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A2 Key for Schools study materials
A2 Key for Schools study resources

A2 Key for Schools practice questions

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Question 1Reading and Writing

Read the sentence: "My brother ___ football every Saturday morning." Choose the best word for the gap.

  1. playing
  2. play
  3. plays Correct answer.
  4. is play

Explanation

With a third-person singular subject like 'my brother', the present simple verb takes -s, so 'plays' is the correct form. The sentence describes a regular habit, which is exactly when the present simple is used.

Question 2Reading and Writing

A sign in a school library says: "Please return all books to the shelf after reading." What must students do?

  1. Put books back on the shelf when they finish. Correct answer.
  2. Buy new books for the library.
  3. Ask a teacher before they read.
  4. Take books home and keep them.

Explanation

The sign asks readers to return books to the shelf after reading, which means putting them back where they belong. The word 'return' plus 'after reading' shows this is about tidying up, not borrowing or buying.

Question 3Reading and Writing

Choose the sentence that is written correctly.

  1. She doesn't likes milk.
  2. She don't like milk.
  3. She doesn't like milk. Correct answer.
  4. She not like milk.

Explanation

In the present simple negative, we use 'doesn't' with he, she or it, and the main verb stays in its base form, so 'She doesn't like milk' is correct. The auxiliary carries the -s, which is why the main verb must not have one.

Question 4Reading and Writing

Read the email: "Hi Sam, I can't come to the cinema on Friday. My grandmother is visiting us. Can we go on Saturday instead? Anna" Why can't Anna go on Friday?

  1. She has to study for a test.
  2. The cinema is closed.
  3. Her grandmother is visiting. Correct answer.
  4. She does not like films.

Explanation

Anna says her grandmother is visiting, and that is the reason she gives for not going to the cinema. The other details are not mentioned anywhere in the short email.

Question 5Reading and Writing

Complete the sentence: "There ___ a lot of students in the playground today."

  1. has
  2. was
  3. is
  4. are Correct answer.

Explanation

With 'there' and a plural noun ('a lot of students'), we use 'are' in the present tense. The phrase 'a lot of' does not change the fact that the noun after it is plural.

Question 6Reading and Writing

Which word correctly completes the sentence? "I have lived here ___ 2019."

  1. since Correct answer.
  2. from
  3. during
  4. for

Explanation

'Since' is used with a point in time such as a year or a day, and '2019' is a point in time. 'For' would need a length of time, like 'for five years'.

Question 7Reading and Writing

Read the notice: "School trip to the science museum - Tuesday 14 May. Meet at the front gate at 8:30. Bring a packed lunch and wear comfortable shoes." What should students bring?

  1. Their science books
  2. A warm coat
  3. Some money for the museum
  4. A packed lunch Correct answer.

Explanation

The notice directly tells students to bring a packed lunch, and it also mentions comfortable shoes. Any other item is not listed in the notice.

Question 8Reading and Writing

Choose the correct question: "___ you like to come to my party?"

  1. Are
  2. Will
  3. Do
  4. Would Correct answer.

Explanation

'Would you like to...?' is the standard polite way to invite someone. The other auxiliaries do not combine with 'like to come' in this invitation pattern.

Question 9Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Tom's family moved to a new town last month. At first, Tom felt nervous because he knew nobody at his new school. After two weeks, he joined the school chess club and made three good friends." How did Tom feel at first?

  1. Nervous about the new school Correct answer.
  2. Excited about the chess club
  3. Angry with his family
  4. Bored during lessons

Explanation

The text says Tom felt nervous at first because he knew nobody at his new school. His feelings changed only after he joined the chess club two weeks later.

Question 10Reading and Writing

Read the sentence: "If it rains tomorrow, we ___ the match." Choose the best ending.

  1. would cancel
  2. are cancel
  3. will cancel Correct answer.
  4. cancelled

Explanation

This is a first conditional: 'If' plus present simple in the if-clause, then 'will' plus base verb in the main clause. It talks about a real future possibility, so 'will cancel' fits.

Question 11Reading and Writing

Read the text: "The new school café opens next Monday. It will sell sandwiches, fruit and hot drinks. Students can pay with cash or with their school card. In the first week, all drinks cost only one pound." Which sentence is true?

