A2 Key for Schools flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Part 1 reading task

Six short texts such as signs, notices, messages, or emails, each followed by a three-option multiple-choice question asking what the text means or where it would appear.

Part 2 matching task

Three short texts on one topic followed by seven questions; each question is matched to text A, B, or C, and a text may answer more than one question.

Part 3 multiple choice

One longer text followed by five four-option multiple-choice questions; the questions follow the order of the text and test detail, inference, and opinion.

Part 4 grammar gaps

A short text with six gaps, each answered by choosing one word from three options; the tested words are grammar words such as prepositions, pronouns, and verb forms.

Part 5 open gaps

A short text with six gaps where the candidate writes exactly one word per gap; the answer is usually a grammar word or a very common word.

Part 6 short email

A writing task of about 25 words: an email or message that must cover three given notes, with a greeting and a closing, marked for content and language.

Part 7 picture story

A writing task of about 35 words based on three pictures; the story must show the sequence of events and link them with time markers.

Spelling in reading parts

In Parts 1–5, a word that is correct but misspelt scores zero; answers written in capital letters are accepted if the spelling is exact.

Part 6 note coverage

The three notes in the Part 6 task are prompts, not sentences to copy; each note needs one clear sentence, and missing a note loses content marks.

Part 1 listening pictures

Five short recordings, each with a three-picture multiple-choice question; the pictures differ in one detail such as time, place, or object.

Part 2 listening gap-fill

One longer recording with five gaps to fill; the candidate writes a word, number, or short phrase, and spelling of common words must be correct.

Part 3 listening reasons

Five short dialogues, each with a three-option multiple-choice question about the reason, feeling, or opinion expressed by the speaker.

Part 4 listening matching

Five questions matched to eight options; five options are used and three are distractors, and the order of options does not follow the recording.

Part 5 listening dialogue

One longer dialogue with five gaps to complete; answers are often names, days, times, or prices, and names may be spelled out letter by letter.

Listening self-correction

A speaker may mention one detail and then correct it with 'actually' or 'no, sorry'; the corrected information is the answer, not the first detail heard.

Listening negation distractors

An option may be ruled out by a negative statement such as 'I don't want the red one', even though the word is heard in the recording.

Two listenings rule

Each recording is heard twice; write an answer during the first listening and use the second listening to confirm or correct it.

Numbers in listening

Times, prices, and quantities are frequently tested; write digits where the answer is a number, and listen for corrections to the first number heard.

Part 4 unused options

In the Part 4 matching task, eight options are given for five questions; three options are never used, so do not force a match.

Speaking test format

The test lasts 8–10 minutes and is taken with two candidates and two examiners; one examiner speaks with the candidates and one only listens and scores.

Speaking Part 1 interview

An interview of about 3–4 minutes in which the examiner asks each candidate about daily life, school, hobbies, and past or future plans.

Collaborative picture task

Part 2 phase 1: candidates look at a picture prompt and talk to each other for about 2 minutes, describing, suggesting, and asking questions.

Phase 2 discussion questions

After the picture task, the examiner asks each candidate questions such as 'Do you like...?' or 'What do you think...?'; opinions need reasons.

Interactive communication mark

A scored area of the speaking test: ask your partner questions, respond to what they say, and avoid long silences or one-word answers.

Speaking grammar and vocabulary

Assessment covers grammar and vocabulary, pronunciation, and interactive communication; marks are for communicating meaning, not for perfect accuracy.

Asking for repetition

If you do not understand a question in the speaking test, you may ask the examiner to repeat it; this is allowed and does not lose marks.

Speaking filler phrases

Phrases such as 'Well', 'Let me think', and 'I'm not sure' keep you speaking while you think; silence loses interactive communication marks.

Opinion with reason pattern

Phase 2 questions often ask for preferences; the pattern 'I prefer X because...' answers both the choice and the reason in one response.

Reading and Writing timing

The paper lasts 70 minutes; spend about 30 minutes on Parts 1–5 and about 40 minutes on Parts 6–7, including checking spelling.

Writing word limits

Part 6 requires about 25 words and Part 7 about 35 words; going far over the limit risks losing marks for relevance to the task.

Part 3 text order

In the longer reading text, the five questions follow the order of the text, so the answer to question 2 appears after the answer to question 1.

Listening paper structure

The paper lasts about 30 minutes and has five parts with 25 questions; Parts 1 and 3 are multiple choice, Parts 2 and 5 are gap-fill, and Part 4 is matching.