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Cambridge A2 Key (KET) study materials
Cambridge A2 Key (KET) study resources

Cambridge A2 Key (KET) practice questions

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Question 1Reading and Writing

My brother ___ football every Saturday.

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

Explanation

The subject 'My brother' is third person singular, so the present simple verb takes -s: 'plays'. 'Every Saturday' shows a regular habit, which calls for the present simple.

Question 2Reading and Writing

There are two ___ in the garden.

  1. childs
  2. childrens
  3. children Correct answer.
  4. child

Explanation

'Child' has an irregular plural 'children'. We use it after 'two' to talk about more than one child.

Question 3Reading and Writing

There is ___ old church near my house.

  1. an Correct answer.
  2. some
  3. a
  4. the

Explanation

We use 'an' before a singular countable noun that begins with a vowel sound, and 'old' begins with a vowel sound. The sentence introduces the church for the first time, so 'the' is not needed.

Question 4Reading and Writing

The film starts ___ 7 o'clock.

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

Explanation

We use 'at' with clock times: at 7 o'clock. 'In' is used with months or years, and 'on' with days and dates.

Question 5Reading and Writing

This book is ___ than that one.

  1. more cheap
  2. cheap
  3. cheaper Correct answer.
  4. cheapest

Explanation

Short adjectives form the comparative with -er: cheap becomes cheaper. We use 'than' after a comparative.

Question 6Reading and Writing

My mother is a teacher. ___ name is Sarah.

  1. Her Correct answer.
  2. She
  3. Hers
  4. His

Explanation

Possessive adjectives show who owns something: 'Her name' means the name of my mother. 'She' is a subject pronoun and cannot come before a noun.

Question 7Reading and Writing

___ do you go to the gym? - Three times a week.

  1. How often Correct answer.
  2. How long
  3. Where
  4. What

Explanation

'How often' asks about frequency, and the answer 'Three times a week' gives a frequency. 'How long' asks about duration, and 'Where' asks about place.

Question 8Reading and Writing

My little sister ___ swim, but she can ride a bike.

  1. can't Correct answer.
  2. couldn't
  3. could
  4. can

Explanation

The word 'but' introduces a contrast: she can ride a bike, so the first part must be negative. 'Can't' is the present negative form of 'can'.

Question 9Reading and Writing

Yesterday I ___ my grandmother in the afternoon.

  1. have visited
  2. visiting
  3. visit
  4. visited Correct answer.

Explanation

'Yesterday' refers to finished past time, so we use the past simple: visited. The regular past simple is formed by adding -ed to the verb.

Question 10Reading and Writing

Please be quiet. The baby ___.

  1. has slept
  2. slept
  3. sleeps
  4. is sleeping Correct answer.

Explanation

The instruction 'Please be quiet' shows an action happening right now, so we use the present continuous: is sleeping. The form is be + -ing.

Question 11Reading and Writing

My brother enjoys ___ computer games.

  1. play
  2. playing Correct answer.
  3. to play
  4. played

Explanation

The verb 'enjoy' is followed by the -ing form: enjoy playing. Many verbs of liking and disliking take an -ing form.

Question 12Reading and Writing

She has ___ been to London. This is her first time.

  1. never Correct answer.
  2. already
  3. yet
  4. ever

Explanation

'This is her first time' means she has not been to London before, so 'never' is correct. 'Never' goes between 'has' and the past participle.

Question 13Reading and Writing

The cat is hiding ___ the table.

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

Explanation

'Under' means below something, which fits a cat hiding beneath a table. The other prepositions describe different positions.

Question 14Reading and Writing

There isn't ___ milk left in the fridge.

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

Explanation

'Milk' is an uncountable noun, so we use 'much' in negatives and questions. 'Many', 'a few' and 'several' are used with countable plural nouns.

Question 15Reading and Writing

The woman ___ lives next door is a doctor.

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

Explanation

We use 'who' to refer to a person: the woman who lives next door. 'Which' is for things, and 'where' is for places.

Question 16Reading and Writing

I ___ go to the cinema - maybe once a year.

  1. hardly ever Correct answer.
  2. usually
  3. always
  4. often

Explanation

'Maybe once a year' shows a very low frequency, so 'hardly ever' fits. Adverbs of frequency go before the main verb.

Question 17Reading and Writing

Message: Hi Sam, I can't meet you at 5 p.m. today. Can we meet at 6 p.m. instead? - Alex What does Alex want to change?

  1. the time they meet Correct answer.
  2. the activity they do
  3. the day they meet
  4. the place they meet

Explanation

Alex says 'I can't meet you at 5 p.m. today' and suggests '6 p.m. instead'. Only the time is changed; the day and activity stay the same.

Question 18Reading and Writing

Notice: LIBRARY - Please return books to the desk before 5 p.m. What must you do with library books?

  1. Take them home
  2. Read them in the library
  3. Give them back at the desk Correct answer.
  4. Buy them before 5 p.m.

Explanation

The notice asks people to 'return books to the desk', which means give them back there. 'Return' does not mean buy or read in the library.

