A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Weather, Geography & Earth Science 2
Reading » A2 Reading Tests » A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Weather, Geography & Earth Science
Test 1
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Winter Snowstorms
Winter is a beautiful season, but it can sometimes bring very bad weather. One of the most dangerous winter storms is a blizzard. During a blizzard, a lot of heavy snow falls and a very strong wind blows. The wind can (19)…………… it very difficult to see outside.
Because the wind is so strong, the snow can quickly (20)…………… roads and paths. It is not safe to walk or drive in this kind of weather. When a blizzard starts, people usually (21)…………… inside their homes where it is safe.
They sit in comfortable rooms and wait for the storm to finish. It is a good idea to (22)…………… warm by wearing thick clothes. People might also make a hot (23)…………… , like tea or hot chocolate. When the weather finally gets (24)…………… , everyone can go outside to build a snowman in the deep snow.
19 A make B do C put
20 A cover B close C fill
21 A stay B keep C hold
22 A keep B make C do
23 A drink B food C meal
24 A better B kinder C happier
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (make): We use the verb 'make' with an object and an adjective (make it difficult) to describe causing a situation. We do not use 'do' or 'put' in this grammatical structure.
20 A (cover): When snow falls and spreads over the ground, it "covers" it. Authorities or police might "close" a road, but the snow itself covers it. We use "fill" for holes or containers (like a cup), not flat roads.
21 A (stay): The verb "stay" means to remain in one place, which fits perfectly with being inside during a storm. If we use "keep" or "hold", we need an object (e.g., keep the dog inside).
22 A (keep): The phrase "keep warm" is a standard English collocation meaning to maintain your body heat. We cannot say "make warm" or "do warm" without an object (you can make yourself warm).
23 A (drink): The text gives examples of "tea or hot chocolate", which are both types of a warm "drink". They are liquids, so they cannot be described as "food" or a "meal".
24 A (better): In the context of bad weather finishing, the weather gets "better" (improves). "Kinder" and "happier" are adjectives used to describe the feelings or personalities of people and animals, not the weather.
Test 2
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Thunder and Lightning
Storms can be exciting, but they can also be a little scary. When the weather changes quickly, you might see a flash of light in the sky. This is called lightning. It happens when electricity moves through the clouds. It makes the whole sky completely (19)…………… for a short time.
Soon after the lightning, you will usually hear thunder. This is a very loud (20)…………… that comes from the dark sky. Even though thunder and lightning happen at exactly the same time, we always see the light first. Because light travels so fast, you see the lightning (21)…………… you hear the thunder.
If you are outside during a big storm, it is a good (22)…………… to go indoors immediately. You should stay away from tall trees and open water to keep yourself (23)…………… . Watching a storm can be interesting, but only when you (24)…………… inside your house!
19 A bright B clear C clean
20 A noise B voice C shout
21 A before B during C until
22 A idea B plan C answer
23 A safe B sure C true
24 A stay B rest C wait
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (bright): 'Bright' is the correct semantic fit to describe a place filled with strong light. 'Clear' is used for a sky with no clouds, and 'clean' means free from dirt; neither fits the description of a sudden flash of light.
20 A (noise): 'Noise' is the correct semantic fit for a loud, non-human sound like thunder. A 'voice' or a 'shout' must come from a person.
21 A (before): In this phrase-level context, 'before' correctly shows the time order of the two events (seeing the light, then hearing the sound). 'During' means at the same time, and 'until' means up to a certain point in time.
22 A (idea): 'A good idea' is a very common English collocation used when giving advice or talking about a smart choice. 'Plan' refers to a future schedule, and 'answer' does not form a natural phrase in this specific sentence structure.
23 A (safe): In this broader context, staying away from tall trees protects you from the storm, which keeps you 'safe' from danger. 'Sure' means certain, and 'true' means a correct fact; neither makes sense here.
24 A (stay): 'Stay inside' is a strong, natural collocation meaning to remain in a place. While you can 'rest' or 'wait' in a house, 'stay' is the correct verb to contrast with being 'outside' during the storm.
Test 3
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Rivers of Ice
Glaciers are like large rivers of ice. You can find them in high mountains in many different (19)…………… of the world.
They only form in places where the weather is very (20)…………… all year round. Because it is freezing, the snow never completely melts. Over a long time, the thick snow changes into solid ice.
Even though they look hard and still, glaciers actually (21)…………… down the mountain. However, they do this very (22)……………, so it is hard to see them moving. It can (23)…………… a glacier hundreds of years to travel just one kilometre!
As the glacier travels, it collects dirt and stones from the ground. Because of this, the bottom of the ice is usually (24)…………… of small rocks. Glaciers truly are an amazing part of nature.
19 A parts B pieces C members
20 A cold B dark C heavy
21 A move B fall C climb
22 A slowly B quietly C carefully
23 A take B spend C keep
24 A full B tired C afraid
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (parts): This tests a fixed collocation. We use the phrase "parts of the world" to describe different geographic regions or areas. "Pieces" is used for broken fragments (like a piece of cake or glass), and "members" refers to people or animals in a group.
20 A (cold): This tests semantic fit. The sentence explains what weather is needed to form ice. "Cold" is the only logical choice, as freezing temperatures are required. "Dark" refers to a lack of light, and "heavy" describes weight.
21 A (move): This tests broader context. The previous clause states that they "look hard and still", but the text then contrasts this by explaining that they travel down the mountain. Therefore, they "move". Glaciers flow along the ground, so they do not drop rapidly ("fall"), and they travel downwards, so they do not go up ("climb").
22 A (slowly): This tests semantic fit. The text explains that it is hard to see them moving, and it takes hundreds of years to travel one kilometre. This clearly describes speed, making "slowly" the correct answer. "Quietly" describes sound, and "carefully" describes a person thinking to avoid mistakes.
23 A (take): This tests a very common A2 collocation and grammatical structure. We say "it takes [time] to do [something]" when describing how much time is needed for a process. Humans can "spend" time, but an action or event "takes" time. "Keep" does not fit this time structure.
24 A (full): This tests phrase-level meaning. The phrase "full of" is used to describe something that contains a large amount of something else (like ice containing rocks). While "tired" and "afraid" can also be followed by the preposition "of", ice does not have feelings.