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PEIC Level 1 (A2) study materials
PEIC Level 1 (A2) study resources

PEIC Level 1 (A2) practice questions

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Question 1Reading

Read this notice: "SHOP CLOSED - STAFF TRAINING. WE OPEN AGAIN AT 2 P.M." You arrive at the shop at 1 p.m. What should you do?

  1. Come back after two o'clock. Correct answer.
  2. Ask the staff to open the shop.
  3. Go inside and buy what you need.
  4. Wait inside the shop for an hour.

Explanation

The notice gives a reopening time: the shop opens again at 2 p.m. At 1 p.m. the shop is still closed, so the sensible action is to return later. Reading a notice means matching the time in the text to your own situation.

Question 2Reading

Read the message: "Hi Tom, My name is Ana. I'm from Brazil and I'm 19. I study English at a school in Rio and I want to visit London next year. Ana" How old is Ana?

  1. Nine
  2. Twenty-nine
  3. Nineteen Correct answer.
  4. Twenty

Explanation

The message says directly "I'm 19", and nineteen is the written form of 19. In reading tasks you should locate the exact information in the text instead of guessing from other details.

Question 3Reading

Read the text: "Ben gets up at six every morning. He gives water to the cows, feeds the chickens, and then drives his truck to the market. He sells fruit there until four o'clock." What is Ben's job?

  1. He is a shop assistant in a supermarket.
  2. He is a farmer who sells fruit. Correct answer.
  3. He is a teacher.
  4. He is a bus driver.

Explanation

The text mentions animals, a truck and selling fruit at a market, which together describe farm work. Putting several details together gives the general idea of a person's job.

Question 4Reading

Read this sign: "QUIET PLEASE - EXAMS IN ROOM 4" What does the sign tell you to do?

  1. Ask the teacher where room 4 is.
  2. Take your exam in room 4.
  3. Make as little noise as possible. Correct answer.
  4. Turn off the lights in room 4.

Explanation

The word "quiet" is an instruction about noise, and "please" makes it a polite request. Public signs like this one tell people how to behave in a place.

Question 5Reading

Read the text: "Maria has two children, a son and a daughter. Her son Paulo is married and has one baby. Her daughter Lena lives in Paris with her husband." How many grandchildren does Maria have?

  1. Two
  2. Three
  3. She has no grandchildren.
  4. One Correct answer.

Explanation

A grandchild is the child of your son or daughter. The text names only one baby, Paulo's child, so Maria has one grandchild.

Question 6Reading

Read this information: "THE FILM STARTS AT 7.30 AND LASTS TWO HOURS." What time does the film finish?

  1. 9.30 Correct answer.
  2. 8.30
  3. 7.30
  4. 10.30

Explanation

To find the end time, add the length of the film to the start time: 7.30 plus two hours is 9.30. The word "lasts" tells you how long something continues.

Question 7Reading

Read the menu: "TODAY'S MENU: Burger £5.00 · Pizza £6.50 · Salad £4.00 · Juice £4.50" Which item costs the least?

  1. Juice
  2. Salad Correct answer.
  3. Pizza
  4. Burger

Explanation

Compare the four prices: 4.00 is lower than 4.50, 5.00 and 6.50. The salad is therefore the cheapest item on the menu.

Question 8Reading

Read the weather report: "TOMORROW: Rain in the morning. Sunny and warm in the afternoon." What will you need in the morning?

  1. Sun cream
  2. An umbrella Correct answer.
  3. A sun hat
  4. Sunglasses

Explanation

The report gives rain for the morning, so you need something to keep you dry. Choosing the right object means matching an item to the weather words in the text.

Question 9Reading

Read the text: "Lucy's sister Emma works in a hospital. She looks after people who are ill." Who does "She" refer to?

  1. Emma Correct answer.
  2. A person who is ill
  3. The hospital
  4. Lucy

Explanation

The pronoun refers back to the person who fits the verb: looking after ill people is Emma's job. Lucy is mentioned only to show the family relationship.

Question 10Reading

Read the text: "David looked at his watch and started to run. The train was at platform 3 and the doors were already closing." What is happening?