Question 19Reading and Writing

Choose the correct sentence.

  1. She always is late for class.
  2. Always she is late for class.
  3. She is late always for class.
  4. She is always late for class. Correct answer.

Explanation

The adverb 'always' comes after the verb 'be': She is always late. It goes before other main verbs but after 'be'.

Question 20Reading and Writing

You want to invite your friend to your birthday party. What do you say?

  1. Would you like to come to my party? Correct answer.
  2. You must come to my party.
  3. I went to a party yesterday.
  4. Do you like birthday parties?

Explanation

'Would you like to come...?' is a polite invitation. It offers the other person a choice and is suitable for inviting a friend.

Question 21Reading and Writing

Tom isn't here. He ___ to the shop.

  1. goes
  2. has gone Correct answer.
  3. went
  4. has been

Explanation

'Has gone to' means Tom went to the shop and is still there, which explains why he isn't here. 'Has been to' means he visited and has returned.

Question 22Reading and Writing

If it ___ tomorrow, we will stay at home.

  1. is raining
  2. rained
  3. will rain
  4. rains Correct answer.

Explanation

In first conditional sentences, the if-clause uses the present simple and the main clause uses 'will'. So 'If it rains, we will stay...' is correct.

Question 23Reading and Writing

Anna wanted to buy a bike. ___, she didn't have enough money.

  1. For example
  2. Because
  3. So
  4. However Correct answer.

Explanation

'However' introduces a contrast between wanting to buy a bike and not having enough money. It is followed by a comma.

Question 24Reading and Writing

This box is ___ heavy for me to carry.

  1. very
  2. too Correct answer.
  3. enough
  4. much

Explanation

'Too' before an adjective means 'more than is needed': too heavy to carry. The structure is 'too + adjective + to + verb'.

Question 25Reading and Writing

Email: Hi Chris, Thanks for inviting me to the football match on Saturday. I'd love to come, but I have to work until 3 p.m. The match starts at 2 p.m. Is it OK if I arrive late? - Tom Why does Tom ask about arriving late?

  1. He finishes work after the match begins. Correct answer.
  2. He does not like football.
  3. He has another invitation.
  4. He cannot find the stadium.

Explanation

Tom says he has to work until 3 p.m. and the match starts at 2 p.m., so he will be late. That is why he asks if he can arrive late.

Question 26Reading and Writing

We're meeting ___ Friday morning at ten o'clock.

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

Explanation

English uses 'on' with days of the week, even when a part of the day follows the day, so 'on Friday morning' is correct. 'At' belongs with clock times and 'in' with months, years, or a part of the day that has no named day.

Question 27Reading and Writing

There are three ___ playing in the garden.

  1. childes
  2. childs
  3. childrens
  4. children Correct answer.

Explanation

'Child' is an irregular noun, and its plural is 'children', made without adding -s. The other forms do not exist in standard English.

Question 28Reading and Writing

I can't find my keys. Have you seen ___?

  1. their
  2. they
  3. them Correct answer.
  4. theirs

Explanation

After a verb we need an object pronoun, and 'them' refers back to 'my keys'. The subject form, the possessive word and the possessive pronoun all have different jobs.

Question 29Reading and Writing

She's ___ engineer in a big company.

  1. a
  2. the
  3. an Correct answer.
  4. some

Explanation

We use 'an' before a singular countable noun that begins with a vowel sound, and 'engineer' starts with one. The job is one of many, so no definite article is needed.

Question 30Reading and Writing

This book is ___ than the one I read last month.

  1. the most interesting
  2. more interesting Correct answer.
  3. most interesting
  4. interestinger

Explanation

Longer adjectives form the comparative with 'more' plus the adjective, and 'than' follows it. Superlative forms are used for comparing three or more things and never go with 'than'.

Question 31Reading and Writing

He ___ arrives late for work. He is always at his desk before nine.

  1. ever
  2. not
  3. no
  4. never Correct answer.

Explanation

'Never' is an adverb of frequency that goes before the main verb and makes the sentence negative in meaning. The second sentence confirms that he is always early.

Question 32Reading and Writing

The train goes ___ a tunnel under the mountain.

  1. through Correct answer.
  2. on
  3. across
  4. above

Explanation

'Through' describes movement inside something and out the other side, which is exactly what happens in a tunnel. The other prepositions describe position on or over a surface.

Question 33Reading and Writing

___ is the weather like in London? - It's cold and rainy.

  1. Which
  2. What Correct answer.
  3. How
  4. Who

Explanation

'What ... like?' is the fixed pattern for asking for a description of something. The answer gives a description, so this pattern is needed.

Question 34Reading and Writing

While I ___ dinner, the phone rang.

  1. was cooking Correct answer.
  2. cooks
  3. cooked
  4. am cooking

Explanation

The past continuous shows a longer action in progress that a shorter past simple action interrupts. Cooking is the background action and ringing is the interruption.

Question 35Reading and Writing

How ___ time do we have before the train leaves?

  1. few
  2. many
  3. long
  4. much Correct answer.

