A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – History of Transport & Unusual Travel 5
Reading » A2 Reading Tests » A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – History of Transport & Unusual Travel
Test 1
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Riding a Unicycle
A unicycle is a special type of bike that has only one wheel. Many years ago, people usually only saw them in a (19)…………… , but today they are a popular hobby for teenagers. When you first try to use one, it is usually very (20)…………… .
Because there is no front wheel, you have to keep your (21)…………… all the time. It is important to sit up straight and look in front of you. When you start (22)…………… , you will probably spend a lot of time (23)…………… onto the ground!
However, you must not stop trying. It is a good idea to practice next to a wall or a tall fence. Then, you can (24)…………… it with your hand to stay safe. After a few weeks of hard work, you will learn how to ride a unicycle perfectly!
19 A circus B cinema C theatre
20 A slow B heavy C difficult
21 A balance B weight C shape
22 A riding B driving C sailing
23 A falling B dropping C throwing
24 A catch B hold C carry
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (circus): This relies on the broader context of the paragraph. Historically, unicycles were used by acrobats and clowns performing in a "circus". A "cinema" is for watching movies, and a "theatre" is for watching actors in a play, neither of which fit the context of riding a one-wheeled bike.
20 C (difficult): This tests semantic fit. "Difficult" is the correct adjective to describe learning a challenging new physical skill. "Slow" refers to speed, and "heavy" refers to physical weight, which do not make sense here.
21 A (balance): This tests collocation. "Keep your balance" is the standard phrase for staying upright without falling over. You do not say "keep your weight" or "keep your shape" in this physical balancing context.
22 A (riding): This tests collocation. "Riding" is the correct natural verb for travelling on a bicycle, unicycle, or horse. You would be "driving" a car, and "sailing" a boat.
23 A (falling): This tests semantic fit and phrase-level meaning. When a person loses their balance and goes down to the ground, they are "falling". "Dropping" is what happens when you let an object fall from your hands, and "throwing" is actively pushing an object through the air.
24 B (hold): This tests phrase-level meaning. To stay safe next to a wall, you grip it continuously, which means you "hold" it. You "catch" a moving object like a ball, and you "carry" something by picking it up and taking it with you.
Test 2
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Riding Elephants in the Past
A long time ago, people in some Asian countries used special animals to travel from one place to another. Horses were very popular, but many people rode on elephants because they were so (19)…………… and strong.
These animals could not run fast, so journeys were usually quite (20)…………… . However, they were perfect for travelling through the thick (21)…………… where there were no wide roads. Elephants were also very good at (22)…………… heavy things, like wood and food, on their large backs.
Getting onto an elephant was not an easy job. People had to be careful when (23)…………… up long wooden ladders to reach the top. Today, most people use modern transport like cars or trains, but you can still (24)…………… beautiful photos of these amazing animals in national parks.
19 A huge B deep C high
20 A slow B late C quiet
21 A jungle B garden C farm
22 A carrying B holding C keeping
23 A climbing B walking C running
24 A take B make C do
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (huge): 'Huge' is the correct semantic fit to describe a very big animal. 'Deep' is used for water or holes, and 'high' is used for mountains or buildings, not animals (we use 'tall' for animals and people).
20 A (slow): 'Slow' fits the broader context because the previous sentence explains they "could not run fast". A journey itself cannot be 'late' (only the arrival time is late), and 'quiet' refers to sound, not the speed of travel.
21 A (jungle): 'Jungle' fits the semantic context of a thick, wild place where wild animals live and there are no roads. A 'garden' is a small place next to a house, and a 'farm' is cleared land for growing food.
22 A (carrying): 'Carrying' fits the phrase-level context of moving heavy things from one place to another on an animal's back. You usually 'hold' things in your hands, and 'keeping' means storing something in a safe place.
23 A (climbing): 'Climbing' is the correct English collocation for moving up a ladder using your hands and feet ('climbing up'). You do not 'walk' or 'run' up a vertical wooden ladder.
24 A (take): 'Take photos' is the correct English collocation for capturing images with a camera. In English, we do not 'make' or 'do' photos.
Test 3
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Travelling in a Tuk-Tuk
Tuk-tuks are a very popular way to travel in many busy cities around the world. These small vehicles are different from normal cars because they only have three (19)…………… . Because they do not have doors, they are completely (20)…………… on both sides. This means passengers can enjoy the fresh air when they travel.
The engines are often quite loud, so a tuk-tuk journey is usually quite (21)…………… ! However, many tourists love them because they are a very (22)…………… way to get around the city. You can travel a long way without spending much money.
The person who is (23)…………… the tuk-tuk usually knows the best roads to use. They know how to avoid bad traffic, which helps you to (24)…………… time on your holiday.
19 A pieces B wheels C parts
20 A empty B clear C open
21 A heavy B noisy C angry
22 A poor B low C cheap
23 A driving B riding C running
24 A save B keep C hold
Answer Key & Explanations
19 B (wheels): This is the correct semantic fit. Tuk-tuks and bicycles move using round 'wheels'. The words 'pieces' and 'parts' are too general and do not specifically describe the three items a vehicle rolls on.
20 C (open): This fits the phrase-level context of having no doors. When a vehicle or room has no walls or doors closing it off, we describe it as 'open'. 'Empty' means there is nothing inside, and 'clear' means easy to see through (like a window).
21 B (noisy): The broader context in the same sentence mentions that the 'engines are often quite loud'. This logically means the journey will be full of sound, which is 'noisy'. 'Heavy' describes weight, and 'angry' describes a feeling.
22 C (cheap): This is the correct semantic fit for something that does not cost much money (supported by the following sentence). We say a 'cheap way' or 'cheap tickets'. We use 'low' for prices (a low price), and 'poor' describes a person with no money, not a vehicle.
23 A (driving): This fits the standard collocation for controlling a road vehicle like a car, bus, or tuk-tuk. You 'ride' a bicycle or a horse, and 'running' is an action done on your own legs.
24 A (save): 'Save time' is a very common fixed English collocation meaning to complete an action faster so you do not waste time. We do not use the verbs 'keep' or 'hold' with 'time' in this specific way.