Reading and Writing - A2 Key for Schools
What the paper contains
The A2 Key for Schools Reading and Writing paper lasts 1 hour and has 7 parts, 32 questions. Parts 1–5 test reading and language use; Parts 6–7 test writing. It carries 50% of the total marks. Texts are short and school/family oriented: signs, notices, messages, emails and simple articles.
Reading rules
- Part 1 (6 questions): choose A, B or C for the meaning of a short sign or message. Ask: who wrote it, where would I see it, what must I do?
- Part 2 (7 questions): match questions to short texts. The answer is usually a paraphrase, not the same word.
- Part 3 (5 questions): read a longer text. Questions follow the order of the text; reject options that are true in general but not stated.
- Part 4 (6 questions): multiple-choice cloze. It tests collocation, fixed phrases and grammar, e.g. depend on, good at.
- Part 5 (6 questions): open cloze. Write one word per gap; often a preposition, article, pronoun, auxiliary or part of a common phrase.
Writing rules
- Part 6: write a short message or email of about 25 words. Include all three content points in the prompt.
- Part 7: write a story of about 35 words based on three pictures. Use past tenses and link the pictures into one clear narrative.
Worked example
Notice: SCHOOL LIBRARY - Books must be returned before the end of term. Question: What does the notice say? A You can borrow books during the holiday. B You have to give books back before term ends. C The library closes at the end of term. Answer: B. Must be returned expresses obligation, and before the end of term means before term ends. A is not mentioned; C confuses end of term with the library closing.
Traps that cost marks
- Choosing an option because it repeats a word from the text; the correct answer often uses different words.
- In Part 5, writing two words when the gap allows only one.
- In Part 6, missing a content point or writing far fewer than 25 words.
- In Part 7, describing each picture separately instead of telling one connected story.
- In Part 3, using personal knowledge instead of what the text says.