A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 5 Test – Social Graces: Apologies & Polite Declines 1

Reading » A2 Reading Tests » A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 5 Test – Social Graces: Apologies & Polite Declines

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Test 1

Questions 25-30

For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.

From: Lily

To: Sophie

Hi Sophie,

I am so sorry, but I cannot come (25) ……………… your birthday party tomorrow afternoon. I feel really sick today. My doctor says that I have (26) ……………… bad cold and I must stay in bed for two days. I am very sad (27) ……………… I wanted to celebrate with you. I bought a really nice present (28) ……………… you yesterday! I hope (29) ……………… have a fantastic time with all of our friends. My brother (30) ……………… going to bring your gift to school on Monday morning. Have a wonderful birthday!

Love,

Lily

Answer Key & Explanations

25 to

Why it's right: We use the preposition to after the verb come when we talk about traveling to a place or an event.

Why not 'at': You can arrive at a party, but you must use to when talking about movement towards a destination.

26 a

Why it's right: We always use the indefinite article a when we talk about common illnesses, like having a cold or a headache.

Why not 'the': We do not use the because she is talking about a general sickness, not one specific cold that Sophie already knows about.

27 because

Why it's right: We use this conjunction to explain the reason why Lily is feeling sad.

Why not 'so': The word so introduces a result, but here we need a word that introduces the reason.

28 for

Why it's right: We use the preposition for to show who is going to receive a gift.

Why not 'to': We can say we give a present to someone, but we always buy a present for someone.

29 you

Why it's right: We need the subject pronoun you because Lily is talking directly to Sophie about her party.

Why not 'we': Lily cannot use we because she is sick and will not be at the party to have fun with them.

30 is

Why it's right: We use is to complete the is going to structure, which talks about future plans for a single person (her brother).

Why not 'are': We cannot use are because the subject my brother is only one person, so we need the singular verb.

    Test 2

    Questions 25-30

    For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.

    From: Mark

    To: Chloe

    Hi Chloe,

    I am writing this email (25) ……………… say sorry. This morning, I was washing the dishes (26) ……………… the kitchen. I dropped your favourite coffee cup (27) ……………… the floor, and it broke. I feel very bad about it because I know you drink hot chocolate from (28) ……………… every day. I am (29) ……………… to buy a new one for you after school tomorrow. (30) ……………… you want the same colour, or would you like a different cup? Please don't be angry with me!

    See you later.

    Answer Key & Explanations

    25 to

    Why it's right: We use 'to' before a verb to explain why we are doing something. Mark is writing this email to say sorry.

    Why not 'for': You use 'for' before a noun (like 'for an apology'), but you always use 'to' before a verb like 'say'.

    26 in

    Why it's right: We use 'in' to talk about being inside a specific room, like 'in the kitchen' or 'in the bedroom'.

    Why not 'at': We use 'at' for general locations like 'at school' or 'at home', but rarely for specific rooms inside a house.

    27 on

    Why it's right: We use 'on' when something is touching a flat surface, like a table, a wall, or the floor.

    Why not 'in': 'In' means inside something like a box or a container, but the floor is a flat surface!

    28 it

    Why it's right: We use the pronoun 'it' to talk about a thing that we already mentioned. Here, 'it' means the favourite coffee cup.

    Why not 'them': The word 'them' is used for two or more things, but Mark is only talking about one single cup.

    29 going

    Why it's right: We use the structure 'am going to' followed by a verb to talk about our future plans. Mark plans to buy a new cup tomorrow.

    Why not 'go': After the helping verb 'am', you need a verb with an '-ing' ending to talk about this kind of future plan, not the simple word 'go'.

    30 Do

    Why it's right: We use 'Do' to ask a present tense question with a simple verb like 'want'. Because it is the first word of the sentence, it must have a capital letter.

    Why not 'Are': You cannot use 'Are' with the simple verb 'want'. You would only use 'Are' if the next verb had an '-ing' at the end.

    Test 3

    Questions 25-30

    For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.

    From: Daisy

    To: Chloe

    Hi Chloe,

    Thank you (25) ……………… inviting me to your house this Saturday. I would love to come, (26) ……………… I can't. My mum and dad told me that my grandparents (27) ……………… travelling from Scotland to visit us this weekend. They are staying in my bedroom, so I have to sleep in (28) ……………… living room! We are going to have a big family dinner (29) ……………… Saturday evening. I haven't seen them for a long time. Do you want (30) ……………… go to the park next week instead?

    See you soon!

    Answer Key & Explanations

    25 for

    Why it's right: We use the preposition "for" when we want to thank someone for an action, like inviting a friend.

    Why not 'to': We don't say "thank you to doing something"; we always use "for" plus the "-ing" verb.

    26 but

    Why it's right: We use the conjunction "but" to connect two different or opposite ideas, like wanting to go somewhere and not being able to.

    Why not 'because': "Because" gives a reason, but here Daisy is showing a contrast between what she wants to do and what she actually can do.

    27 are

    Why it's right: We need the auxiliary verb "are" to make the present continuous tense with the plural word "grandparents" (they are travelling).

    Why not 'is': We only use "is" for one singular person (like he, she, or it), but grandparents is a plural word meaning two people.

    28 the

    Why it's right: We use the definite article "the" because almost every house only has one specific living room, so Chloe knows exactly which room Daisy means.

    Why not 'a': We don't use "a" because Daisy's house doesn't have lots of different living rooms to choose from.

    29 on

    Why it's right: We always use the preposition "on" when we talk about specific days of the week, like Saturday.

    Why not 'in': We use "in" for months and years (like "in May"), but never for days of the week.

    30 to

    Why it's right: When we have two action words together like "want" and "go", we must use the infinitive marker "to" in the middle to connect them.

    Why not 'and': We use "and" to add an extra, separate activity, but "want to" is a fixed grammar rule you must follow to explain what you wish to do.

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