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PEIC A1 study materials
PEIC A1 study resources

PEIC A1 practice questions

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Question 1Listening

You hear: 'Good morning. Can I have a coffee, please?' Where does this conversation most likely take place?

  1. At a train station
  2. In a café Correct answer.
  3. At a hospital
  4. In a library

Explanation

The speaker is ordering a drink, using the polite request 'Can I have...'. Ordering food or drink is the typical language function of a café or restaurant setting, so that is the best match among the choices.

Question 2Listening

You hear: 'The meeting starts at half past nine.' What time does the meeting start?

  1. 10:30
  2. 9:00
  3. 9:30 Correct answer.
  4. 8:30

Explanation

In English, 'half past' means thirty minutes after the hour, so 'half past nine' is 9:30. The hour named is the hour already passed, not the next one.

Question 3Listening

You hear: 'My sister is a nurse. She works at night.' What do you learn about the speaker's sister?

  1. She studies at night.
  2. She works in a school.
  3. She sleeps at night.
  4. She works during the night. Correct answer.

Explanation

The second sentence directly states 'She works at night', which means her working hours are during the night. The job 'nurse' also fits a night-shift context, confirming the meaning.

Question 4Listening

You hear: 'Could you say that again, please?' Why does the speaker say this?

  1. To offer help
  2. To ask for repetition Correct answer.
  3. To say goodbye
  4. To end the conversation

Explanation

'Could you say that again?' is a standard polite request for someone to repeat what they said, usually because it was not heard clearly. The word 'again' signals repetition.

Question 5Listening

You hear: 'The shop is next to the bank, opposite the park.' Where is the shop?

  1. Between the bank and the park
  2. Beside the bank, facing the park Correct answer.
  3. Inside the park
  4. Behind the bank

Explanation

'Next to the bank' places the shop beside the bank, and 'opposite the park' means it faces the park across something such as a road. Combining both gives a position beside the bank and across from the park.

Question 6Listening

You hear: 'I'd like to book a table for four at seven o'clock.' What is the caller doing?

  1. Reserving a table Correct answer.
  2. Paying a bill
  3. Ordering dessert
  4. Cancelling a booking

Explanation

'Book a table' is the standard phrase for reserving a place to eat, and the caller gives a number of people and a time. This is a reservation request, not a payment or cancellation.

Question 7Listening

You hear: 'Take the second turning on the left, then it's the first building on your right.' What is the listener told to do first?

  1. Go straight past a school
  2. Turn right immediately
  3. Look for a building on the right
  4. Take the second left Correct answer.

Explanation

The instruction begins with 'Take the second turning on the left', so that is the first action. The building on the right comes only after that turn, as the word 'then' shows.

Question 8Listening

You hear: 'Sorry, I can't come on Friday. I have to work late.' What is the speaker explaining?

  1. Why they cannot meet on Friday Correct answer.
  2. Why they want to change jobs
  3. Why they are late for work
  4. Why Friday is a holiday

Explanation

The speaker refuses an arrangement for Friday and gives the reason: working late. The phrase 'I can't come' signals an inability to attend, and the second sentence supplies the cause.

Question 9Listening

You hear: 'The train to Bristol leaves from platform six at ten fifteen.' Which detail is given about the train?

  1. Its arrival time in Bristol
  2. Its ticket price
  3. Its number of stops
  4. Its platform and departure time Correct answer.

Explanation

The announcement states the platform (six) and the departure time (ten fifteen). No price, stop count, or arrival time is included in the message.

Question 10Listening

You hear: 'I usually get up at seven, but at weekends I sleep until nine.' What does the speaker do at weekends?

  1. Get up at six
  2. Get up at seven
  3. Go to work early
  4. Sleep until nine Correct answer.

Explanation

The word 'but' contrasts weekday and weekend habits, and the weekend part says 'I sleep until nine'. The seven o'clock time belongs to usual weekdays only.

Question 11Listening

You hear: 'Would you like tea or coffee?' What is the speaker doing?

  1. Saying there is no coffee
  2. Telling someone to drink tea
  3. Ordering a drink for themselves
  4. Asking about a drink preference Correct answer.

