A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Young Inventors, Scientists & Helpers 6
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 Young Math Genius
Max is a thirteen-year-old boy who has an amazing talent for mathematics. While most students his age are learning basic math, Max is already taking university classes. He loves everything about the subject, but his favourite thing is working with large (19)…………… . He can do difficult sums in his head very (20)…………… .
When Max is at school, he usually finishes his work before everyone else. If his classmates have a problem, Max is always happy to (21)…………… them. He is very good at explaining how to find the right answers. Sometimes, he even tells his teachers when they (22)…………… a mistake on the board.
Next year, Max wants to enter an international math competition. He spends two hours every evening (23)…………… new puzzles at home. He knows that he has to work hard to win first (24)…………… . In the future, Max hopes to become a famous scientist.
19 A numbers B pieces C groups
20 A quickly B soon C early
21 A help B show C join
22 A make B do C have
23 A solving B answering C explaining
24 A prize B gift C present
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (numbers): 'Numbers' is the correct semantic fit for a mathematics topic (working with large numbers). You do not work with 'pieces' or 'groups' when doing sums in your head.
20 A (quickly): 'Quickly' is the correct adverb to describe the fast speed of an action (doing sums). 'Soon' refers to something happening in the near future, and 'early' means before the usual time.
21 A (help): 'Help' fits the broader context of assisting classmates with their problems. 'Show' requires a second object here (e.g., show them the answer), and 'join' means to participate in an activity with someone, not to assist them.
22 A (make): 'Make a mistake' is a fixed verb-noun collocation in English. We do not use 'do' or 'have' with the word 'mistake'.
23 A (solving): 'Solving' correctly collocates with 'puzzles' to describe finding the answer to a problem. You 'answer' a question, and you 'explain' a rule, but you do not use these verbs for puzzles.
24 A (prize): 'Win a prize' is a correct and natural collocation for a competition. A 'gift' or 'present' is something given to you for a birthday or special occasion, not something you win in a contest.
Test 2
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Young Beekeeper
Sarah is a fifteen-year-old girl who has a very unusual hobby. She loves looking after bees in her garden. She started doing this when she was twelve. Now, she has three large wooden boxes where the little (19)…………… live and work.
Keeping bees is fun, but Sarah has to be careful. When she visits the boxes, she always wears special (20)…………… . This includes a large hat with a net over her face so she stays (21)…………… . She knows that bees can sting if they are angry. However, they are amazing creatures. Every summer, Sarah's bees (22)…………… a lot of sweet honey.
Sarah usually shares the honey with her friends and family. Sometimes, she (23)…………… it on her bread for breakfast. She thinks bees are the most interesting animals in the world. Next year, she hopes to get more boxes and (24)…………… her hobby into a small business.
19 A birds B pets C insects
20 A clothes B uniforms C suits
21 A fine B safe C well
22 A do B build C make
23 A puts B rests C drops
24 A grow B become C turn
Answer Key & Explanations
19 C (insects): "Insects" is the correct scientific category for animals like bees. "Birds" have feathers and wings, and "pets" are usually animals like dogs or cats that live inside a house with you.
20 A (clothes): "Clothes" is the correct general word for the items she wears for protection. "Uniforms" are worn by people at school or work, and "suits" are formal outfits for an office.
21 B (safe): "Stay safe" is the correct English collocation meaning to protect yourself from danger (like a bee sting). "Fine" and "well" are adjectives used to describe feeling healthy or good.
22 C (make): "Make" is the correct verb to use when talking about animals or people producing food (like honey). We do not say bees "do" honey or "build" honey.
23 A (puts): "Puts" is the correct verb meaning to place something (like honey) onto a surface (like bread). "Rests" means to relax, and "drops" means letting something fall by accident.
24 C (turn): "Turn into" is the correct phrasal verb meaning to change one thing into another (changing a hobby into a business). "Become" does not use the preposition "into", and "grow" means to get physically larger.
Test 3
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Young Bike Mechanic
Leo Rossi is a fifteen-year-old boy from Italy, and he loves repairing old bicycles. He started this useful hobby when he was just ten years old. He works in his father's garage, and he always uses the correct (19)…………… to do the job. Fixing bikes is hard work, and Leo often (20)…………… his hands very dirty.
Sometimes, he has to take the (21)…………… off the bike to check the rubber tyres. Leo is very good (22)…………… finding the problem quickly. He really enjoys taking a completely (23)…………… bicycle and making it work perfectly again.
When the bicycles are ready, Leo gives them to young children in his town, or he sells them to (24)…………… a little money for himself. Next year, he hopes to open his own small shop.
19 A tools B machines C engines
20 A makes B gets C does
21 A lights B seats C wheels
22 A at B in C on
23 A broken B sick C hurt
24 A win B take C make
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (tools): This is a semantic fit. When repairing something by hand, a mechanic uses 'tools' (like a hammer or spanner). 'Machines' and 'engines' are powered devices or parts of a vehicle, not the hand-held items used to fix a bicycle.
20 B (gets): This tests a standard A2 collocation. The correct fixed phrase in English to describe becoming unclean while working is to 'get dirty' (he gets his hands dirty). The verbs 'make' and 'do' do not form this common phrase.
21 C (wheels): This requires understanding the broader context of the text. The sentence mentions checking the "rubber tyres." Tyres are placed on the 'wheels' of a bike, making this the only logical choice. 'Lights' and 'seats' do not have tyres.
22 A (at): This tests phrase-level meaning. When talking about a person's skill or talent, the correct preposition to use after the adjective 'good' is 'at' (e.g., good at reading, good at finding). We do not say 'good in' or 'good on' for skills.
23 A (broken): This is a semantic fit. When a machine or object (like a bicycle) does not work, we describe it as 'broken'. The adjectives 'sick' and 'hurt' are only used to describe people or animals, not objects.
24 C (make): This tests a strong collocation. In English, the correct fixed expression for earning cash by working or selling things is to 'make money'. We do not 'take' money in this context, and you 'win' money in a game or competition.