A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 5 Test – Classroom Excuses: Apologies & Polite Declines 2
Reading » A2 Reading Tests » A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 5 Test – Classroom Excuses: Apologies & Polite Declines
Test 1
Questions 25-30
For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.
From: Sam
To: Alex
Hi Alex,
I am writing to say sorry. I have some bad news about (25) ……………… expensive pen that you let me borrow yesterday. I put it (26) ……………… my pencil case after our math lesson, but now I cannot find it anywhere. I think I dropped it when I (27) ……………… walking home. I know it was a present (28) ……………… your parents. I am so sorry! I want (29) ……………… buy you a new one this weekend. We can go to the shop together if you want. Please tell (30) ……………… which day is best for you.
Sam
Answer Key & Explanations
25 the
– Why it's right: We use the definite article 'the' when we talk about a specific thing that both people already know about.
– Why not 'an': We use 'an' for any general item, but Sam is talking about one specific pen that Alex lent him.
26 in
– Why it's right: We use the preposition 'in' to show that something is placed inside a container or closed space.
– Why not 'on': We use 'on' for flat surfaces (like on a desk), but a pencil case is something you put items inside.
27 was
– Why it's right: We need the past tense verb 'was' to match the subject 'I' and make the past continuous tense (was walking).
– Why not 'am': 'Am' is used for the present tense, but Sam lost the pen in the past on his way home.
28 from
– Why it's right: We use the preposition 'from' to show who gave something to someone else.
– Why not 'of': We do not use 'of' to talk about the person who gives a present.
29 to
– Why it's right: After the verb 'want', we must always use 'to' plus the base form of the next action verb (to buy).
– Why not 'for': We never use 'for' directly before an action verb to explain what we want to do.
30 me
– Why it's right: Sam wants Alex to reply directly to him, so we need the object pronoun 'me' to receive the action of the verb 'tell'.
– Why not 'I': 'I' is a subject pronoun (like 'I tell'), but here the word is receiving the action, so it must be 'me'.
Test 2
Questions 25-30
For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.
From: Eva
To: Leo
Hi Leo,
Thanks for your message. I (25) ……………… really sorry, but I cannot let you copy my homework. Our teacher told us to work by ourselves. I do not want to give you my answers (26) ……………… it is against the rules.
However, I can help (27) ……………… understand the difficult questions if you want. We can meet in the library (28) ……………… 4 o'clock. I have a (29) ……………… of free time then. Please let (30) ……………… know if this is a good idea.
See you tomorrow,
Eva
Answer Key & Explanations
25 am / 'm
– Why it's right: We always use the "to be" verb "am" with the pronoun "I" to talk about our feelings or situations.
– Why not 'is': We only use "is" with he, she, or it, never with the pronoun "I".
26 because
– Why it's right: We use "because" to give a reason for an action. Eva will not share her answers for the reason that it is against the rules.
– Why not 'so': We use "so" to show the result of something, not the reason why it happens.
27 you
– Why it's right: We need an object pronoun here to say exactly who Eva is offering to help. Since she is writing to Leo, she uses "you".
– Why not 'your': "Your" is a possessive word used before a noun (like "your book"), but here we need a pronoun for a person.
28 at
– Why it's right: When we talk about an exact time on the clock (like 4 o'clock), we always use the time preposition "at".
– Why not 'in': We use "in" for months, years, or general parts of the day (like "in the morning"), but never for exact clock times.
29 lot
– Why it's right: The phrase "a lot of" is very common in English and is used to talk about a large amount of something (like free time).
– Why not 'many': You can say "many things", but you can never say "a many of", because the correct fixed phrase is always "a lot of".
30 me
– Why it's right: "Let me know" is a very common everyday expression that simply means "tell me" or "give me an answer".
– Why not 'I': We must use the object word "me" after an action word like "let", instead of the subject word "I".
Test 3
Questions 25-30
For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.
From: Chris
To: Sam
Hi Sam,
I am writing (25) ……………… say sorry because I cannot come to our drama club meeting this afternoon. I have to go to the dentist (26) ……………… my mum after school. My tooth hurts (27) ……………… lot, so I need to see him right away. Can you please tell the drama teacher for (28) ………………? I hope you all have a really fun time. (29) ……………… you going to choose the new school play today? Please send me a message later and tell me all about (30) ……………….
See you tomorrow,
Chris
Answer Key & Explanations
25 to
– Why it's right: We use "to" before a base verb like "say" to explain the reason or purpose for doing an action.
– Why not 'for': We cannot use "for" directly before a base verb to explain why we do something.
26 with
– Why it's right: We use the preposition "with" to talk about going somewhere alongside another person.
– Why not 'by': We use "by" to talk about how we travel (like "by car"), not the people we travel alongside.
27 a
– Why it's right: We always use the article "a" to complete the very common English phrase "a lot".
– Why not 'the': It is incorrect to say "the lot" when you are trying to say "very much".
28 me
– Why it's right: We need the object pronoun "me" because it comes immediately after the preposition "for".
– Why not 'I': We only use "I" before a verb as the main subject of a sentence, never after a preposition.
29 Are
– Why it's right: We need the helping verb "Are" to go with the subject "you" to make the "are going to" future question form.
– Why not 'Do': We use "Do" for simple present questions, but here we have the "-ing" verb "going", which requires "Are".
30 it
– Why it's right: We use the singular pronoun "it" to talk about one thing that was already mentioned, which is "the new school play".
– Why not 'them': We use "them" to talk about plural nouns (more than one), but there is only one play.