Explanation

'Time' is an uncountable noun, so questions about its amount use 'how much'. 'Many' and 'few' belong with plural countable nouns.

Question 36Reading and Writing

I'll call you as soon as I ___ home.

  1. got
  2. get Correct answer.
  3. am getting
  4. will get

Explanation

After time expressions such as 'as soon as', 'when' or 'before', we use the present simple to talk about the future. The main clause already carries the future meaning with 'will'.

Question 37Reading and Writing

She has lived in Paris ___ 2015.

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

Explanation

'Since' marks the starting point of a situation that continues up to now, and a year is a point in time. 'For' would need a length of time instead.

Question 38Reading and Writing

You ___ wear a helmet when you ride a motorbike. It's the law.

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

Explanation

'Must' expresses strong obligation, especially an official rule or a law. The sentence states a legal requirement, so possibility or past ability verbs do not fit.

Question 39Reading and Writing

This is the café ___ we had lunch yesterday.

  1. that
  2. where Correct answer.
  3. which
  4. who

Explanation

'Where' refers to a place and replaces 'in which' in this sentence. The clause already has a subject and a verb, so a place word is needed.

Question 40Reading and Writing

Could you ___ the TV? I can't hear what they're saying.

  1. turn over
  2. turn off
  3. turn down
  4. turn up Correct answer.

Explanation

'Turn up' means to make the sound louder, which is what the speaker needs in order to hear. The other phrasal verbs describe different changes.

Question 41Reading and Writing

I was very tired, ___ I went to bed early.

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

Explanation

'So' introduces a result: being tired is the cause and going to bed early is the effect. Linking words of reason and contrast work the other way round.

Question 42Reading and Writing

Library notice: 'Each person may borrow up to three books for two weeks.' What does this notice tell you?

  1. You must return books in three days.
  2. You can only read books in the library.
  3. You can take three books home. Correct answer.
  4. You have to pay to borrow books.

Explanation

'Borrow up to three books for two weeks' means you may take a maximum of three books away and keep each one for fourteen days. The limit is on the number of books, and the time limit is two weeks.

Question 43Reading and Writing

Message: 'Hi Emma, I've got two tickets for the concert on Friday. Let me know by Thursday if you want to come. Lucy' Why did Lucy write to Emma?

  1. to tell Emma she can't come on Friday
  2. to ask Emma to buy concert tickets
  3. to invite Emma to a concert Correct answer.
  4. to change the date of the concert

Explanation

Lucy says she already has two tickets and asks Emma to reply if she wants to come, so the message is an invitation. She is offering a ticket rather than asking for anything.

Question 44Reading and Writing

Choose the correct question.

  1. Where did you go last night? Correct answer.
  2. Where you did go last night?
  3. Where you went last night?
  4. Where did you went last night?

Explanation

In a past simple question the auxiliary 'did' comes before the subject, and the main verb stays in the base form. So the order is question word, 'did', subject, base verb.

Question 45Reading and Writing

She speaks English very ___.

  1. well Correct answer.
  2. better
  3. good
  4. goodly

Explanation

The word describes how she speaks, so an adverb is needed, and the adverb form of 'good' is 'well'. Adjectives describe nouns, not verbs.

Question 46Reading and Writing

Notice: 'The swimming pool will be closed on Monday morning for cleaning. It will open again at 2 p.m.' When can you swim on Monday?

  1. Before 2 p.m. on Monday
  2. At any time during the whole day
  3. Only in the morning
  4. After 2 p.m. on Monday Correct answer.

Explanation

The pool is shut in the morning for cleaning and reopens at 2 p.m., so swimming is possible from 2 p.m. onwards. The notice gives one reopening time.

Question 47Reading and Writing

I ___ my keys. I can't get into the house.

  1. lose
  2. was losing
  3. have lost Correct answer.
  4. lost

Explanation

The present perfect links a past action to a present result: the keys are still missing now. Past simple would describe a finished event with no connection to the present.

Question 48Reading and Writing

It's the first time I ___ this film.

  1. see
  2. have seen Correct answer.
  3. am seeing
  4. saw

Explanation

After 'It's the first time' we use the present perfect, because we look back from now at an experience up to this moment. A finished past time expression would be needed for past simple.

Question 49Reading and Writing

Email: 'Hi Mum, I'm going to be late home tonight. My boss asked me to finish a report, so I'll probably get back around 8 p.m. Don't wait for me to eat. Love, Rachel' What does Rachel want her mother to know?

  1. She won't be home for dinner. Correct answer.
  2. She will be home early.
  3. She is going to a restaurant.
  4. She has lost her job.

Explanation

Rachel says she will be back around 8 p.m. and tells her mother not to wait to eat, which means she will not be there for the evening meal. The reason she is late is work on a report.

Question 50Reading and Writing

The film was really ___. I loved it.

  1. excitement
  2. excited
  3. excite
  4. exciting Correct answer.

Explanation

The -ing adjective describes the thing that causes the feeling, so the film is 'exciting'. The -ed adjective would describe how a person feels.