剑桥大学英语五级水平考试(MSE)系列考核从初级到高级的普通英语技能。PET是该系列的第二级，其水平相当于欧洲委员会制定的欧洲语言教学大纲的B1级水平，为中低级英语水平考试。

　　What is PET?

　　The Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET) is the second level of the Cambridge exams in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). It is an intermediate level exam, set at Level B1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for modern languages. PET recognises the ability to cope with everyday written and spoken communications.

　　PET的报考对象

　　初级英语考试是为具备中等偏下水平的英语学习者设计的考试。达到PET水平的学生应具备自如应付在英语国家的社会和工作环境中遇到的可预知的情况，如能阅读简易读物和文章、写简单的私人信件以及在会议中作记录行等。PET每年世界有来自80多个国家的80,000多人次参加该考试。

　　Who is PET for?

　　PET is designed for people whose English is adequate for many practical purposes, including work, study and social situations. It indicates an ability to cope with situations which require a predictable use of language, read simple textbooks and articles and write simple personal letters, or make notes during a meeting.

　　Candidates should have a wide grasp of vocabulary and be able to use appropriate communication styles for a variety of situations. They should be starting to do more than simply pick out facts and should be able to detect opinions, attitudes and moods in spoken and written English.

　　PET is taken by more than 80,000 people each year in more than 80 countries, and is a valuable qualification for anyone who wants to work or study abroad or to develop a career in international business. It is also useful preparation for higher level examinations.

　　为什么要考PET？

　　国际认可、终生有效的英语能力证书；

　　高质量的国际英语考试；

　　系统提高英语听、说、读、写四会能力的最佳方式；

　　是进入更高水平考试的最佳途径；

　　是公司招聘及高校录取的资格要求；

　　提供实际的语言能力证明(如在旅游行业里的文书性、文秘性、行政性工作的能力)。

　　Why choose PET?

　　PET covers the four main language skills - reading, writing, listening and speaking, as well as assessing grammar and vocabulary, testing with material from real life situations. It therefore provides evidence of practical skills, and indicates sufficient ability to be of practical use in clerical, secretarial and managerial jobs, and in many industries, such as tourism,swherescontact with English speakers is required.

　　Studying for PET is a popular way to improve your language skills and use them in a wide range of contexts. PET is recognised by many employers and educational institutions as proof of intermediate level English skills.

　　考试内容

　　PET由三部分试卷组成:阅读与写作、听力、口试。阅读与写作占考试总分的50%。听力、口试各占总分的25%。

　　阅读与写作(试卷1) 时间: 1小时30分钟

　　阅读-要求考生理解公共场合的通知、符号或标记。能读懂事实性短篇文章，并提取信息。能说明语言结构、作者意图及文章可能对读者产生的影响。

　　写作-要求考生完成句型转换、填充表格、提供信息、报告事件、描述情境、表达观点等任务。

　　听力(试卷2) 时间: 30分钟

　　要求考生能听懂公共通告并做出回应、理解对话、提取事实性信息、了解说话者态度。

　　口试(试卷3) 时间：10-12分钟

　　考核考生在交流过程中参与、理解问题与任务以及恰当回复的能力。考生两人一组应试。

　　What does the exam involve?

　　PET has three papers

　　Reading and Writing/Listening/Speaking

　　Each paper is returned to Cambridge for marking and assessment, except the Speaking Test, which is conducted by two locally based examiners who examine candidates face to face. All examiners are accredited by Cambridge ESOL.

　　Reading and Writing (Paper 1) 1 hour 30 minutes

　　The Reading and Writing paper assesses the ability to read and understand factual texts taken from signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. Candidates need to be able to understand the main messages and the effect they may have on a reader, and to have strategies for dealing with unfamiliar words and structures.

　　The paper includes a variety of tasks including filling in gaps in simple texts, completing forms, and writing a short report or letter of around 100 words to demonstrate control of structure, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation.

　　Listening (Paper 2) 30 minutes

　　The Listening paper assesses the ability to understand recorded material such as public announcements and dialogues, which will be delivered at a moderate pace. Candidates need to be able to understand the factual information in the recordings, and to assess the attitudes and intentions of the speakers.

　　Speaking (Paper 3) 10-12 minutes

　　The Speaking Test assesses the ability to interact in conversational English with an examiner and with another candidate. Candidates need to be able to answer and ask questions about themselves and to talk freely about their likes and dislikes.