A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Weather, Geography & Earth Science 5
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.
Desert Sandstorms
A sandstorm is a very strong wind that happens in dry places like deserts. During a sandstorm, the wind is so fast that it picks up a lot of sand from the ground. It carries the sand high into the air. When this happens, the sky can suddenly (19)…………… dark.
It is very dangerous to be outside in a sandstorm. Because there is so much sand in the air, it becomes very hard to (20)…………… anything around you. The sand flies everywhere and can quickly (21)…………… roads, cars, and even small houses.
If you live in the desert, you must be careful. People usually (22)…………… inside their homes when a sandstorm begins. They close all their windows to keep the dirty sand (23)…………… . After the storm finishes, everyone has to (24)…………… a lot of time cleaning their towns.
19 A turn B change C make
20 A look B see C watch
21 A cover B hide C close
22 A rest B live C stay
23 A out B away C off
24 A give B spend C pass
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (turn): We use 'turn' before an adjective to describe something naturally changing its state or colour (turn dark, turn cold). This is a fixed English collocation. We do not say 'change dark' or 'make dark' without an object.
20 B (see): 'See' is the correct verb for the physical ability to use your eyes. 'Look' needs the preposition 'at' (look at anything), and 'watch' means to focus on something moving over time, which does not fit the meaning of general eyesight here.
21 A (cover): 'Cover' fits the semantic meaning of putting a physical layer over something. 'Hide' means to deliberately put something in a secret place, and 'close' is used for doors, windows, or shops, not for blowing sand onto a road.
22 C (stay): 'Stay' fits the broader context of the text, meaning to safely remain in one place during a dangerous event. While people do 'live' in their homes, 'stay' specifically answers what they do when the storm begins. 'Rest' just means to relax.
23 A (out): 'Keep out' is the correct phrase meaning to prevent something from entering a space (like keeping sand out of a house). 'Keep away' means to maintain a physical distance from something, and 'keep off' means to not step on or touch something.
24 B (spend): 'Spend time' is the correct English collocation to describe using your time to do a specific activity. While in some languages you 'pass' time, this is not a natural collocation in English, and 'give' does not fit here.
Test 2
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Clouds and Rain
Clouds are amazing things that float high above us. When you look up at the (19)…………… , you usually see big, beautiful clouds. On a sunny day, they are often bright and (20)…………… . But when it is going to rain, they change and become dark grey.
A cloud is actually made of millions of tiny drops of water. As the wind blows, the clouds travel and (21)…………… this water over long distances. When the drops of water become too heavy, they cannot (22)…………… up in the air. They fall down to the ground as rain.
Rain is very important because it gives plants the water they (23)…………… to grow strong. So, when the weather is bad, remember that the clouds are doing a very important (24)…………… !
19 A space B sky C air
20 A clean B clear C white
21 A hold B catch C carry
22 A keep B stay C stand
23 A need B ask C wish
24 A work B business C job
Answer Key & Explanations
19 B (sky): "Look up at the sky" is a very common fixed phrase. We look at the "sky" to see clouds. "Space" is much higher up where the stars and planets are, and "air" is invisible all around us.
20 C (white): "White" is the correct colour for clouds on a sunny day (this directly contrasts with "dark grey" in the next sentence). A "clear" sky means there are no clouds at all, and "clean" means not dirty, which we do not use to describe weather.
21 C (carry): "Carry" is the correct verb because the clouds hold the water and move it from one place to another. "Hold" just means to keep something in one place, and "catch" means to grab something that is moving quickly.
22 B (stay): The phrasal verb "stay up" means to remain in a high place without falling. If we use "keep", we must use an object (like "keep the water up"). "Stand" is used for people or animals on their legs, not for drops of water.
23 A (need): Plants "need" water to live. We cannot choose "ask" or "wish" because plants are not people; they cannot speak or have thoughts.
24 C (job): "Job" is a countable noun, so it matches perfectly with the article "a" (a very important job). "Work" is an uncountable noun, so it is grammatically incorrect to say "a work". "Business" usually refers to a company.
Test 3
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Equator
The equator is a special line that goes all the way around the middle of the Earth. Because it is exactly in the middle, the countries near the equator are very (19)…………… all year round. The weather almost never changes, so these places do not (20)…………… four different seasons.
Instead, countries on the equator usually only get a wet season and a dry season. The sun shines directly down on them, giving them a lot of light. Because of this weather, these areas are home to beautiful tropical rainforests. Millions of amazing plants and animals (21)…………… in these warm places.
If you travel to the equator, you must (22)…………… sure you pack light clothes. You will also (23)…………… to wear a hat when you go outside. Visiting the equator is a wonderful (24)…………… , especially if you love the sun!
19 A hot B deep C heavy
20 A have B make C do
21 A live B stay C rest
22 A make B do C keep
23 A need B hope C learn
24 A idea B way C job
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (hot): "Hot" is the correct semantic fit to describe the temperature and climate of countries at the equator. "Deep" is used for water or holes, and "heavy" is used for objects with a lot of weight or for rain, but not for a country's general climate.
20 A (have): "Have seasons" is the correct English collocation for experiencing parts of the year. We do not use the verbs "make" or "do" when talking about naturally occurring seasons.
21 A (live): "Live" correctly describes the permanent existence of plants and animals in a habitat. "Stay" implies a short or temporary visit (like staying in a hotel), and "rest" means to sleep or relax, which does not fit the broader meaning of a habitat.
22 A (make): "Make sure" is a very common English collocation that means to check or confirm that something is done correctly. We do not use the verbs "do" or "keep" in this specific phrase.
23 A (need): "Need" fits the phrase-level context of requiring a hat for protection from the sun. "Hope" and "learn" can be followed by "to", but they do not make logical sense when talking about the practical requirement of wearing sun protection.
24 A (idea): "A wonderful idea" is the correct semantic phrase to describe a good plan or thought. "Way" would need to be followed by an action (a wonderful way to spend time), and a holiday is not a "job".