Explanation

'Would you like...?' is an offer, and the two options ask the listener to choose a drink. The speaker is therefore asking about the listener's preference, not ordering for themselves.

Question 12Listening

You hear: 'The museum is closed on Mondays and open from ten to six on other days.' When can you visit the museum?

  1. On Tuesday at five in the afternoon Correct answer.
  2. On Sunday at seven in the evening
  3. On Monday morning
  4. Every day from ten to six

Explanation

Tuesday is not Monday, and five in the afternoon falls before the six o'clock closing time, so a visit is possible then. Monday is closed and the opening hours end at six.

Question 13Listening

You hear: 'I've got a headache and a sore throat.' What is the speaker describing?

  1. A health problem Correct answer.
  2. A weather report
  3. A shopping list
  4. A train delay

Explanation

Headache and sore throat are common symptoms, so the speaker is describing how they feel physically. This vocabulary belongs to health and illness contexts, such as a doctor's appointment.

Question 14Listening

You hear: 'Can you speak more slowly, please? My English isn't very good.' What does the listener learn about the speaker?

  1. They are a native English speaker
  2. They cannot hear at all
  3. They want to end the lesson
  4. They are learning English and need slower speech Correct answer.

Explanation

The request for slower speech plus the comment that their English 'isn't very good' shows the speaker is still learning. Asking someone to slow down is a common strategy for learners.

Question 15Listening

You hear: 'The film starts at eight, so let's meet at half seven outside the cinema.' Why does the speaker suggest half seven?

  1. Because the cinema closes at seven
  2. To have time before the film starts Correct answer.
  3. To arrive after the film begins
  4. Because the film is at half seven

Explanation

Meeting thirty minutes before the eight o'clock film gives time to buy tickets and find seats. The earlier meeting time is a practical arrangement, not the film's start time.

Question 16Listening

You hear: 'Sorry, the chicken is off today. Would you like the fish instead?' What does the waiter mean?

  1. The chicken is expensive.
  2. The chicken is a special offer.
  3. The chicken is cold.
  4. The chicken is not available. Correct answer.

Explanation

In restaurant language, food that is 'off' is unavailable because it has run out or cannot be served. The offer of an alternative dish confirms this meaning.

Question 17Listening

You hear: 'If you'd like to leave a message, please speak after the tone.' What should the caller do?

  1. Wait for the tone, then speak Correct answer.
  2. Hang up immediately
  3. Press a number to speak to a person
  4. Call back later in the day

Explanation

This is a recorded voicemail instruction: the caller should record a message after hearing the beep. The tone signals when recording begins.

Question 18Listening

You hear: 'I was going to take the bus, but it was raining, so I took a taxi.' How did the speaker travel?

  1. On foot
  2. By taxi Correct answer.
  3. By train
  4. By bus

Explanation

The structure 'was going to... but...' shows a change of plan, and the final action is taking a taxi. The bus was only the original intention, not what happened.

Question 19Listening

You hear: 'The weather will be sunny in the morning, with rain in the afternoon.' What should you take if you go out after lunch?

  1. An umbrella Correct answer.
  2. A coat for snow
  3. Sunglasses only
  4. A swimming costume

Explanation

The forecast predicts afternoon rain, so an umbrella is the sensible item for going out after lunch. The sunny weather belongs to the morning.

Question 20Listening

You hear: 'My brother is taller than me, but I'm older.' Who is older?

  1. The speaker Correct answer.
  2. The speaker's sister
  3. They are the same age
  4. The brother

Explanation

The clause 'but I'm older' refers to the speaker, contrasting height with age. The brother is taller, yet the speaker has the greater age.

Question 21Listening

You hear: 'Please have your passport ready at the gate.' Where would you hear this?

  1. At a cinema
  2. At a library
  3. At a supermarket
  4. At an airport Correct answer.

Explanation

A passport and a gate are both associated with air travel, so this announcement belongs at an airport. The instruction prepares passengers for boarding.

Question 22Listening

You hear: 'I'm afraid I can't make it on Saturday. Something's come up.' What does the speaker mean?

