B1 Preliminary Reading · Exam Instructions

1. Before You Start the Reading Paper 📝

Before we practise Part 2, let’s understand the official exam rules. Knowing the format helps you stay calm, manage your time and avoid silly mistakes.

⏱️ Time

You have 45 minutes for the complete Reading paper.

🔢 Total questions

The Reading paper has 32 questions in total.

✅ Marks

Questions 1–32 carry one mark each.

📌 Part 2

Part 2 has 5 questions: Questions 6–10.

Official candidate instructions

  • Do not open the question paper until you are told to do so.
  • Write your name, centre number and candidate number on your answer sheet.
  • Read the instructions for each part carefully.
  • Answer all the questions.
  • Read the instructions on the answer sheet.
  • Write your answers on the answer sheet. Use a pencil.
  • You must complete the answer sheet within the time limit.
  • At the end of the test, hand in both the question paper and your answer sheet.

Paper-based and digital-based exams: in the paper-based version, you mark your answers on an answer sheet using pencil. In the digital-based version, you select your answers on screen. The skill is the same: read carefully, compare information and choose the best match.

Teacher tip: Part 2 is a matching task. Do not read everything randomly. You need a method, or the information can feel overwhelming.

Lesson Introduction

2. Welcome! Today We Are Going to Master Reading Part 2 🌟

Hello, my lovely students! Today we are going to practise Part 2 of the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Reading paper. And please, do not worry. 😊

This part can look long because you have several people and several options. But with a good strategy, it becomes much easier. You do not need to understand every single word. You need to identify needs, preferences and matching details.

What are we going to do in this lesson?

🔍 Understand the task

We will learn what Cambridge asks you to do in Reading Part 2.

🧩 Match people to options

We will learn how to compare each person’s needs with the market descriptions.

🚫 Avoid common traps

We will see why some options look correct but are not the best match.

✅ Solve step by step

We will solve a real example from the official Cambridge sample paper.

In this lesson, I want you to feel confident. Reading Part 2 is not about panic-reading. It is about matching information like a detective. We look for clues, compare them carefully and choose the best option. 🕵️‍♀️

Reading Part 2 · Real Exam Task

3. What Do You Have to Do in Part 2? 🧩

In Reading Part 2, you read short descriptions of people and then match them with the best option from a longer list. In this exam, the topic is city markets.

Official instruction

Part 2

Questions 6–10

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to visit a city market. On the opposite page there are descriptions of eight markets. Decide which market would be the most suitable for the people below.

Example from the real exam — Question 6

Jenny wants to buy locally-produced food traditional to the area. She needs somewhere convenient to eat, and as she’s sightseeing in the city, the market shouldn’t be far from local attractions.

Your job is to compare Jenny’s needs with the eight market descriptions: A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H.

Important: you are not looking for a market that matches only one detail. You need the option that matches all or most of the important details.

Examiner Secrets

4. Problems and Common Mistakes in B1 Reading Part 2 🚫

Part 2 is tricky because many options may share similar words. The correct answer is not always the first option that looks familiar.

1. Matching only one keyword

If Jenny wants food, do not immediately choose the first market that mentions food. You must check all her needs.

2. Ignoring the complete profile

Each person has several requirements. For Jenny: local food, somewhere to eat, sightseeing and nearby attractions.

3. Choosing a “good” option, not the best option

Some markets may be nice, but not suitable for that specific person. Cambridge asks for the most suitable option.

4. Reading the options without a plan

If you read A to H without knowing what you need, you will probably get confused. First, underline the person’s needs.

Common Spanish-speaking student mistakes

ProblemExampleHow to fix it
Translating every wordStudents get stuck on unknown vocabulary.Focus on key ideas: food, price, location, time, weather, type of product.
Confusing “locally-produced” and “from other countries”These are opposite ideas.Mark local / international clearly in your mind.
Ignoring negative or limiting words“Shouldn’t be far” means distance matters.Pay attention to shouldn’t, wants to avoid, needs, must, doesn’t want.
Choosing by topic onlyA market has food, but it may not be near attractions.Check at least 3 matching details before choosing.

Teacher tip: Part 2 is a matching exercise, not a vocabulary race. The correct answer usually matches several clues, not just one word. 🧠

Reading Strategy

5. Tips for Success and Strategies 🌟

Here is the strategy I want you to use every time you solve Reading Part 2. It is simple, fast and very effective.

The 5-Step Reading Part 2 Strategy ⚡

  1. Read the person first. Do not start with the eight options.
  2. Underline the needs. Look for what the person wants, needs or wants to avoid.
  3. Create a quick checklist. Turn the profile into 3 or 4 key points.
  4. Scan the options. Look for synonyms and matching ideas, not identical words only.
  5. Eliminate partial matches. Choose the option that matches the most important details.

Jenny’s quick checklist

Jenny needs...MeaningPossible synonyms in the text
Locally-produced foodFood made in the arearegion’s famous cheese, producers, local food
Traditional to the areaTypical of that regionregion’s famous, traditional, local speciality
Somewhere convenient to eatEasy place to have foodbuy lunch, seats around the market, eat there
Near local attractionsGood for sightseeingclose to museums and art galleries

My advice: in Part 2, think like this: Person → Needs → Keywords → Synonyms → Best match. Do not jump straight to the answer.

Real Exam Solution

6. Solving Step by Step – Example from the Real Exam ✅

Now let’s solve Question 6 together. We are going to use Jenny’s description and compare it with the market descriptions.

