A2 Key (KET) Practice Paper 34

Listening

No audio recorded for this one yet — read the conversation below, then answer. A2 Key Listening Mock Exam - Signing Up for a Cycling Course

alice: Hello, I saw a poster about a free cycling safety course. Could you tell me more? george: Of course! The course runs on Saturday mornings for three weeks, starting at nine o'clock. alice: That sounds convenient. Is it suitable for someone who hasn't cycled in years? george: Yes, definitely, the course covers everything from basic control to road safety for all levels. alice: Great. Do I need to bring my own bicycle? george: Yes, please bring your own bicycle and a helmet if you have one; we can lend helmets if not. alice: Understood. Is there a cost to join? george: No, the course is completely free, funded by the local council to encourage cycling. alice: Wonderful. How do I reserve a place? george: Just give me your name and phone number, and I'll add you to next Saturday's group.

1. How long does the course run?

A) One week B) Two weeks C) Three weeks D) One month

2. What time does it start on Saturdays?

A) Eight o'clock B) Nine o'clock C) Ten o'clock D) Eleven o'clock

3. What should participants bring?

A) Nothing at all B) Their own bicycle C) A map D) A repair kit

4. What can be borrowed if needed?

A) A bicycle B) A helmet C) Gloves D) A lock

5. How much does the course cost?

A) Five pounds B) Ten pounds C) It varies D) It is free

Reading

Hassan recently bought his first bicycle for commuting to work instead of taking the bus every day. At first, he found cycling on busy roads quite frightening, especially near large roundabouts with lots of traffic. To feel more confident, he signed up for a free cycling safety course offered by his local council, which taught him how to signal properly and position himself safely on the road. After completing the course, Hassan felt much more comfortable cycling to work, even during busy morning traffic. He has also noticed that cycling saves him both time and money compared to taking the bus, since he no longer needs to buy a monthly bus pass. Hassan now encourages his colleagues to try cycling too, especially those who live within a reasonable distance from the office.

1. Why did Hassan buy a bicycle?

A) For exercise only B) For commuting to work instead of the bus C) To sell it later D) For a hobby

2. What did Hassan find frightening at first?

A) Riding at night B) Cycling on busy roads near roundabouts C) Fixing the bicycle D) Cycling in the rain

3. What did the cycling safety course teach?

A) How to repair bicycles B) How to signal and position himself safely C) How to race competitively D) How to choose a bicycle

4. What has Hassan noticed about cycling?

A) It takes longer than the bus B) It saves him time and money C) It is more expensive D) It is only good for short trips

5. What does Hassan now do?

A) Discourages others from cycling B) Encourages his colleagues to try cycling C) Has stopped cycling D) Only cycles at weekends

Real-life notices

Read each notice. Which sentence (A, B or C) is closest in meaning?

PLEASE QUEUE HERE

A) You should stand in line at this spot. B) This area is closed to the public. C) You can sit down here while you wait.

NO ENTRY — STAFF ONLY

A) Everyone can come in here. B) Only workers can go in here. C) This door is always locked.

FRAGILE — HANDLE WITH CARE

A) This item breaks easily, so be gentle with it. B) This item is very heavy. C) This item cannot be moved.

CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT

A) Children can come here alone. B) An adult needs to be with any child here. C) Only adults are allowed here.

ROAD CLOSED FOR REPAIRS — USE DIVERSION

A) Drivers must find another route. B) The road is open as normal. C) Only bicycles can use this road.

Use of English

Cycling to work ___1___ increasingly popular in cities where traffic congestion makes driving slow and stressful. My colleague, Bianca, ___2___ cycling six months ago after her daily commute by car started taking over an hour. She ___3___ nervous about cycling in traffic at first, so she ___4___ a short course to build her confidence. The course ___5___ her useful skills, such as how to make eye contact with drivers at junctions. Since then, Bianca's commute time ___6___ from sixty minutes to just twenty-five minutes by bicycle. She ___7___ that cycling has also improved her fitness and mood significantly. Bianca now ___8___ her bicycle to work every day, rain or shine, unless there is ice on the roads.

1. Gap 1: What has happened to cycling to work?

A) become B) has become C) becomes D) becoming

2. Gap 2: What did Bianca start?

A) start B) started C) starts D) starting

3. Gap 3: How did she feel at first?

A) was B) is C) were D) be

4. Gap 4: What did she do to build confidence?

A) take B) took C) takes D) taking

5. Gap 5: What did the course give her?

A) give B) gave C) gives D) giving

6. Gap 6: What happened to her commute time?

A) drop B) dropped C) drops D) dropping

7. Gap 7: What does Bianca say?

A) say B) says C) said D) saying

8. Gap 8: What does Bianca do every day?

A) ride B) rides C) rode D) riding

Writing

Write an email to a friend (80-100 words) about changing how you travel to work or school, such as cycling, walking, or using public transport. Describe the change, why you made it, and how it has affected you.