  1. They cannot attend because of a problem Correct answer.
  2. They will arrive late on Saturday
  3. They have forgotten the day
  4. They want to change the time to Sunday

Explanation

'I can't make it' means the speaker cannot attend, and 'something's come up' gives the reason: an unexpected matter. It is a polite way to cancel or decline.

Question 23Listening

You hear: 'The flat has two bedrooms, a kitchen and a balcony, but no parking.' Which facility is missing?

  1. Parking Correct answer.
  2. A kitchen
  3. A balcony
  4. A second bedroom

Explanation

The word 'but' introduces the negative point, and 'no parking' states clearly that parking is not available. The other features are all listed positively.

Question 24Listening

You hear: 'Could I speak to Mr Jones, please?' What is the caller doing?

  1. Complaining about a bill
  2. Leaving a voicemail
  3. Ordering a product
  4. Asking to be connected to a person Correct answer.

Explanation

'Could I speak to...?' is the standard polite request to be connected to a particular person on the phone. It is the opening move of a call, not a complaint or order.

Question 25Listening

You hear: 'I've lived in this city for six years, but I still don't know it well.' What does the speaker say about the city?

  1. They moved there last year
  2. They have not explored it fully Correct answer.
  3. They know it very well
  4. They left it six years ago

Explanation

'For six years' shows how long they have lived there, and 'still don't know it well' means their knowledge is incomplete. The two parts together show long residence but limited familiarity.

Question 26Listening

You hear: 'Good morning, this is Riverside Dental. How can I help you?' Where is this conversation most likely taking place?

  1. At a supermarket checkout
  2. At a train station
  3. At a dentist's reception Correct answer.
  4. At a hotel front desk

Explanation

The speaker answers the phone with the name of a dental practice, so the call is to a dentist's reception. The words 'this is Riverside Dental' identify the business directly. No travel, shopping or hotel vocabulary appears in the line.

Question 27Listening

You hear: 'Could you pass me the salt, please?' What does the speaker want?

  1. To order a different dish
  2. To have the salt handed over Correct answer.
  3. To borrow some money
  4. To leave the table

Explanation

'Could you pass me the salt' is a polite request for someone to hand an object to the speaker. The verb 'pass' here means to give something to another person by hand. The other choices involve actions that are not mentioned in the line.

Question 28Listening

You hear: 'The next bus to the city centre leaves in ten minutes.' What information does the listener get?

  1. The number of the bus stop
  2. How long until the bus departs Correct answer.
  3. The price of the ticket
  4. Which company runs the bus

Explanation

'Leaves in ten minutes' tells the listener the waiting time before departure. The phrase 'in ten minutes' refers to a point in the future measured from now. Price, stop number and company name are not mentioned at all.

Question 29Listening

You hear: 'I'm calling about the advert for the bicycle you're selling.' Why is the caller phoning?

  1. To arrange a cycling holiday
  2. To ask about a bicycle for sale Correct answer.
  3. To return a borrowed bike
  4. To complain about a repair

Explanation

The caller says the call is 'about the advert' for a bicycle that is 'being sold', so the purpose is to enquire about buying it. The key nouns 'advert' and 'selling' point to a private sale. Complaints, holidays and returns are not part of the message.

Question 30Listening

You hear: 'Turn left at the lights and the bank is opposite the post office.' Where is the bank?

  1. Across from the post office Correct answer.
  2. Next to the lights
  3. On the same side as the post office
  4. Behind the post office

Explanation

'Opposite' means facing something on the other side of a road or space, so the bank is across from the post office. The instruction also tells the listener to turn left at the traffic lights to reach it. The other options describe different spatial relations that the line does not state.

Question 31Listening

You hear: 'I'd prefer to meet in the morning because I finish work at two.' When does the speaker want to meet?

  1. During their lunch break
  2. Before they start work Correct answer.
  3. In the evening
  4. After two o'clock

Explanation

The speaker says 'I'd prefer to meet in the morning' and gives the reason that work ends at two. Morning comes before the end of the working day, so the meeting should be before work finishes. The other options contradict the stated preference.

Question 32Listening

You hear: 'Sorry, I didn't catch that. Could you repeat the last part?' What is the listener asked to do?

