A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Young Inventors, Scientists & Helpers 1
Reading » A2 Reading Tests » A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Young Inventors, Scientists & Helpers
Test 1
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Teen App Developer
Tom Harris is a fifteen-year-old boy from New Zealand, and he already makes his own computer programmes. He started learning about technology when he was just nine years old. He always loved sitting at his desk and (19)…………… videos online to learn how to code.
Now, Tom creates different kinds of software for mobile (20)…………… . His most famous app is for school students. He (21)…………… the idea for this app when his younger sister had a problem with her maths lessons. The app helps teenagers (22)…………… their homework after school.
Tom always tests his work carefully because he wants to make things easy for people to use. Last month, he put his newest app (23)…………… the internet, and thousands of people downloaded it. In the future, he hopes his work can (24)…………… even more young people around the world.
19 A watching B looking C seeing
20 A numbers B screens C phones
21 A took B got C made
22 A do B make C write
23 A in B at C on
24 A care B help C save
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (watching): This is a semantic fit. We use the verb 'watch' when paying attention to moving pictures like 'videos' or TV. 'Looking' requires the preposition 'at' (looking at videos), and 'seeing' usually describes noticing something without trying.
20 C (phones): This is a semantic fit. The correct everyday object that uses apps is a 'mobile phone'. We do not say 'mobile screens' or 'mobile numbers' when talking about downloading and using software.
21 B (got): This tests a strong collocation. The correct fixed phrase in English for thinking of a new plan or thought is to 'get an idea' (past tense: got). We do not use the verbs 'took' or 'made' for ideas.
22 A (do): This tests a standard A2 collocation. The correct fixed phrase for completing school tasks is to 'do homework'. We never say 'make homework' or 'write homework' in English.
23 C (on): This tests phrase-level meaning. When we talk about putting information, websites, or apps onto a digital network, the correct preposition is always 'on' (e.g., on the internet, on a website). We do not use 'in' or 'at'.
24 B (help): This requires understanding the broader context of the text. Tom built his app because his sister had a problem with maths, meaning his goal is to 'help' people. 'Care' needs the preposition 'for' or 'about', and 'save' is used for dangerous situations, not homework.
Test 2
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Young Robotics Engineer
Leo is a fourteen-year-old boy from Tokyo, and he loves designing and building his own robots. He spends his free time making small machines in his bedroom. First, he draws a picture of the robot, and then he uses pieces of strong (19)…………… to build the body. He needs to use special tools to put the pieces together.
Inside every robot, there are lots of thin, colourful (20)…………… which carry electricity from the battery. When the battery is turned on, the power helps the robot to (21)…………… around the room. Leo has to be very careful because if he connects the wrong parts, his machine will not work.
Last week, Leo took (22)…………… in a robotics competition at his school. He won first prize for a robot that can pick up small objects. He always wants to (23)…………… sure everything is perfect before he shows his work to people. In the future, Leo hopes to (24)…………… a famous engineer and build robots that help doctors in hospitals.
19 A wood B metal C glass
20 A strings B ropes C wires
21 A move B travel C drive
22 A place B part C care
23 A do B keep C make
24 A become B grow C turn
Answer Key & Explanations
19 B (metal): Robots and machines are usually built from 'metal' because it is strong. While 'wood' and 'glass' are also materials, they are not typically used to build the main bodies of electronic robots.
20 C (wires): The thin lines that carry electricity inside machines are called 'wires'. 'Strings' and 'ropes' are used for tying things together, not for electricity.
21 A (move): The general word for physical motion from one place to another in a room is to 'move'. 'Travel' implies going on a long journey, and 'drive' means operating a vehicle like a car.
22 B (part): The correct phrase for participating in a competition is 'take part in'. 'Take place' means to happen, and 'take care' means to look after something.
23 C (make): The correct collocation is 'make sure', which means to check or ensure something is right. In English, we do not 'do sure' or 'keep sure'.
24 A (become): We use 'become' to talk about changing into a new profession or role in the future. 'Grow' is for physical size, and 'turn' is usually used with numbers or ages (e.g., turn fifteen).
Test 3
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Young Tree Planter
Leo is a fifteen-year-old boy from Canada. He lives in a big city, but he really loves nature.
When Leo was twelve, he decided to start a green (19)…………… with his friends. They wanted to plant more trees because they give us clean air. The friends asked people in their town for money to (20)…………… small trees from a local farm.
Every Saturday, the teenagers go to different parks to put the new trees in the (21)…………… . It is hard work, and they usually get very dirty. However, they are happy because they want to (22)…………… care of the earth.
Now, there are over five hundred new trees in Leo's city. He believes that anyone can help the planet, (23)…………… you do not need to be an adult to do something good. When he is older, he hopes to (24)…………… his life protecting the forests.
19 A project B lesson C subject
20 A buy B pay C spend
21 A ground B floor C bottom
22 A take B make C have
23 A because B but C so
24 A spend B pass C stay
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (project): A "project" is a planned piece of work that a group of people do together, which fits the meaning here. A "lesson" and a "subject" (like maths or science) are things you study in school, so they do not fit the context.
20 A (buy): This is the correct verb for giving money in exchange for an object (small trees). You "pay" a person or pay for something, and you "spend" money, but you do not "spend" or "pay" trees directly.
21 A (ground): The "ground" is the surface of the earth outdoors where plants grow. A "floor" is the surface you walk on indoors, and a "bottom" is the lowest part of an object, so neither fits the phrase-level meaning of planting outdoors.
22 A (take): "Take care of" is a fixed English collocation that means to look after something and keep it safe. You cannot say "make care of" or "have care of".
23 A (because): This conjunction is needed for the broader context to show a reason. Leo believes anyone can help the planet, and the reason is because you do not need to be an adult to do it. "But" shows a contrast, and "so" shows a result.
24 A (spend): "Spend" is the correct verb in the collocation "spend time" or "spend your life" doing a specific activity. You cannot "stay" your life, and while you can "pass the time", we do not say "pass his life" in this way.