  1. The café sells only hot food.
  2. Students can only pay with cash.
  3. The café is already open.
  4. Drinks are cheaper in the first week. Correct answer.

Explanation

The text says that in the first week all drinks cost only one pound, so drinks are cheaper then. The café opens next Monday, so it is not open yet.

Question 12Reading and Writing

Choose the best word: "My sister is very ___ . She always helps other people."

  1. lazy
  2. quiet
  3. noisy
  4. kind Correct answer.

Explanation

The second sentence explains the meaning: helping other people shows that someone is kind. The other adjectives describe behaviour that does not match helping others.

Question 13Reading and Writing

Read the message: "Jack, I left your history book in the classroom. Sorry! I'll bring it to you at lunchtime. - Mia" What will Mia do at lunchtime?

  1. Meet Jack in the library.
  2. Give Jack his book back. Correct answer.
  3. Buy a new history book.
  4. Borrow Jack's book.

Explanation

Mia says she left Jack's book in the classroom and will bring it to him at lunchtime, so she plans to return it. Nothing in the message mentions buying or borrowing.

Question 14Reading and Writing

Choose the correct past simple sentence.

  1. I was go to the park yesterday.
  2. I go to the park yesterday.
  3. I goed to the park yesterday.
  4. I went to the park yesterday. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Go' is an irregular verb, and its past simple form is 'went'. The time word 'yesterday' shows that a past tense is needed.

Question 15Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Our class is collecting old newspapers to make art for the school show. Please bring newspapers to Room 12 before Friday. We also need empty plastic bottles, but please wash them first." What must students do with the plastic bottles?

  1. Wash them before bringing them. Correct answer.
  2. Put them in Room 12 after Friday.
  3. Fill them with water.
  4. Give them to the art teacher.

Explanation

The text asks for empty plastic bottles and says to wash them first, so washing is the required action. Newspapers go to Room 12 before Friday, but that instruction is about newspapers.

Question 16Reading and Writing

Choose the best word: "You ___ wear a helmet when you ride a bike. It's the law."

  1. could
  2. must Correct answer.
  3. might
  4. would

Explanation

'Must' expresses a strong obligation, and the sentence says it is the law, so this is the right modal. The other modals show possibility or past habit, not obligation.

Question 17Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Anna wanted to buy a new bike, but it cost too much. She decided to do jobs for her neighbours to earn money. After three months, she had enough money and bought the bike." Why did Anna do jobs for her neighbours?

  1. To help them for free
  2. To meet new people
  3. To keep fit in the holidays
  4. To earn money for a bike Correct answer.

Explanation

The text says Anna did jobs for her neighbours to earn money for the bike she wanted. Her goal was saving enough money to buy it.

Question 18Reading and Writing

Complete the sentence: "This is the boy ___ won the running race."

  1. what
  2. which
  3. who Correct answer.
  4. whose

Explanation

'Who' is the relative pronoun for people when it is the subject of the relative clause. 'The boy' is a person, and the clause describes him.

Question 19Reading and Writing

Read the notice: "Lost: a blue and white school bag. It has a red key ring on the zip. If you find it, please take it to the school office. Thank you - Lucy, Class 8B" What does the bag look like?

  1. Black with a white key ring
  2. Red with a blue key ring
  3. White with a blue zip only
  4. Blue and white with a red key ring Correct answer.

Explanation

The notice describes the bag as blue and white with a red key ring on the zip. Colours and details must match the text exactly.

Question 20Reading and Writing

Read the text: "When Maria moved to London, she found the weather cold and rainy. But she loved the parks and the museums. She joined a photography club and soon felt at home." What helped Maria feel at home?

  1. Studying in the library
  2. Visiting her family
  3. Joining a photography club Correct answer.
  4. The cold weather

Explanation

The text says that after joining a photography club, Maria soon felt at home. The weather was something she disliked, not something that helped her.

Question 21Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Our school is starting a 'walk to school' week. On Monday and Tuesday, teachers will wait at the park gate at 8:00 and walk with students. Students who walk every day will get a small prize on Friday." What happens on Monday and Tuesday?

  1. Students come to school by bus.
  2. Students get their prizes.
  3. The school closes early.
  4. Teachers walk with students from the park gate. Correct answer.