  1. Speak more quietly
  2. Say the last part again Correct answer.
  3. Write the message down
  4. Change the subject

Explanation

'I didn't catch that' means the speaker did not hear or understand clearly, and 'could you repeat' is a request to say it again. The request is limited to 'the last part' of what was said. Volume, writing and topic change are not requested.

Question 33Listening

You hear: 'We open at nine on weekdays, but at ten on Sundays.' What time does the shop open on Sunday?

  1. It stays closed
  2. Ten o'clock Correct answer.
  3. Nine o'clock
  4. Eleven o'clock

Explanation

The sentence contrasts weekday opening at nine with Sunday opening at ten. The word 'but' signals the exception, and 'at ten on Sundays' gives the Sunday time. The shop is open on Sunday, just later than on other days.

Question 34Listening

You hear: 'The meeting has been moved from Tuesday to Thursday at the same time.' What has changed about the meeting?

  1. The time
  2. The speaker
  3. The room
  4. The day Correct answer.

Explanation

'Moved from Tuesday to Thursday' shows that only the day of the meeting is different. The phrase 'at the same time' confirms that the hour is unchanged. No room or speaker change is mentioned, so the day is the only correct answer.

Question 35Listening

You hear: 'I'll have the soup to start, and then the steak, please.' Where is this most likely said?

  1. In a restaurant Correct answer.
  2. In a library
  3. At a bus stop
  4. In a clothes shop

Explanation

Ordering a starter and a main course is typical restaurant language. 'To start' refers to the first course of a meal, and 'steak' is a food item. The vocabulary of libraries, transport and clothing does not appear.

Question 36Listening

You hear: 'If it rains tomorrow, the picnic will be in the hall instead of the park.' Where will the picnic be if the weather is wet?

  1. In the park
  2. At the speaker's house
  3. In the hall Correct answer.
  4. It will be cancelled

Explanation

The first conditional sentence sets a condition: rain tomorrow leads to a change of place. The words 'in the hall instead of the park' give the wet-weather location. The picnic is not cancelled, only moved indoors.

Question 37Listening

You hear: 'You need to change at Reading, then take the slow train to Oxford.' What must the traveller do at Reading?

  1. Get off and catch another train Correct answer.
  2. Ask for a refund
  3. Buy a new ticket
  4. Wait until the next day

Explanation

'Change at Reading' means leaving one train and boarding another at that station. The second train is described as the slow one to Oxford. Buying tickets, waiting a day or refunds are not part of the instruction.

Question 38Listening

You hear: 'I was going to call you, but my phone battery died.' Why didn't the speaker call?

  1. They were too busy
  2. They forgot the number
  3. Their phone had no power Correct answer.
  4. They lost their phone

Explanation

'My phone battery died' means the phone ran out of power, which explains why the call did not happen. 'I was going to' introduces an intention that was not carried out. Forgetting, being busy or losing the phone are not stated.

Question 39Listening

You hear: 'The flat is on the third floor and there's a lift, but the heating is broken.' What problem does the flat have?

  1. No lift
  2. No heating Correct answer.
  3. Too much noise
  4. A long way from shops

Explanation

The word 'but' introduces the negative point: 'the heating is broken'. The lift exists, and the floor number is given without complaint. Noise and distance from shops are not mentioned, so heating is the only fault described.

Question 40Listening

You hear: 'Could you tell Dr Patel that Mrs Brown called and will ring again after lunch?' What is the caller doing?

  1. Leaving a message for the doctor Correct answer.
  2. Booking an appointment for herself
  3. Asking for the doctor's address
  4. Cancelling an operation

Explanation

The caller gives her name and says she will call back later, which is the pattern of leaving a message for someone. 'Tell Dr Patel that...' hands information to a third person. No appointment, cancellation or address request appears.

Question 41Listening

You hear: 'The course runs for twelve weeks, with classes twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.' How often are the classes?

  1. Every day
  2. Once a week
  3. Twice a week Correct answer.
  4. Twice a month

Explanation

The speaker says 'classes twice a week' and names the two days, Tuesday and Thursday. 'Twice a week' means two sessions in each week of the course. The twelve weeks is the total length, not the frequency.

