A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 5 Test – Classroom Excuses: Apologies & Polite Declines 5
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: Mia
To: Mr. Smith
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing to apologize because I cannot come (25) ……………… school today. I feel very sick and I have (26) ……………… bad temperature. I went to the doctor this morning and she told me to stay (27) ……………… bed for two days. My mum called the school earlier, but I (28) ……………… also very sorry that I will miss the maths exam this afternoon. Is it possible for me to take the test (29) ……………… Friday when I return? I promise to study hard while I am at home. Please let me know (30) ……………… I should do.
Best wishes,
Mia
Answer Key & Explanations
25 to
– Why it's right: We use to after verbs like come or go to show the place or building we are travelling towards (like come to school).
– Why not 'at': We use at when we are already inside or at a place, not when we are moving towards it.
26 a
– Why it's right: We use the indefinite article a when we talk about having common illnesses or symptoms in English, like a cold, a headache, or a bad temperature.
– Why not 'the': We do not use the because Mia is not talking about one specific temperature that the teacher already knows about.
27 in
– Why it's right: We use the preposition in to make the common phrase stay in bed, which means resting there because you are feeling sick.
– Why not 'on': When we are sick and under the covers, we say in bed. We only use on to talk about sitting on top of the blankets.
28 am
– Why it's right: We need the present simple 'be' verb am to match the pronoun I and the feeling adjective sorry.
– Why not 'was': Mia is feeling sorry right now as she writes the message, so we must use the present tense am, not the past tense was.
29 on
– Why it's right: We always use the preposition on before days of the week, like on Friday or on Monday.
– Why not 'in': We use in for longer times like months or years, but never for specific days of the week.
30 what
– Why it's right: We use the question word what in the middle of a sentence to mean 'the thing that'. Mia is asking the teacher to tell her the thing she needs to do next.
– Why not 'how': We use how to ask about the way to do something, but here Mia needs to know the action itself (what to do).
Test 2
Questions 25-30
For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.
From: William
To: Thomas
Hi Thomas,
Thanks (25) ……………… your message. You asked me to go to the cinema (26) ……………… you this afternoon, but I can't.
I don't want to miss our sports class at school. We (27) ……………… going to play basketball today. You know it is my favourite sport!
I love it because it is very fast and exciting. Our team is playing a match next week, (28) ……………… I really need to practise.
Why don't we go to the cinema (29) ……………… Saturday instead? Let (30) ……………… know if you are free then.
See you tomorrow,
William
Answer Key & Explanations
25 for
– Why it's right: We always use the preposition for after the word thanks when we want to show why we are thanking someone.
– Why not 'of': We never say "thanks of" in English; the correct phrase is always "thanks for".
26 with
– Why it's right: We use the preposition with to talk about doing an activity together or being in the company of another person.
– Why not 'by': We use by to talk about how we travel (like by bus), but we use with when talking about people.
27 are
– Why it's right: We use are with the pronoun We to complete the future plan structure (are + going to).
– Why not 'is': We only use is for singular pronouns like he, she, or it, but we is a plural pronoun.
28 so
– Why it's right: We use so to show the result of a situation. The result of having a match next week is that William needs to practise.
– Why not 'because': Because gives a reason for something, but here William is explaining a result.
29 on
– Why it's right: We always use the preposition on before days of the week, like Saturday.
– Why not 'in': We use in for months or years, but it is always incorrect to use it for specific days.
30 me
– Why it's right: We use the object pronoun me to complete the very common phrase Let me know, which means "tell me".
– Why not 'I': We never use a subject pronoun like I immediately after an action verb; it must be an object pronoun.
Test 3
Questions 25-30
For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.
From: Isabella
To: Sam
Hi Sam,
How are you? I am writing (25) ……………… say sorry about our English homework. I did not finish my part of the reading assignment last night. I felt very sick after dinner, (26) ……………… I went to sleep early.
I feel much better today. I am going to read the rest (27) ……………… the pages during the lunch break. I want to finish (28) ……………… before our afternoon class starts. Can we meet (29) ……………… 1 p.m. in the school library?
Please let (30) ……………… know if you are free.
See you later,
Isabella
Answer Key & Explanations
25 to
– Why it's right: We use "to" followed by a base verb (like "say") to explain the reason or purpose for doing an action.
– Why not 'for': We cannot put "for" directly before an action verb like "say"; "for" must be followed by a noun or an "-ing" word.
26 so
– Why it's right: We use "so" to show the result of a situation. Isabella was sick, and the result was that she went to sleep early.
– Why not 'because': "Because" is used to give a reason, but going to sleep early is the result of being sick, not the reason for it.
27 of
– Why it's right: We use the preposition "of" to show that one thing belongs to or is a part of a larger group, perfectly completing the phrase "the rest of".
– Why not 'from': We do not say "the rest from" in English when talking about remaining parts of a whole.
28 them
– Why it's right: We use the object pronoun "them" to replace a plural noun we already talked about. Here, "them" takes the place of "the pages".
– Why not 'it': We use "it" to replace a singular noun, but "the pages" means more than one page.
29 at
– Why it's right: We always use the preposition "at" when we are talking about an exact clock time, like 1 p.m.
– Why not 'in': We use "in" for months, years, or parts of the day (like "in the morning"), but not for exact clock times.
30 me
– Why it's right: "Me" is an object pronoun that receives the action. It perfectly completes the very common English phrase "let me know" (which means "tell me").
– Why not 'I': "I" is a subject pronoun used to start a sentence, but here we need an object pronoun after the verb "let".