A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Young Athletes & Sports Stars 9
Reading » A2 Reading Tests » A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Young Athletes & Sports Stars
Test 1
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Young Skier
Max Weber is a fourteen-year-old boy from Switzerland, and he is a very talented young skier. He lives in a small village near the mountains, so there is always a lot of (19)…………… in the winter.
Max started the sport when he was just three years old. Skiing is a fast sport, and you have to be careful. Max always (20)…………… sure that he has the right equipment before he leaves home. It is very cold high up, so he wears thick winter (21)…………… to stay warm. When he is skiing, Max loves the feeling of moving quickly over the white ground. He is very good (22)…………… controlling his speed, even when the weather is bad.
Last month, Max won first prize in a regional ski (23)…………… . He wants to keep improving his skills. One day, his biggest dream is to (24)…………… part in the Winter Olympics.
19 A ice B rain C snow
20 A does B gets C makes
21 A clothes B uniforms C costumes
22 A in B on C at
23 A game B match C competition
24 A make B have C take
Answer Key & Explanations
19 C (snow): This is a semantic fit. While ice and rain can happen in the winter, 'snow' is the specific weather condition required for skiing on mountains.
20 C (makes): This tests a standard A2 collocation. The correct fixed phrase is 'make sure', which means to check that something is done or safe. The verbs 'do' and 'get' do not form this phrase.
21 A (clothes): This requires understanding the broader context of the text. Skiers need thick winter 'clothes' (like jackets and trousers) to stay warm. 'Uniforms' are for school or work, and 'costumes' are worn by actors or for parties.
22 C (at): This tests phrase-level meaning. When talking about a person's skill or ability, the correct preposition to use after the adjective 'good' is 'at' (e.g., good at reading, good at controlling). We do not say 'good in' or 'good on' for skills.
23 C (competition): This is a semantic fit. An event where athletes race to get a prize in sports like skiing or swimming is a 'competition'. A 'match' is used for sports like tennis or football, and a 'game' is for team sports or fun activities.
24 C (take): This tests a strong collocation. The fixed English expression is 'take part in', which means to participate in an event. We do not use 'make' or 'have' to form this phrase.
Test 2
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Teen Horse Rider
Lily is a thirteen-year-old girl who loves spending her free time with animals. She lives near a large farm where her family has two horses. Every weekend, Lily helps to look (19)…………… the animals. She cleans their home and gives them fresh water.
When she finishes the work, Lily likes to go (20)…………… on her favourite horse, Star. Star is a young horse, and he is very fast. Now, Lily wants to (21)…………… over tall wooden fences with him. She always remembers to (22)…………… a special hard hat. This helps to (23)…………… her head safe if she falls.
Next month, Lily is going to enter a local competition. She hopes to win a prize, (24)…………… she knows that just having fun is the most important thing.
19 A after B for C at
20 A driving B riding C sailing
21 A climb B cross C jump
22 A wear B dress C carry
23 A hold B make C keep
24 A but B so C because
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (after): The phrasal verb 'look after' means to take care of someone or something. 'Look for' means to try to find something, and 'look at' means to see something.
20 B (riding): The correct collocation for travelling on a horse is to 'go riding'. You 'go driving' in a car and 'go sailing' in a boat.
21 C (jump): When a horse goes up into the air to get over a fence, it is 'jumping'. You 'climb' a tree or mountain, and you 'cross' a road or river.
22 A (wear): You 'wear' items of clothing or hats on your body. You 'carry' an object in your hands, and 'dress' is usually used without an object (e.g., get dressed) or means to put clothes on another person.
23 C (keep): The correct collocation is to 'keep' something safe. We do not say 'make safe' or 'hold safe' in this context.
24 A (but): This conjunction is needed to show a contrast between her hope to win the competition and her belief that having fun is more important.
Test 3
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Young Fencer
Fencing is an old and exciting sport that you can do indoors. Leo is thirteen years old and he goes to fencing classes twice a week. In this sport, two people use long, thin swords to try and touch each other. You have to be very (19)…………… on your feet to move away from the other person's sword.
It is very important to stay safe when you fence. Everyone must (20)…………… a special mask over their face and head. Fencers also have thick white clothes. Leo always checks his things to (21)…………… sure everything is ready before he begins a match.
Leo loves fencing because it makes him think fast. Next month, he is going to (22)…………… part in a national competition. He has a great teacher, (23)…………… he is getting much better every day. Leo believes fencing is the most exciting (24)…………… in the world.
19 A quick B short C early
20 A put B wear C dress
21 A do B get C make
22 A take B play C have
23 A but B because C so
24 A match B sport C team
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (quick): This word correctly fits the semantic meaning of moving with speed on your feet. "Short" describes height or length, and "early" describes time, so neither fits this context.
20 B (wear): This is the correct verb for having clothing or safety equipment on your body. "Put" needs the preposition "on" (put on), and "dress" means to put clothes on a person, not a mask.
21 C (make): "Make sure" is a common set collocation that means to check that something is safe or ready. You cannot say "do sure" or "get sure" in English.
22 A (take): "Take part" is a fixed collocation meaning to join in or participate in an event or competition. "Play part" and "have part" are incorrect in this phrase.
23 C (so): This conjunction is needed for the broader context to show a result. Because Leo has a great teacher, the result is that he is getting better. "Because" shows a reason, and "but" shows a contrast.
24 B (sport): Fencing is a type of physical activity or "sport". A "match" is a single game played between two people, and a "team" is a group of players, so these do not fit the meaning of the sentence.