Question 42Listening

You hear: 'I've been learning to drive since January, and I hope to take my test in June.' What does the speaker say?

  1. They failed their test in June
  2. They passed their test in January
  3. They started driving lessons in January Correct answer.
  4. They have stopped taking lessons

Explanation

'I've been learning to drive since January' means the lessons began in January and continue. The test in June is a hope, not a result. Passing, failing or stopping lessons would use different verbs and are not stated.

Question 43Listening

You hear: 'There's a special offer this week: buy one coffee and get the second free.' What does the offer mean?

  1. The second coffee is a different drink
  2. Two coffees cost the price of one Correct answer.
  3. Coffee is free all week
  4. Every coffee is half price

Explanation

'Buy one and get the second free' means the customer pays for one item and receives another at no cost. The total price for two coffees therefore equals the price of one. Not every coffee is discounted, and the free item is not described as different.

Question 44Listening

You hear: 'I thought the film was boring, but my sister loved it.' What does the speaker think of the film?

  1. They found it dull Correct answer.
  2. They have not seen it
  3. They loved it as much as their sister
  4. They enjoyed it

Explanation

'Boring' is a negative judgement meaning dull or uninteresting, so the speaker did not enjoy the film. The contrast with the sister's opinion shows they disagree. Having seen it is clear from the comment, and shared enjoyment is the opposite of what is said.

Question 45Listening

You hear: 'The doctor can see you at a quarter past four, but please arrive ten minutes early.' When should the patient arrive?

  1. At five past four Correct answer.
  2. At four o'clock
  3. At half past four
  4. At a quarter past four

Explanation

The appointment is at a quarter past four, and the patient is asked to arrive ten minutes before that. Subtracting ten minutes from 4:15 gives 4:05. Arriving at the appointment time itself would be too late according to the instruction.

Question 46Listening

You hear: 'I'd have come to the party if you'd told me about it.' What does the speaker mean?

  1. They went to the party and enjoyed it
  2. They did not go because nobody told them Correct answer.
  3. They will come to the next party
  4. They told everyone about the party

Explanation

This is a third conditional: 'would have come' plus 'if you had told me' describes an imagined past that did not happen. Because the speaker was not told, they did not attend. The sentence looks back at a past event, not forward to a future one.

Question 47Listening

You hear: 'The shop said the delivery would arrive by Friday, but it didn't turn up until Monday.' When did the delivery actually arrive?

  1. On Monday Correct answer.
  2. It never arrived
  3. Before Friday
  4. On Friday

Explanation

'Didn't turn up until Monday' means the delivery came on Monday and not before. The promised date was Friday, but the promise was not kept. 'Not until' marks the point when something finally happens.

Question 48Listening

You hear: 'It's not that I don't like your cooking; it's just that I've already eaten.' What is the speaker doing?

  1. Saying they are hungry
  2. Refusing food politely Correct answer.
  3. Asking for a second helping
  4. Criticising the cooking

Explanation

The speaker uses 'not that... it's just that...' to soften a refusal and give a reason. They make clear the cooking is not the problem and that they have already eaten. The effect is a polite way of saying no to food.

Question 49Listening

You hear: 'The tickets are fifteen pounds each, or twenty-five for two.' How much do two tickets cost at the cheaper rate?

  1. Twenty-five pounds Correct answer.
  2. Thirty pounds
  3. Twenty pounds
  4. Fifteen pounds

Explanation

The speaker gives two prices: fifteen pounds for a single ticket and twenty-five pounds for a pair. The pair price is offered as an alternative to paying twice the single price. Thirty pounds would be the cost of two single tickets without the offer.

Question 50Listening

You hear: 'I wish I had checked the timetable before leaving home.' What does the speaker regret?

  1. Not checking the timetable first Correct answer.
  2. Leaving home too early
  3. Missing the last train
  4. Buying the wrong ticket

Explanation

'I wish I had checked' expresses regret about a past action that was not done. The speaker is sorry that they left home without looking at the timetable. The regret concerns the missing action of checking, not the time of leaving or a ticket purchase.