  1. David has lost his watch.
  2. David is meeting a friend at the station.
  3. David works on the trains.
  4. David is late for his train. Correct answer.

Explanation

Running after checking the time, together with doors that are already closing, shows that time is short. The reader combines these clues to conclude that David is late.

Question 11Reading

Read the message: "From: Kelly Hi Sam, My birthday party is on Saturday at 7 p.m. at my flat. Can you bring some music? Don't bring food - we have lots. See you, Kelly" What does Kelly ask Sam to bring?

  1. Some food
  2. Some music Correct answer.
  3. Nothing at all
  4. A birthday present

Explanation

"Can you bring some music?" is a request, and the next sentence tells Sam not to bring food. Music is therefore the only thing Kelly asks for.

Question 12Reading

Read the sentence: "It was a boiling day, so we stayed inside with the air conditioning on." What does "boiling" mean here?

  1. Raining heavily
  2. Very windy
  3. Very hot Correct answer.
  4. Very cold

Explanation

"Boiling" describes extremely hot weather, which explains why the people stayed inside with air conditioning. The word comes from water boiling at a high temperature.

Question 13Reading

Read the instructions: "First, wash the rice. Then put it in a pot with water and cook for 15 minutes. Finally, add salt and serve." What do you do last?

  1. Put it in a pot with water
  2. Wash the rice
  3. Add salt and serve Correct answer.
  4. Cook it for 15 minutes

Explanation

The word "Finally" introduces the last action in a list, and that action is adding salt and serving. Sequencing words such as "first", "then" and "finally" show the order of steps.

Question 14Reading

Read the timetable: "BUSES TO THE CITY CENTRE: 8.15, 8.45, 9.15, 9.45. The journey takes 40 minutes." You take the 9.15 bus. What time do you arrive?

  1. 10.15
  2. 9.35
  3. 9.55 Correct answer.
  4. 9.45

Explanation

Add the journey time to the departure time: 9.15 plus 40 minutes is 9.55. Using a timetable means finding the right departure and then calculating the arrival.

Question 15Reading

Read the text: "Many people in cities now work from home two or three days a week. They say they save money on travel and have more time for their families. However, some managers think it is difficult to work as a team when people are not together." What is the text mainly about?

  1. Families who move from cities to villages
  2. Home working: the good and bad sides Correct answer.
  3. How to travel to work for less money
  4. Why managers prefer to work at home

Explanation

The first part gives benefits such as money and family time, and "However" introduces a problem with teamwork. A text that presents positive and negative points is about advantages and disadvantages.

Question 16Reading

Read the information about two hotels: "THE GRAND: £90 a night, next to the beach, no internet. THE PARK: £70 a night, city centre, free wifi, 3 km from the beach." You want free internet. Which hotel should you choose?

  1. The Park Correct answer.
  2. The Grand
  3. Both hotels
  4. Neither hotel

Explanation

The information for The Park says "free wifi", while The Grand says "no internet". Wifi is another way of saying internet access, so only The Park matches your need.

Question 17Reading

Read the sentence: "The museum is free on Sundays." Which sentence means the same?

  1. The museum is only open on Sundays.
  2. You don't pay on Sundays. Correct answer.
  3. The museum is closed on Sundays.
  4. Tickets cost less on Sundays.

Explanation

"Free" means that you do not pay anything. The original sentence is about the price on one day, Sunday, so the paraphrase must keep both the idea of no payment and the day.

Question 18Reading

Read the instructions on a machine: "To use the machine: press the green button, wait for the light, then put your card in." What do you do first?

  1. Take the card out
  2. Press the green button Correct answer.
  3. Put your card in
  4. Wait for the light

Explanation

The actions are listed in order, and the first action mentioned is pressing the green button. In instruction texts, the order of the verbs shows the order of the actions.

Question 19Reading

Read the text: "Anna is a nurse. She works nights, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., four days a week." When does Anna work?

  1. At night, four nights a week Correct answer.
  2. During the day, four days a week
  3. Only in the morning
  4. Every night of the week

Explanation

The text gives two pieces of information: the time (nights, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and the number of days (four a week). A correct answer must match both.

