A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Holidays, Vacations & Travel Experiences 3
Reading » A2 Reading Tests » A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Holidays, Vacations & Travel Experiences
Test 1
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Beach Holiday
Going on a beach holiday is a popular choice for many families during the summer. When you finally arrive, the first thing you feel is the warm sun on your face. Most people enjoy taking off their shoes and walking on the soft (19)…………… . The beach is a great place to build castles or collect shells.
In the middle of the afternoon, the weather often gets very (20)…………… . When this happens, the best thing to do is to go (21)…………… in the cool blue sea. It is always fun to play in the waves with your friends and family.
After you come out of the water, it is time for (22)…………… on your towel. Many people like reading a good book or listening to music. Before you leave, you should always (23)…………… some photos of the beautiful view. A beach trip is a wonderful way to (24)…………… your free time.
19 A grass B sand C floor
20 A cold B dark C hot
21 A climbing B running C swimming
22 A relaxing B working C studying
23 A make B do C take
24 A pass B spend C give
Answer Key & Explanations
19 B (sand): This tests semantic fit. Soft "sand" is the natural physical surface you walk on at a beach to build castles. "Grass" is found in a park or garden, and a "floor" is inside a building.
20 C (hot): This relies on the broader context of the paragraph. Because you need to go into the "cool" sea in the next sentence, it is logical that the afternoon weather has become "hot".
21 C (swimming): This tests phrase-level meaning. "Go swimming" is the correct and logical activity to do in the water to cool down. You cannot go "climbing" or "running" in the sea.
22 A (relaxing): This tests semantic fit. Reading a book or listening to music are quiet activities that match the idea of "relaxing" on a holiday. People do not usually go to the beach for "working" or "studying".
23 C (take): This tests collocation. "Take photos" is the correct and highly common A2-level phrase. In natural English, you do not "make" or "do" a photo.
24 B (spend): This tests collocation. "Spend free time" is the standard phrase for using your available hours for enjoyable activities. We do not say "pass" or "give" your free time in this context.
Test 2
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Winter Ski Holiday
Going on a winter ski holiday is an exciting way to spend time with your family. To go skiing, you usually travel to the (19)…………… because you need high places. It is often very (20)…………… outside in the winter, so you must keep warm. You need to (21)…………… special clothes, like thick jackets and good gloves.
When you start, it is normal to fall over into the soft (22)……………, but it does not hurt! Many beginners choose to (23)…………… lessons with a teacher on their first day. They teach you how to stop and turn safely. After some practice, you will learn how to go very (24)…………… down the hills. It is a fantastic sport!
19 A mountains B forests C islands
20 A cold B dark C late
21 A wear B dress C carry
22 A snow B ice C water
23 A take B make C do
24 A fast B early C soon
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (mountains): 'Mountains' is the correct semantic fit because the text explains you need "high places" for skiing. 'Forests' and 'islands' are not always high places.
20 A (cold): 'Cold' fits the broader context of the sentence perfectly. Because it is cold, "you must keep warm." 'Dark' and 'late' might describe a winter evening, but they do not explain why you need to stay warm.
21 A (wear): 'Wear' is the correct verb collocation to use with clothes that you put on your body. You do not 'dress' clothes (you 'get dressed'), and 'carrying' them means holding them in your hands, which will not keep you warm.
22 A (snow): At the phrase level, 'snow' fits because the text describes it as "soft". 'Ice' is hard and 'water' is liquid, so neither fits the description of falling over into something soft on a ski hill.
23 A (take): 'Take lessons' is the correct English collocation for learning a new skill with a teacher. We do not 'make' or 'do' lessons.
24 A (fast): 'Fast' is the correct semantic fit to describe how you move (your speed) down a hill on skis. 'Early' and 'soon' describe time, not physical movement.
Test 3
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Staying in a Tent
Sleeping in a tent is a popular way to spend a holiday. When you go camping, you sleep (19)…………… instead of in a building. You need to choose a good place for your tent, usually on flat ground.
Inside, it is important to have a warm (20)…………… bag. This keeps you comfortable when it gets cold at night. Many campsites do not have lights, so it is very (21)…………… in the evening. Because of this, campers often use a torch to see.
A great thing about camping is looking up at the sky. If the weather is clear, you can see hundreds of bright (22)…………… . Families also enjoy sitting around a camp (23)…………… together. They can cook simple meals or share (24)…………… about their day before going to sleep.
19 A outside B everywhere C far
20 A sleeping B resting C dreaming
21 A dark B black C blind
22 A stars B lamps C clouds
23 A fire B flame C heat
24 A stories B news C messages
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (outside): This fits the phrase-level meaning of not being inside a building. We do not say you sleep 'everywhere' or 'far' when simply comparing it to staying indoors.
20 A (sleeping): 'Sleeping bag' is a fixed collocation for the thick, warm bag you sleep in when camping. We do not use the words 'resting' or 'dreaming' to describe this item.
21 A (dark): This is the correct semantic fit to describe a place with no lights. 'Black' is a colour, and 'blind' describes a person or animal that cannot see.
22 A (stars): The broader context of looking up at the night sky points to stars. 'Clouds' do not shine brightly in this context, and 'lamps' are man-made objects kept on the ground.
23 A (fire): 'Camp fire' is a standard English collocation for the small fire people build outside to keep warm or cook. We do not say 'camp flame' or 'camp heat'.
24 A (stories): 'Share stories' is a natural phrase for talking about fun or interesting things that happened. 'News' usually refers to serious world events, and 'messages' are written texts sent on a phone.