PET · Grammar at B1 Level · Lagos, Nigeria
Grammar at B1 Level for the PET Exam — Lagos candidates
12% of the PET test plan. B1 grammar: past perfect, conditionals (1st and 2nd), relative clauses, passive voice, and reported speech. Calibrated for Lagosian candidates.
Behind every published pass rate is a distribution of which topics caused most of the failures. This is one of those topics. Grammar at B1 Level sits at roughly 12% of the Cambridge Preliminary English Test (B1) content distribution — B1 grammar goes significantly beyond A2. Candidates need first and second conditional sentences, relative clauses (who/which/that/where), passive constructions, and reported speech. These structures are tested in the Writing task and the open cloze section of Reading. Pass rates for the PET are published annually by the awarding body and vary by cohort and locale. For Lagos candidates preparing for PET, the calibration of study to local context matters: Lagos is West Africa's densest exam centre — JAMB UTME, WAEC, IELTS, and TOEFL all operate large weekly sessions. Pearson VUE Lagos serves NCLEX, GRE, and GMAT candidates region-wide.
Common failure modes
These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.
- !Confusing first conditional (if + present → will) with second conditional (if + past → would)
- !Omitting the relative pronoun or using the wrong one (who for people, which for things)
- !Incorrect tense shift in reported speech (say/tell + that + past form)
Study tips
- 1Drill conditional sentences daily: 5 first conditional (real/possible) and 5 second conditional (hypothetical).
- 2Practice relative clauses by combining two sentences: "I met a teacher. She speaks five languages." → "I met a teacher who speaks five languages."
- 3For reported speech, memorize the tense backshift: present → past, past → past perfect, will → would.
- 4JAMB UTME is delivered as CBT only — book your nearest CBT centre (Yaba, Surulere, Ikeja) early; centres outside Lagos State require interstate travel.
- 5IELTS speaking and listening sessions in Victoria Island fill 6 weeks ahead during peak migration season (May–August). Book a Lekki or Ikeja slot if VI is full.
- 6For NCLEX/GRE/GMAT: the Pearson VUE Ikeja centre is the most reliable NG site; bring a backup ID and arrive 90 minutes early — Lagos traffic is the most common cause of missed slots.
Sample PET Grammar at B1 Level questions
These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real PET questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.
- 1
If I _____ more time, I would learn Spanish.
- Ahave
- BhadCorrect
- Cwill have
- Dwould have
Why this answer?
"If I had more time, I would learn Spanish" is a second conditional sentence expressing a hypothetical/unreal situation. The if-clause uses the past simple (had), and the main clause uses would + infinitive.
- 2
The book _____ by a local author last year.
- Awas writtenCorrect
- Bwrote
- Chas written
- Dis writing
Why this answer?
"Was written" is the past simple passive, appropriate for a completed action in the past where the focus is on the book, not the author. "Last year" confirms past simple is needed.
Frequently asked questions
How is grammar assessed in B1 Preliminary?
What is the PET pass rate for Lagosian candidates?
How long should Lagosian candidates study Grammar at B1 Level for the PET?
Practice Cambridge PET (B1) free with Koydo.
Cambridge B1 Preliminary — every paper, every task type.
Related study guides
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