Question 20Reading

Read the advertisement: "ROOM FOR RENT: £350 a month. Near the station. For one person only. No pets." Who can rent the room?

  1. A woman with a cat
  2. Two friends who want to share
  3. A family with a dog
  4. One person with no pets Correct answer.

Explanation

The advert gives two conditions: "one person only" and "no pets". Only an answer that satisfies both conditions is possible.

Question 21Reading

Read the text: "Tom read the letter twice and put it down slowly. He had not expected to hear from the university so soon, and now he was not sure whether to smile or to cry." How does Tom feel?

  1. Angry with the university
  2. Bored by the letter
  3. Surprised and confused Correct answer.
  4. Sure about what to do

Explanation

"He had not expected" signals surprise, and "not sure whether to smile or to cry" shows mixed, unclear feelings. A reader combines these clues to work out the emotion.

Question 22Reading

Read the text: "Some parents give their children a phone when they are eight. I think that is too early. Children need to play outside and talk to people face to face." What does the writer think?

  1. Parents talk too much to their children.
  2. Children should get phones after eight. Correct answer.
  3. Children should spend less time outside.
  4. Every eight-year-old needs a phone.

Explanation

The writer says eight is "too early", which means a later age would be better. The next sentence explains why: children should be playing outside and talking to people.

Question 23Reading

Read the sentence: "Although the tickets were expensive, the concert was sold out in an hour." What do we know from this sentence?

  1. The concert was cancelled.
  2. The concert was free to enter.
  3. You can still buy tickets for the concert.
  4. Many people wanted to see the concert. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Sold out" means no tickets are left, and this happened in only one hour although prices were high. Fast sales at high prices show strong public interest.

Question 24Reading

Read the sentence: "Maria told her brother that his bike was outside, but he did not hear her because of the noise." Whose bike is outside?

  1. Her brother's Correct answer.
  2. Maria's
  3. Nobody's
  4. The neighbour's

Explanation

Possessive words point to the person they belong to: "his bike" refers to the last male person mentioned, Maria's brother. Maria's own bike would be "her bike".

Question 25Reading

Read the notice: "The library is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed on public holidays. Next Monday is a public holiday." When can you go to the library next week?

  1. Sunday morning only
  2. Tuesday to Friday, 9–6 Correct answer.
  3. Every day, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  4. Monday at 10 a.m.

Explanation

Two pieces of information must be combined: the normal opening days and the holiday closure. Because next Monday is a public holiday, the library is open only from Tuesday to Friday that week.

Question 26Reading

Read the notice: 'The swimming pool is closed for repairs from Monday 3 June to Friday 7 June. It opens again on Saturday 8 June.' When does the pool open again?

  1. Mon 3 June
  2. Sat 8 June Correct answer.
  3. Fri 7 June
  4. Sun 9 June

Explanation

The notice says the pool opens again on Saturday 8 June. The closure lasts from Monday 3 June to Friday 7 June.

Question 27Reading

Read the label: 'Shake well before opening. Keep in a cool place.' What should you do before opening the bottle?

  1. Open it slowly
  2. Warm it
  3. Freeze it
  4. Shake it Correct answer.

Explanation

The label gives a clear instruction: 'Shake well before opening.' It also says to keep the bottle in a cool place.

Question 28Reading

Read the email: 'Hi Ben, I can't meet you at 5 p.m. today. Can we meet at 6 p.m. instead? Jane.' What time does Jane want to meet?

  1. At 4 p.m.
  2. At 6 p.m. Correct answer.
  3. At 7 p.m.
  4. At 5 p.m.

Explanation

Jane says she cannot meet at 5 p.m. and asks to meet at 6 p.m. instead. The word 'instead' shows the new time.

Question 29Reading

Read the shop sign: 'Buy one T-shirt and get the second one half price.' What does the shop offer?

  1. Money off the second T-shirt Correct answer.
  2. A free T-shirt with every bag
  3. A discount on all bags
  4. Two T-shirts for the price of one

Explanation

'Half price' on the second T-shirt means the shop takes money off the second item. You still pay for the first T-shirt at full price.

