A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 5 Test – Social Graces: Apologies & Polite Declines 5
Reading » A2 Reading Tests » A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 5 Test – Social Graces: Apologies & Polite Declines
Test 1
Questions 25-30
For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.
From: Mia
To: Sam
Hi Sam,
Thank you for asking me to go to the pop concert this weekend. I really want to go with you, (25) ……………… I cannot. My parents said no (26) ……………… it finishes too late at night. I am very sad about it! (27) ……………… you got an extra ticket now? My older brother wants to go. He is (28) ……………… big fan of that band. (29) ……………… you think he can buy it from you? Please tell (30) ……………… tomorrow morning at school. Have a great time!
Answer Key & Explanations
25 but
– Why it's right: We use the conjunction but to connect two opposing ideas (she wants to go, but she is not allowed).
– Why not 'so': The word so introduces a result, but here we need a word to show a difference or problem.
26 because
– Why it's right: We use this word to give the reason why her parents will not let her go to the concert.
– Why not 'when': The word when is used to talk about time, but Mia needs to explain the reason for her parents' answer.
27 Have
– Why it's right: We use the auxiliary verb Have with the word got to ask a question about possession (Have you got...?).
– Why not 'Do': You can ask Do you have? but you cannot say Do you got? because got needs the verb have.
28 a
– Why it's right: We use the indefinite article a when we talk about a single person or thing for the first time.
– Why not 'an': We only use an before words that start with a vowel sound, but the word big starts with a consonant sound.
29 Do
– Why it's right: We use the auxiliary verb Do to start a present simple question with the pronoun you.
– Why not 'Are': We cannot use Are here because the main verb in the sentence (think) is in its base form, not an -ing form.
30 me
– Why it's right: We need the object pronoun me after the verb tell to show who needs to receive the message.
– Why not 'my': The word my is a possessive word that must always go right before a noun (like my ticket), not on its own.
Test 2
Questions 25-30
For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.
From: William
To: Leo
Hi Leo,
I am writing to you (25) ……………… I need to say sorry. When I came home from school today, I (26) ……………… very hungry. I looked in the fridge and I saw (27) ……………… last slice of chocolate cake on a plate. It looked so delicious that I ate (28) ………………! I know you wanted to eat it after your football match, so I feel really bad. I am (29) ……………… to the supermarket now to buy a new cake for you. I hope you are not angry (30) ……………… me!
See you later.
Answer Key & Explanations
25 because
– Why it's right: We use 'because' to give a reason for an action. William is explaining the exact reason why he is writing the email.
– Why not 'so': We use 'so' to show a result, but William needs a word that introduces his reason.
26 was
– Why it's right: We use 'was' to talk about a state or feeling in the past with the subject 'I'. William is talking about how hungry he felt earlier today.
– Why not 'am': The sentence starts with 'When I came', which is in the past tense, so the present tense 'am' does not fit here.
27 the
– Why it's right: We always use 'the' before the word 'last' when talking about things in an order, because there is only one final thing.
– Why not 'a': You cannot use 'a' with 'last' because 'a' means any slice, but he is talking about one specific, final slice.
28 it
– Why it's right: We use the object pronoun 'it' to replace a thing we have already mentioned. Here, 'it' means the slice of chocolate cake.
– Why not 'them': We use 'them' for plural words (more than one), but there was only one single slice of cake.
29 going
– Why it's right: We use the present continuous (am + verb-ing) to talk about an action happening right now. The word 'now' shows he is currently on his way.
– Why not 'go': After the helping verb 'am', you must add an '-ing' ending to the next verb. You cannot use a simple base verb like 'go'.
30 with
– Why it's right: In English, we use the preposition 'with' after the adjective 'angry' when we are talking about a person (angry with someone).
– Why not 'to': You can be kind 'to' someone or speak 'to' someone, but the correct preposition to use after 'angry' is 'with'.
Test 3
Questions 25-30
For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.
From: Isabella
To: Aunt Mary
Dear Aunt Mary,
Thank you (25) ……………… asking me to babysit my younger cousins this Saturday evening. I would love to help, (26) ……………… I cannot do it. I have (27) ……………… very important history exam next Monday, so I must stay in my bedroom and study. I am really sorry.
Can I come and visit you (28) ……………… Sunday afternoon instead? My mum (29) ……………… going to make a big chocolate cake, so I can bring some for you all. Please let (30) ……………… know if that is OK.
Love,
Isabella
Answer Key & Explanations
25 for
– Why it's right: We use the preposition "for" when we want to thank someone for an action, like asking or inviting.
– Why not 'to': We don't say "thank you to doing something"; we always use "for" plus the "-ing" verb.
26 but
– Why it's right: We use the conjunction "but" to connect two different or opposite ideas, like wanting to help and not being able to.
– Why not 'because': "Because" gives a reason, but here Isabella is showing a contrast between her wish and reality.
27 a
– Why it's right: We use the article "a" to introduce one singular thing (an exam) to the reader for the very first time.
– Why not 'the': We don't use "the" here because Aunt Mary doesn't know which specific exam Isabella is talking about yet.
28 on
– Why it's right: We always use the preposition "on" when we talk about specific days of the week, like Sunday.
– Why not 'in': We use "in" for months and years (like "in May"), but never for days of the week.
29 is
– Why it's right: We need the auxiliary verb "is" to complete the "going to" future tense for one singular person (My mum).
– Why not 'are': We don't use "are" because "My mum" is only one person, and "are" is used for plural subjects like "they" or "we".
30 me
– Why it's right: We use the object pronoun "me" after the verb "let" to form the common English phrase "let me know" (which means "tell me").
– Why not 'I': We never use the subject pronoun "I" directly after an action verb like "let".