A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 5 Test – Social Graces: Apologies & Polite Declines 6
Reading » A2 Reading Tests » A2 Key for Schools (KET) Reading & Writing Part 5 Test – Social Graces: Apologies & Polite Declines
Test 1
Questions 25-30
For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.
From: Ethan
To: Liam
Hi Liam,
I am writing this message to you today. I am sending it (25) ……………… I am really sorry. I had (26) ……………… very difficult day yesterday, but I feel so bad about what I said. I (27) ……………… angry about my maths exam, but I know it was wrong to speak like that. You are (28) ……………… best friend and I do not want to lose you. Are you free to meet me at (29) ……………… park tomorrow afternoon? I would like to buy you an ice cream. Please send (30) ……………… a message later if you can come.
Ethan
Answer Key & Explanations
25 because
– Why it's right: We use the conjunction 'because' to give a reason for doing something. Ethan is explaining the reason why he is sending the message.
– Why not 'so': We use 'so' to talk about a result, not to introduce the reason for an action.
26 a
– Why it's right: We use the indefinite article 'a' when we talk about a general singular noun for the first time, like 'a difficult day'.
– Why not 'the': We use 'the' when talking about one specific day that both people already know about, but here Ethan is just describing the kind of day he had.
27 was
– Why it's right: We need the past tense form of the verb 'to be' ('was') because Ethan is talking about how he felt 'yesterday'. We use 'was' because the subject is 'I'.
– Why not 'am': 'Am' is used for the present tense, but this sentence describes feelings that happened in the past.
28 my
– Why it's right: Ethan is talking about a friend who belongs to him, so we need the possessive adjective 'my' before the noun phrase 'best friend'.
– Why not 'me': 'Me' is an object pronoun, but here we need a possessive word to show relationship or ownership.
29 the
– Why it's right: We use the definite article 'the' when both people already know which specific place they are talking about (e.g., 'the park' in their neighbourhood).
– Why not 'a': We use 'a' for any general park, but Ethan is talking about a specific location they both know.
30 me
– Why it's right: Ethan wants Liam to reply to him, so we need the object pronoun 'me' to receive the action of the verb 'send'.
– Why not 'I': 'I' is a subject pronoun used at the beginning of a sentence to perform an action, but here we need an object pronoun.
Test 2
Questions 25-30
For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.
From: Charlotte
To: Ben
Hi Ben,
Thanks for asking me to go cycling this weekend. I would really love to come, (25) ……………… I can't do that. My bicycle has a flat tire and I don't know how to fix (26) ……………… by myself. My dad is going to help me repair it (27) ……………… Sunday afternoon. (28) ……………… you free to do something else with me instead? We could walk to the park and play basketball (29) ……………… my younger brother. Please send a quick message and let (30) ……………… know.
See you soon,
Charlotte
Answer Key & Explanations
25 but
– Why it's right: We use but to join two contrasting ideas together. Charlotte wants to go cycling, but she has a problem and cannot go.
– Why not 'because': Using because would mean the reason she wants to come is that she can't do it, which does not make sense.
26 it
– Why it's right: We use the pronoun it to talk about a singular object or thing that we just mentioned, like the bicycle.
– Why not 'them': We are talking about one bicycle, so we must use the singular pronoun it, not the plural them.
27 on
– Why it's right: We always use the preposition on before days of the week, like Sunday.
– Why not 'in': We use in for longer periods of time like months or years, but never for specific days.
28 Are
– Why it's right: We use the auxiliary verb Are to start a question with the pronoun you and the adjective free.
– Why not 'Do': We do not use Do before an adjective like free; do is used with action verbs.
29 with
– Why it's right: When we do a fun activity or play a sport together alongside another person, we use the preposition with.
– Why not 'to': We do not say play to my brother; we always play a sport with someone.
30 me
– Why it's right: Charlotte is asking her friend to reply to her, so she uses the object pronoun me to complete the common phrase let me know.
– Why not 'I': We cannot use the subject pronoun I as an object after the verb let.
Test 3
Questions 25-30
For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.
From: Mason
To: Mum
Hi Mum,
I am really sorry about what happened this afternoon. I (25) ……………… watching a funny film in the living room and I dropped my glass of orange juice.
A lot (26) ……………… it went on our new sofa! I tried to clean the sofa with a wet towel, (27) ……………… there is still a very big mark on it.
Can you tell me (28) ……………… I need to do now? I promise to pay (29) ……………… a special cleaner with my pocket money.
See you when you get home (30) ……………… work.
Mason
Answer Key & Explanations
25 was
– Why it's right: We need the past tense helping verb "was" because Mason is talking about an action that was happening earlier in the day.
– Why not 'am': We cannot use the present tense "am" because the event of watching the film and dropping the juice is already in the past.
26 of
– Why it's right: We always use the preposition "of" to complete the very common quantifier phrase "a lot of".
– Why not 'for': While "for" is a common preposition, it is grammatically incorrect to place it inside this fixed phrase.
27 but
– Why it's right: We use the conjunction "but" to connect two contrasting or surprising ideas: he tried to clean it, but it didn't work.
– Why not 'so': We use "so" to introduce a result, and having a big mark is not the logical result of cleaning the sofa.
28 what
– Why it's right: We use the question word "what" to ask for advice about an action or a thing.
– Why not 'how': You can say "how to clean it," but you must use "what" with the verb phrase "need to do."
29 for
– Why it's right: When we spend money to buy an item or a service, the correct verb phrase is always "pay for".
– Why not 'to': You pay money "to" a person (like a shop assistant), but you pay "for" objects (like a special cleaner).
30 from
– Why it's right: We use the preposition "from" to show the place where someone starts their journey (traveling from work to home).
– Why not 'at': You can be "at work," but when you are moving away to go home, you must use "from".