Question 30Reading

Read the directions: 'Go straight and turn left at the bank. The post office is next to the bank.' Where is the post office?

  1. Behind the station
  2. Next to the bank Correct answer.
  3. Inside the bank
  4. Opposite the school

Explanation

The text says directly that the post office is next to the bank. The bank is also the place where you turn left.

Question 31Reading

Read the weather report: 'Cloudy in the morning, with rain in the afternoon.' What will the weather be like in the afternoon?

  1. Snowy
  2. Rainy Correct answer.
  3. Sunny
  4. Windy

Explanation

The report says there will be rain in the afternoon. The morning will be cloudy.

Question 32Reading

Read the menu: 'Soup £3.50; Sandwich £4.00; Cake £2.50; Coffee £2.00.' Which item is the cheapest?

  1. Soup
  2. Coffee Correct answer.
  3. Cake
  4. Sandwich

Explanation

Coffee costs £2.00, which is less than cake at £2.50, soup at £3.50 and sandwich at £4.00.

Question 33Reading

Read the class notice: 'The science test is on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in Room 12.' Where is the science test?

  1. In the library
  2. In Room 2
  3. In Room 12 Correct answer.
  4. In Room 9

Explanation

The notice gives the place as Room 12. The time is Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Question 34Reading

Read the text: 'The lights were off and the door was locked. A note on the door said, "Back at 3 p.m."' What does the note mean?

  1. It will open at 3 p.m. Correct answer.
  2. It is closed for a holiday.
  3. It is closed all day.
  4. It opens at 3 a.m.

Explanation

A note saying 'Back at 3 p.m.' tells people that the place will return or open again at that time. The locked door explains why the note is there.

Question 35Reading

Read the text: 'The museum has a special price for students: £5 instead of £8.' What does this mean?

  1. The museum is free for students.
  2. Students pay £5. Correct answer.
  3. Everyone pays £5.
  4. Students pay £8.

Explanation

'Instead of £8' shows that the normal price is £8, but the special student price is £5. Only students get this price.

Question 36Reading

Read the text: 'James took the book from the shelf and put it in his bag.' What does 'it' refer to?

  1. The book Correct answer.
  2. The shop
  3. The bag
  4. The shelf

Explanation

The pronoun 'it' refers to the object James put in his bag. That object is the book.

Question 37Reading

Read the instructions: 'To make tea: boil water. Put a tea bag in a cup. Pour the hot water into the cup. Wait three minutes.' What do you do after putting the tea bag in the cup?

  1. Pour in the hot water Correct answer.
  2. Drink the tea
  3. Boil the water
  4. Wait for three minutes

Explanation

The instructions list the steps in order: boil water, put in the tea bag, pour the hot water into the cup, then wait. Pouring the water comes directly after putting the tea bag in the cup.

Question 38Reading

Read the timetable: 'Train times to Oxford: 10.15, 10.45, 11.15. The journey takes 50 minutes.' You take the 10.45 train. When do you arrive?

  1. At 11.35 Correct answer.
  2. At 11.05
  3. At 12.05
  4. At 11.45

Explanation

The 10.45 train plus a 50-minute journey arrives at 11.35. You add 50 minutes to the departure time.

Question 39Reading

Read the advertisement: 'Small flat for rent. One bedroom. No children. Near bus stop.' Who can rent the flat?

  1. A family with a baby
  2. A couple with three children
  3. A person with no children Correct answer.
  4. A family with two children

Explanation

The advertisement says 'No children', so people with children cannot rent the flat. A person with no children meets that condition.

Question 40Reading

Read the text: 'The road was very wet and the cars were moving slowly. It had been raining all morning.' Why were the cars moving slowly?

  1. Because it was snowing
  2. Because the road was wet Correct answer.
  3. Because the road was new
  4. Because there were no cars

Explanation

The text connects the wet road and the rain with the slow traffic. Drivers usually go more slowly when the road is wet.

