE word: 'Liam had never travelled ____ his parents before.'
Q2.Type ONE word: 'He didn't speak ____ Spanish.'
Q3.Type ONE word: 'He learned more ____ three weeks than in three years.'
PET Writing Part 2 (article, ≈100 words). Write a magazine article: 'A trip that changed me'. Cover where you went, the hardest moment, and what you learned about yourself.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Last year I joined a week-long climbing course in the Alps. On day one I genuinely wanted to go home — I'd never slept in a bunk room before and I felt nine again. By Wednesday, though, I was the one calming a younger climber on the rock face. The trip didn't make me a better climber, but it taught me that I can handle things alone if I have to. I came back tired, sunburnt and weirdly proud. I'd recommend that kind of trip to anyone who thinks they can't do it.
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
PET Speaking Part 4 (discussion). In pairs, discuss: Is it good for teenagers to travel without their parents? Give reasons and examples.
- ExaminerDo you think teenagers should travel without their parents?
- Candidate_______________
- ExaminerAnd what's the main risk?
- Candidate_______________
Candidate A — A networking event
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see?
- • Where do you think they are?
- • How are they feeling?
- • Why might they be there?
- • Would you enjoy this kind of event?
Candidate B — Friends in a café
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see?
- • What time of day might it be?
- • What are they probably talking about?
- • How do they look?
- • Do you meet friends in cafés?
Useful phrases
- • In the photo I can see…
- • It looks as if…
- • They seem to be…
- • In the background…
- • I think they're probably…
Show model 1-minute description
In the first photo I can see a group of adults standing in what looks like a conference centre. They're holding drinks and chatting in small groups, so it's probably a networking break between talks. They look quite relaxed and interested in each other.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Stretch students from option-elimination into confident rewording work. ~32 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.
PET Reading Part 3 mock — re-read the passage from Section 5 with an 8-minute timer. Answer the 5 questions below and mark the exact line that proves each answer.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Text
5-item mock
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
PET Writing Part 2 mock — write a 100-word article titled 'A trip that changed me'. Use the checklist below to self-mark.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Article prompt
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
PET Speaking Part 2 mock — record a 60-second description of a photo. Use the frame below.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Photo prompt
Frame
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Part 3 = 1 long text, 5 multiple-choice questions.
- Correct answers reword the text — they don't copy it.
- Always find the line in the text that proves your answer.
- Read the question, then scan — don't try to memorise the text.
- Tempting wrong answers reuse text vocabulary with a twisted meaning.