A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 5 Test – Holiday Memories: Recounting Trips & Journeys 5

25 by

– Why it's right: We always use the preposition by when we talk about a type of transport without using an article (like by bus, by car, or by train).

– Why not 'on': We can say on a bus, but we cannot say on bus without the letter 'a'.

26 the

– Why it's right: We must always use the definite article the before a superlative adjective, like most tiring or biggest.

– Why not 'a': We never use a with a superlative adjective because there can only be one "most tiring" journey.

27 it

– Why it's right: We need the subject pronoun it to take the place of the noun the trip. This helps us avoid repeating the same words.

– Why not 'he': We use he for a boy or a man, but a trip is a thing, so we must use it.

28 were

– Why it's right: We use the past simple verb were to complete the phrase there were because we are talking about a plural noun (people) in the past.

– Why not 'was': We use there was for just one person or thing, but people means many people.

29 to

– Why it's right: In English, we always use the preposition to directly after the verb listen when we talk about what we are hearing.

– Why not 'at': We can look at something, but we must always listen to something.

30 do

– Why it's right: We need the auxiliary verb do to make the present simple negative form do not want. The writer is talking about how they feel right now.

– Why not 'did': We use did to talk about a finished feeling in the past, but the writer is talking about their feelings in the present.

25 are

– Why it's right: We use 'are' with the plural subject 'We' and the '-ing' verb 'staying' to make the present continuous tense.

– Why not 'do': We cannot use 'do' because the main verb 'staying' ends in '-ing'; 'do' is only used with base verbs like 'stay'.

26 a

– Why it's right: We use the indefinite article 'a' before a singular noun ('cave') when we describe what kind of thing it is for the first time.

– Why not 'the': We do not use 'the' here because Jack is comparing the room to a general cave, not one specific cave they have already talked about.

27 the

– Why it's right: We must always use the definite article 'the' before superlative adjectives like 'strangest', 'biggest', or 'best'.

– Why not 'a': We use 'a' for singular nouns, but never before a superlative because there can only be one 'strangest' place.

28 but

– Why it's right: We use 'but' to link two ideas and show a difference or contrast. The bed is comfortable (which is good), but the room is cold (which is bad).

– Why not 'so': We use 'so' to show a result or consequence, not to show a contrast between two opposite ideas.

29 Do

– Why it's right: We need the auxiliary verb 'do' to make a present simple question with the main verb 'want' and the subject 'you'.

– Why not 'Are': You cannot say 'Are you want' because 'want' is a main action verb; 'are' is only used with adjectives, nouns, or verbs ending in '-ing'.

30 to

– Why it's right: We use the preposition 'to' after the verb 'send' to show who is going to receive the items. The structure is 'send something to someone'.

– Why not 'for': We do not use 'for' when someone directly transfers or delivers an object to another person in this way.

25 with

– Why it's right: We use the preposition "with" to talk about being together alongside other people, like family or friends.

– Why not 'by': We use "by" for travelling (like "by car") or doing something alone ("by myself"), but not for being together with someone.

26 to

– Why it's right: After the verb "decide", we always use "to" plus another verb (like "go") when we talk about making a choice or a plan.

– Why not 'for': We can use "for" before a noun (like "decided for us"), but we must use "to" right before a verb.

27 than

– Why it's right: We always use "than" right after a comparative adjective (like "colder" or "bigger") to compare two different things or days.

– Why not 'that': "That" is a pronoun used to point at things; it is never used to compare two things in an English sentence.

28 on

– Why it's right: "Put on" is a very common phrasal verb that means to dress yourself in clothes, like putting on a coat or shoes.

– Why not 'in': You can be "in" your clothes once you are dressed, but the action of getting dressed is always "put on".

29 for

– Why it's right: We use the preposition "for" in the very common English phrase "for the first time" to talk about a brand new experience.

– Why not 'at': We use "at" to talk about exact clock times (like "at one o'clock"), but never for this specific phrase.

30 Do

– Why it's right: We use the helping verb "Do" at the beginning of a question in the present simple tense with the subject "you".

– Why not 'Are': We use "Are" with adjectives or verbs ending in "-ing", but here the main verb is "like", so we must use "Do".