Question 41Reading

Read the text message: 'Hi Mum, I'm at the library. I'll be home by 7. Don't wait for dinner. Alex.' What does Alex tell his mother?

  1. He wants her to wait for dinner.
  2. He will not eat dinner at home. Correct answer.
  3. He will be home for dinner at 7.
  4. He is at home now.

Explanation

'Don't wait for dinner' means his mother should not keep dinner for him because he will not be home to eat it. He will be home later, by 7.

Question 42Reading

Read the library notice: 'Please return books on time. You must pay 20p for each day a book is late.' What happens if you return a book two days late?

  1. You pay 20p.
  2. You cannot borrow books again.
  3. You pay nothing.
  4. You pay 40p. Correct answer.

Explanation

The fine is 20p for each late day. For two days late, you multiply 20p by 2, which is 40p.

Question 43Reading

Read the text: 'Emma looked at the sky and took her umbrella. She knew the weather in this city could change quickly.' Why did Emma take her umbrella?

  1. Because it was already raining
  2. Because someone told her to
  3. She expected rain later Correct answer.
  4. Because she liked the colour

Explanation

Emma looked at the sky and knew the weather could change quickly. This suggests she thought it might rain later, so she took the umbrella.

Question 44Reading

Read the information: 'Hotel A: £60 a night, breakfast included. Hotel B: £50 a night, breakfast £10 extra.' Which hotel is cheaper if you want breakfast?

  1. Hotel B
  2. Hotel A
  3. They cost the same Correct answer.
  4. Hotel B is always cheaper

Explanation

Hotel A costs £60 including breakfast. Hotel B costs £50 plus £10 for breakfast, which is also £60, so the total is the same.

Question 45Reading

Read the text: 'Paul works in a shop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. He has one hour for lunch.' How many hours does Paul work each day?

  1. Eight hours
  2. Nine hours
  3. Seven hours
  4. Six hours Correct answer.

Explanation

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. is eight hours in total. Paul has one hour for lunch, so his working time is seven hours.

Question 46Reading

Read the text: 'When the teacher asked for volunteers, Maya looked at the floor and said nothing. Usually she was the first to raise her hand.' What do we understand about Maya?

  1. She did not hear the teacher.
  2. She did not understand the question.
  3. She was angry with the teacher.
  4. She did not want to volunteer. Correct answer.

Explanation

Maya looked at the floor and stayed silent, which contrasts with her usual eagerness to raise her hand. This suggests she was unwilling to volunteer this time.

Question 47Reading

Read the text: 'Some people think city parks are just empty spaces. But parks give people a place to exercise, meet friends, and relax. They also help keep the air clean.' What is the main idea?

  1. People should not exercise in parks.
  2. City parks are empty spaces.
  3. Parks make the air dirty.
  4. Parks are useful in many ways. Correct answer.

Explanation

The text lists several benefits of parks: exercise, meeting friends, relaxation and cleaner air. The main idea is that parks are useful in many ways.

Question 48Reading

Read the text: 'I was not sure about the new café at first. The service was slow. But the food was excellent and the staff were friendly, so I will go back.' How does the writer feel about the café now?

  1. Generally positive Correct answer.
  2. Not interested in returning
  3. Angry about the food
  4. Completely negative

Explanation

The writer mentions one problem, slow service, but praises the food and staff and says they will go back. This shows a generally positive feeling now.

Question 49Reading

Read the text: 'Ben checked his phone for the fifth time. The message from the job interview still had not arrived.' How does Ben probably feel?

  1. Relaxed
  2. Worried Correct answer.
  3. Excited
  4. Bored

Explanation

Ben checks his phone repeatedly because he is waiting for an important message. This repeated checking suggests he feels worried.

Question 50Reading

Read the text: 'The shop said the shoes would arrive on Monday, but they did not come until Thursday.' What happened?

  1. The shoes never arrived.
  2. The shoes arrived on Monday morning.
  3. The shoes arrived early.
  4. They arrived three days late. Correct answer.

Explanation

Monday to Thursday is three days. The shoes were promised for Monday but came on Thursday, so they arrived three days later than promised.