Explanation

The text says teachers will wait at the park gate on Monday and Tuesday and walk with students. Prizes are given on Friday, not at the start of the week.

Question 22Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Ben checked the time on his phone and ran to the bus stop. The bus was already there, but the doors were closing. He knocked on the glass, and the driver opened the door for him." How did Ben catch the bus?

  1. He ran to the next stop.
  2. The driver opened the door for him. Correct answer.
  3. A friend stopped the bus.
  4. He waited for the next bus.

Explanation

The text says Ben knocked on the glass and the driver opened the door, which is how he got on. No other person or later bus is involved in the story.

Question 23Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Although the museum is free, visitors must book a time online before they come. Groups of more than ten people should phone the museum instead." What should a group of twelve students do?

  1. Book online like other visitors.
  2. Come without booking.
  3. Phone the museum to arrange the visit. Correct answer.
  4. Pay at the door.

Explanation

The text says groups of more than ten should phone the museum instead of booking online. Twelve is more than ten, so the phone rule applies to this group.

Question 24Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Emma had planned to study all weekend, but on Saturday her cousins arrived. She spent the day playing games with them. On Sunday evening, she realised she had not opened her books." What is the main idea of the text?

  1. Emma finished all her homework.
  2. Emma does not like her cousins.
  3. Emma always studies at the weekend.
  4. Emma's plans changed because of a family visit. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage contrasts Emma's plan to study with what actually happened when her cousins visited. The main idea is that her plans changed.

Question 25Reading and Writing

Read the text: "The library will close for repairs from 3 to 10 June. Books borrowed before the closure can be returned after 10 June without a fine. The drop box outside the door will stay open every day." What can users do during the closure?

  1. Borrow new books inside the library.
  2. Pay a fine for late books.
  3. Study inside the library.
  4. Return books using the outside drop box. Correct answer.

Explanation

The text says the drop box outside the door stays open every day, so books can be returned during the closure. Books returned after 10 June have no fine.

Question 26Reading and Writing

Read the email: "Hi Sam, The football club will meet on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the school gym, not on the field. Please bring indoor shoes. - Coach" What does the email tell students to bring?

  1. Indoor shoes Correct answer.
  2. A football
  3. A water bottle
  4. A club form

Explanation

In A2 Key reading tasks, you scan a short message for the detail it asks about. The coach writes "Please bring indoor shoes", so shoes are the only item requested. The other items appear nowhere in the message.

Question 27Reading and Writing

Read the note: "Lucy, I can't meet you at the library at 3. My dentist appointment is at that time. Can we meet at 4.30 instead? - Rachel" What is Rachel's problem?

  1. She has to study for a test.
  2. She cannot find the library.
  3. She has forgotten her library card.
  4. She has a dentist appointment at 3. Correct answer.

Explanation

The note gives a reason for changing the time: Rachel's dentist appointment is at 3. The question asks about her problem, so the appointment is the answer. The other options are never mentioned in the note.

Question 28Reading and Writing

Read the sign: "Swimming pool - children under 8 must swim with an adult." Which sentence is true?

  1. Children under 8 cannot use the pool.
  2. Adults cannot swim without a child.
  3. A seven-year-old must swim with an adult. Correct answer.
  4. All children must swim with an adult.

Explanation

The sign sets a rule only for children under eight, who need an adult with them. A seven-year-old is under eight, so the rule applies to that child. The sign does not stop young children from swimming.

Question 29Reading and Writing

Read the advertisement: "Bike for sale. Two years old, good condition. £60. Call Dan after 5 p.m." Why should you call after 5 p.m.?

  1. Because Dan is at work before 5
  2. Because the bike is cheaper then
  3. Because Dan is only free to answer then Correct answer.
  4. Because the shop closes at 5

Explanation

The advert tells buyers to phone "after 5 p.m.", which means Dan is available to take calls from that time. The text gives no reason about price or a shop. The answer must come only from what the advert says.

Question 30Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Our class visit to the castle is on Friday. We will travel by coach and leave school at 8.15. Wear comfortable shoes because we will walk a lot." What should students wear?

  1. A warm coat
  2. A hat
  3. School uniform
  4. Comfortable shoes Correct answer.

Explanation

The text gives one instruction about clothes: wear comfortable shoes because of all the walking. The question asks what students should wear, so this is the matching detail. Uniform, coats and hats are not mentioned.

