A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Young Inventors, Scientists & Helpers 9
Reading » A2 Reading Tests » A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 4 Test – Young Inventors, Scientists & Helpers
Test 1
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Teen Water Inventor
Gitanjali is a young inventor from the United States who wants to help people around the world. When she was eleven years old, she learned that many people did not have clean water.
She decided to do something about it. Gitanjali spent a lot of time reading about science on the internet. She wanted to (19)…………… sure that water was safe for everyone. So, she built a small machine that can test water. If the water is (20)…………… , the machine sends a message to a mobile phone.
Her amazing (21)…………… won a big science prize. Now, she travels to different countries and talks to other young people. She is very good (22)…………… sharing her ideas. She tells them that anyone can (23)…………… a brilliant idea. In the future, she hopes to help more people get safe (24)…………… water every day.
19 A make B get C do
20 A sick B dirty C broken
21 A journey B lesson C invention
22 A in B on C at
23 A do B make C have
24 A drinking B eating C washing
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (make): This tests a standard A2 collocation. The correct fixed phrase is 'make sure', which means to check that something is safe or correct. The verbs 'get' and 'do' do not form this phrase.
20 B (dirty): This is a semantic fit. The text is about cleaning water that is not safe, so the correct word to describe the bad water is 'dirty'. 'Sick' is used for people or animals, and 'broken' is used for machines or objects.
21 C (invention): This requires understanding the broader context of the text. Gitanjali created a new machine to test water, and a new thing that someone builds is called an 'invention'. A 'journey' is a trip, and a 'lesson' is something you learn in school.
22 C (at): This tests phrase-level meaning. When talking about a person's skill or ability, the correct preposition to use after the adjective 'good' is 'at' (e.g., good at sharing). We do not say 'good in' or 'good on' for skills.
23 C (have): This tests a strong collocation. In English, the correct fixed phrase for thinking of a new plan or thought is to 'have an idea'. We do not use the verbs 'do' or 'make' to form this phrase.
24 A (drinking): This is a semantic fit. The correct compound noun for clean water that is safe for people to consume is 'drinking water'. While you can use water for 'washing', the text specifically focuses on people not having clean water to keep them healthy.
Test 2
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Young Bird Conservationist
Leo is a thirteen-year-old boy from Scotland who loves nature. His favourite hobby is studying the wild birds in his garden. He spends hours sitting quietly under a tree so he can watch them. When the weather is very cold, it is difficult for birds to (19)…………… enough food. So, Leo always wants to (20)…………… sure that they have plenty to eat. He puts seeds and fruit on a special wooden table.
In the spring, Leo helps the birds build their (21)…………… . He leaves small pieces of wool and grass on the ground for the birds to pick (22)…………… . They use these soft things to keep their babies warm.
Leo is very (23)…………… in learning more about how to protect animals. Next month, he is going to join a local wildlife club (24)…………… he wants to meet other teenagers who share his hobby.
19 A find B look C search
20 A make B do C take
21 A beds B nests C houses
22 A out B off C up
23 A interested B excited C happy
24 A because B so C but
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (find): The verb 'find' means to discover or get something you need. 'Look' and 'search' are incorrect because they both need the preposition 'for' in this context (look for / search for food).
20 A (make): The correct collocation is 'make sure', which means to check or ensure something happens. In English, we do not say 'do sure' or 'take sure'.
21 B (nests): Birds build 'nests' to lay their eggs and keep their babies safe. 'Beds' and 'houses' are used for humans or indoor pets, not wild birds.
22 C (up): The correct phrasal verb for lifting something from the ground is 'pick up'. 'Pick out' means to choose something, and 'pick off' means to remove something.
23 A (interested): The correct adjective to use before the preposition 'in' is 'interested'. If we used the distractors, we would say 'excited about' or 'happy about'.
24 A (because): This conjunction gives the reason why he is joining the club (he wants to meet other teenagers). 'So' gives a result, and 'but' introduces a contrast.
Test 3
Questions 19-24
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Young Coding Teacher
Tom is fifteen years old and he loves working with computers. He learned to make his own computer games when he was just ten. Now, every Wednesday after school, he teaches a special (19)…………… for younger students.
Tom is a very good teacher. He stands at the front and uses a big screen to explain how things work. When the children are busy, he walks around and (20)…………… at their computers. If someone does not understand, they can (21)…………… Tom a question. He always explains things very clearly so they can learn.
Writing computer programs is not an (22)…………… thing to do. However, Tom is very kind and he (23)…………… a lot of time helping everyone. The younger kids really enjoy the afternoon, (24)…………… they can play the fun games they make. Next year, Tom hopes to start a computer club for adults, too.
19 A class B game C hobby
20 A looks B watches C sees
21 A ask B tell C say
22 A easy B soft C light
23 A spends B passes C stays
24 A because B but C so
Answer Key & Explanations
19 A (class): "Class" fits the semantic meaning of a group of students learning something together. A "game" is something you play, and a "hobby" is a personal activity you do for fun, so neither fits the context of teaching students.
20 A (looks): "Looks" is the correct verb because it pairs with the preposition "at" to mean directing your eyes towards something (looks at their computers). "Watches" and "sees" do not take the preposition "at" in this phrase structure.
21 A (ask): "Ask a question" is a fixed, standard English collocation. We do not use the verbs "tell" or "say" directly with the noun "question".
22 A (easy): "Easy" is the correct adjective to describe an activity or task that is not difficult. "Soft" describes something that is not physically hard (like a bed), and "light" means not heavy, so neither fits the concept of writing computer programs.
23 A (spends): "Spend time" (or spends a lot of time) is the correct collocation here for using your time to do a specific activity. You cannot "stay" time, and while time "passes", we do not use it in this active phrase.
24 A (because): This conjunction is needed for the broader context to show a reason. The kids enjoy the afternoon, and the reason is because they get to play the games. "But" shows a contrast, and "so" shows a result.