Question 6: Jenny

Jenny wants to buy locally-produced food traditional to the area. She needs somewhere convenient to eat, and as she’s sightseeing in the city, the market shouldn’t be far from local attractions.

Step 1: Turn Jenny’s profile into a checklist

  • She wants local/traditional food.
  • She wants somewhere convenient to eat.
  • She is sightseeing.
  • The market should be near local attractions.

Step 2: Find the best matching market

F. Purford Market

Close to museums and art galleries, this is the place to buy something for lunch, as well as fresh fruit and special breads. Try the region’s famous cheese – the producers are there with advice on different types. Eat on the seats situated around the market, watching the colourful scene and enjoying music from local bands.

Step 3: Compare Jenny’s needs with Market F

Jenny’s needEvidence in Market FMatch?
Locally-produced / traditional food“the region’s famous cheese” and “the producers are there”Yes
Somewhere convenient to eat“buy something for lunch” and “eat on the seats situated around the market”Yes
Sightseeing in the city“close to museums and art galleries”Yes
Not far from local attractionsMuseums and art galleries are local attractions.Yes

Correct answer: F ✅

The correct answer is F, Purford Market, because it matches Jenny’s food needs, gives her somewhere to eat and is close to attractions for sightseeing.

Teacher tip: notice how Cambridge does not repeat exactly “locally-produced food traditional to the area”. Instead, it uses paraphrases like region’s famous cheese and producers. That is why synonyms are so important.

Grammar and Vocabulary

7. Essential Grammar and Vocabulary Knowledge 📚

Reading Part 2 often describes people’s needs, preferences and restrictions. To solve it well, you need to recognise this language quickly.

Key vocabulary for matching tasks

ExpressionMeaningExample
wants todesire or preferenceJenny wants to buy local food.
needsnecessary conditionShe needs somewhere convenient to eat.
would like topolite preferenceHe would like to photograph a historic place.
is looking forwants to findAlexia is looking for a special necklace.
keen onvery interested inMatt is keen on music.
wants to avoiddoes not wantShe wants to avoid the cold.
reasonable pricesnot too expensiveMatt wants clothes at reasonable prices.
rare recordingsmusic that is difficult to findHe likes finding rare recordings.

Useful grammar patterns

Grammar patternMeaningExample
want + to + verbdesired actionJenny wants to buy local food.
need + noun / to + verbnecessary thing or actionShe needs somewhere to eat.
would like + to + verbpolite preferenceSammie would like to photograph a historic place.
prefer + noun / -ingchoice or preferenceShe prefers staying inside.
shouldn’t be far fromdistance requirementThe market shouldn’t be far from attractions.
as + subject + verbgives a reason or situationAs she’s sightseeing, the market should be central.

Synonyms you must recognise

In the person’s profilePossible synonym in the optionMeaning
local attractionsmuseums and art galleriesPlaces tourists visit
locally-produced foodregion’s famous cheeseFood from the area
somewhere to eatbuy lunch / seats around the marketEating is possible and convenient
reasonable pricesgreat-valueNot expensive
second-hand bookold copy of something by a favourite authorA used book

Teacher tip: make synonym lists after every practice paper. Cambridge loves paraphrasing, so vocabulary flexibility is one of your biggest weapons. 💪

Conclusion

8. Final Advice: Never Leave an Answer Blank 🌈

My dear students, please remember this: never leave a Reading answer blank. Cambridge tells you to answer all the questions, so give yourself every possible chance.

How many marks is Part 2 worth?

The Reading paper has 32 questions, and Questions 1–32 carry one mark each.

Part 2 has 5 questions, Questions 6–10, so this part is worth 5 marks out of 32.

That means every match matters. Even if you are not completely sure, choose the best option. A blank answer has no chance, but a careful guess might be correct.

Final teacher tips 💛

  • Read the person’s profile before the options.
  • Underline needs, preferences and restrictions.
  • Create a quick checklist.
  • Look for synonyms, not only identical words.
  • Choose the option that matches the most important details.
  • Eliminate partial matches.
  • Answer every question. Do not leave blanks.

Remember this ❤️

You do not need to understand every word to succeed in Reading Part 2. You need to compare information carefully. With practice, you will become faster, calmer and much more accurate.

Source

This activity is based on the official Cambridge B1 Preliminary Sample Paper (2022) – Reading and Use of English: Part 2.

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B1 Preliminary Reading Part 2 - City Markets

Pregunta 1:

Question 6


The people below all want to visit a city market.
On the opposite page there are descriptions of eight markets.
Decide which market would be the most suitable for the people below.
Jenny wants to buy locally-produced food traditional to the area. She needs somewhere convenient to eat, and as she's sightseeing in the city, the market shouldn't be far from local attractions.

Which market is the best choice?
Pregunta 2:

Question 7


Matt wants a market where he can get something to wear at reasonable prices, and something hot to eat. He's also keen on music, and likes finding rare recordings by different bands.

Which market is the best choice?
Pregunta 3:

Question 8


Sammie wants to visit a market after spending the day in the city. He would like to photograph a historic place, and buy a painting by someone unknown.

Which market is the best choice?
Pregunta 4:

Question 9


Alexia is looking for a really special necklace for her grandmother's birthday. She'd like to spend the whole day at the market, and wants to avoid the cold by staying inside.

Which market is the best choice?
Pregunta 5:

Question 10


Ella is looking for objects from other countries for her friends. She'd like to choose a second-hand book to read on the journey home, and wants a snack at the market, too.

Which market is the best choice?
Inglés · Cambridge · B1
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Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam: Mastering RUE Part 2

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