Question 31Reading and Writing

Read the text: "The school show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets cost £3 for students and £5 for parents. Please buy tickets before Friday." A student and two parents want to go. How much will they pay?

  1. £8
  2. £13 Correct answer.
  3. £11
  4. £10

Explanation

This task needs a simple calculation from two prices in the text. One student pays £3 and each parent pays £5, so 3 + 5 + 5 = £13. Adding only one parent's ticket gives the wrong total.

Question 32Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Carlos joined the school chess club in September. At first he lost every game, but he practised at home every evening. By December he was the best player in his year." What helped Carlos improve?

  1. Reading a chess book
  2. A new chess teacher
  3. Playing against older students
  4. Practising at home every evening Correct answer.

Explanation

The text shows a change from losing to winning and gives one cause: he practised at home every evening. The question asks what helped him improve, so this detail is the answer. No teacher, older players or book is named.

Question 33Reading and Writing

Read the text: "The art room is open at lunchtime on Mondays and Thursdays. Students must clean their tables before they leave." What must students do before leaving the art room?

  1. Close the windows
  2. Write their names in a book
  3. Turn off the lights
  4. Clean their tables Correct answer.

Explanation

The text gives one rule for students: clean your tables before you leave. The question asks what students must do, so this is the matching instruction. The other actions are not in the text.

Question 34Reading and Writing

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "We had to walk home ___ the bus was late."

  1. or
  2. but
  3. because Correct answer.
  4. so

Explanation

The second part of the sentence gives the reason for walking home, and "because" introduces a reason. "So" would show a result, which reverses the meaning. The link word must show cause here.

Question 35Reading and Writing

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "There isn't ___ milk left in the fridge, so we need to buy some."

  1. much Correct answer.
  2. several
  3. a few
  4. many

Explanation

Milk is an uncountable noun, and in negatives uncountable nouns take "much". "Many", "a few" and "several" are used with countable plural nouns. Only "much" fits the grammar of this sentence.

Question 36Reading and Writing

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "My brother is ___ than me, but I am taller."

  1. old
  2. oldest
  3. the oldest
  4. older Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence compares two people and uses "than", so the comparative form "older" is needed. Short adjectives form the comparative with -er. The superlative forms are used for three or more things.

Question 37Reading and Writing

Choose the best sentence about a future plan.

  1. I am visit my grandparents next weekend.
  2. I'm going to visit my grandparents next weekend. Correct answer.
  3. I visited my grandparents next weekend.
  4. I visit my grandparents next weekend.

Explanation

For a plan or intention about the future, English uses "be going to" plus the base verb. The time phrase "next weekend" shows the future. The other sentences use the wrong tense or an impossible verb form.

Question 38Reading and Writing

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "You look tired. You ___ go to bed early tonight."

  1. shouldn't
  2. should Correct answer.
  3. mustn't
  4. can't

Explanation

The speaker is giving advice, and "should" is the modal used for advice. The context (looking tired) supports a suggestion to sleep early. The negative modals would give the opposite advice.

Question 39Reading and Writing

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "We arrived ___ the cinema ten minutes before the film started."

  1. to
  2. in
  3. at Correct answer.
  4. on

Explanation

With places such as a cinema, school or station, the preposition "at" is used to mean the point or building. "In" suggests being inside a space, and "on" is used for surfaces. "Arrive" is followed by "at" or "in", not "to".

Question 40Reading and Writing

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "She has ___ her homework, so she can go out now."

  1. finishes
  2. finishing
  3. finish
  4. finished Correct answer.

Explanation

After "has" in the present perfect, the past participle is needed, and "finished" is the participle of "finish". The present perfect links the completed action to the present result. The other forms do not follow "has".

Question 41Reading and Writing

Choose the best word: "The train was very ___ , so we had to stand for the whole journey."

  1. empty
  2. crowded Correct answer.
  3. quiet
  4. slow

Explanation

The second part says they had to stand, which happens when a train is full of people. "Crowded" means full of people, so it explains the result. The other adjectives describe a train where standing would not be necessary.

Question 42Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Sofia's class made a video about saving water. They showed it to younger students and asked them to turn off taps. Next term they want to make a video about recycling." What will Sofia's class probably do next term?

  1. Visit a recycling centre
  2. Show the water video again
  3. Write a book about water
  4. Make a video about recycling Correct answer.

Explanation

The last sentence states their plan for next term: a video about recycling. "Probably" questions ask you to use the information given, and here the plan is stated directly. The other actions are not mentioned as plans.

Question 43Reading and Writing

Read the text: "The sports day will be on the field if the weather is dry. If it rains, we will use the school hall instead. Parents can watch from the seats near the door." Where will sports day happen if it rains?

  1. In the school hall Correct answer.
  2. In the classroom
  3. In the park
  4. On the field

Explanation

The text gives two conditions: the field for dry weather and the hall for rain. The question asks about rain, so the hall is the answer. Reading conditional sentences carefully is the key skill here.

Question 44Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Max wanted to buy a present for his mother, but he had only £5. He made her a photo album with pictures of the family instead. She said it was the best present she had ever had." Why did Max make a photo album?

  1. He enjoyed making things.
  2. He did not have enough money. Correct answer.
  3. His mother asked for one.
  4. He could not find a shop.

Explanation

The text contrasts the present he wanted to buy with his small budget of £5, then says he made something "instead". This shows the album was a result of not having enough money. The other reasons are not in the text.

Question 45Reading and Writing

Read the text: "The new sports centre opens on 1 March. In the first week, entry is free for students with a school card. After that, a student ticket costs £2." A student with a school card visits on 4 March. What will happen?

  1. The student will be refused entry.
  2. The student will pay £2.
  3. The student will enter for free. Correct answer.
  4. The student will pay £1.

Explanation

The centre opens on 1 March, so 4 March falls in the first week. During that week entry is free for students with a school card. The £2 price applies only after the first week.

Question 46Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Nina checked the bus timetable and saw that the last bus left at 9 p.m. She decided to leave the party at 8.30 so she would not miss it." Why did Nina leave the party early?

  1. She had to catch the last bus home. Correct answer.
  2. She had school the next morning.
  3. Her friend asked her to leave.
  4. She was not enjoying the party.

Explanation

The text connects her early departure with the last bus at 9 p.m. and her wish not to miss it. This makes catching the bus the reason. Any other reason would need support from the text, which is not there.

Question 47Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Although the concert tickets were expensive, Kim bought two because her sister's birthday was the same week. She wanted to surprise her." What do we learn about Kim?

  1. She bought the tickets for her sister's birthday. Correct answer.
  2. She did not like the concert.
  3. She bought only one ticket.
  4. She thought the tickets were cheap.

Explanation

The text says she bought two tickets because her sister's birthday was that week and she wanted to surprise her. This links the purchase to the birthday. "Although" shows the price was high, not low.

Question 48Reading and Writing

Read the text: "The museum is free on Sundays, but you must leave your bag in a locker. Lockers cost £1, and you get the coin back when you return the key." What happens when you return the locker key?

  1. You get your £1 back. Correct answer.
  2. You keep the key.
  3. You must leave the museum.
  4. You pay another £1.

Explanation

The text says you get the coin back when you return the key, so the £1 is returned. This detail is easy to miss, but it decides the answer. The other options contradict the text.

Question 49Reading and Writing

Read the text: "Our school is collecting books for a children's hospital. Please bring books in good condition to Room 12 by 20 June. We cannot accept magazines or old school books." Which item can you bring?

  1. A magazine from last year
  2. An old school textbook
  3. A new storybook Correct answer.
  4. A book with torn pages

Explanation

The text asks for books in good condition and refuses magazines and old school books. A new storybook is a book in good condition, so it is accepted. Each wrong option matches one of the things the notice refuses.

Question 50Reading and Writing

Read the text: "When the fire alarm rings, students must leave their bags in the classroom and walk quickly to the playground. Teachers will check that everyone is there." What must students do with their bags?

  1. Give them to a teacher
  2. Take them outside the school
  3. Carry them to the playground
  4. Leave them in the classroom Correct answer.

Explanation

The instruction is clear: leave bags in the classroom and go to the playground. The question asks only about bags, so this detail is the answer. Teachers check people, not bags.