A2 Key (KET) Practice Paper 40

Listening

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

alice: Hello, I'd like to sign up for the beginner's sign language course. Is there space available? george: Yes, we have a few places left in the Tuesday evening group, starting next week. alice: What time does the class run? george: It runs from six thirty until eight o'clock, so ninety minutes each session. alice: How long does the whole course last? george: The beginner course lasts twelve weeks, meeting once a week. alice: What is the cost for the full course? george: It's seventy pounds, which includes a workbook and access to online practice videos. alice: That sounds reasonable. Is there a test at the end? george: There's a short informal assessment, but it's mainly to help you see your own progress.

1. What time does the Tuesday class run?

A) Five thirty until seven B) Six thirty until eight C) Seven until eight thirty D) Eight until nine thirty

2. How long does the beginner course last?

A) Six weeks B) Eight weeks C) Ten weeks D) Twelve weeks

3. How much does the full course cost?

A) Fifty pounds B) Sixty pounds C) Seventy pounds D) Eighty pounds

4. What is included in the price?

A) Only the classes B) A workbook and online videos C) A certificate only D) Private lessons

5. What happens at the end of the course?

A) A formal exam B) A short informal assessment C) Nothing at all D) A graduation ceremony

Reading

Yusuf decided to start learning sign language after his new colleague, who is deaf, joined his workplace last year. At first, communication between them relied entirely on writing notes and using a translation app on their phones, which worked but felt slow and impersonal. Yusuf signed up for an evening sign language course at the community college, meeting twice a week for three months. Learning the alphabet and basic vocabulary was challenging at first, since his hands felt clumsy making unfamiliar shapes. After completing the course, Yusuf could hold simple conversations with his colleague directly, without needing any technology. His colleague told him that his effort to learn sign language meant a great deal to her, since most hearing people never make that effort. Yusuf now plans to continue studying to reach a more advanced level next year.

1. Why did Yusuf start learning sign language?

A) It was required for his job B) A new deaf colleague joined his workplace C) He wanted a new hobby D) His family uses sign language

2. How did Yusuf and his colleague communicate at first?

A) Through sign language B) By writing notes and using a translation app C) Through a third person D) They did not communicate

3. How often did Yusuf attend the sign language course?

A) Once a week B) Twice a week C) Every day D) Once a month

4. What did Yusuf find challenging at first?

A) Finding time for the course B) Making unfamiliar hand shapes C) Understanding written English D) Paying for the course

5. What does Yusuf plan to do next year?

A) Stop learning sign language B) Continue studying to a more advanced level C) Teach sign language himself D) Change his job

Real-life notices

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

BIKES HALF PRICE — This week only

A) You can buy a bike for less money this week. B) Bikes are not allowed in the shop this week. C) You must return your bike this week.

SCHOOL TRIP: MEET AT THE GATE, 8.30AM SHARP

A) Students can arrive any time before 8.30. B) Students must be at the gate by 8.30 exactly. C) The trip starts at the school gate at 8.30 in the evening.

ALL ITEMS MUST BE PAID FOR BEFORE LEAVING THE STORE

A) You can take items and pay later. B) You need to pay for everything before you go. C) Some items in the store are free.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: ONE SMALL BAG PER PASSENGER

A) Passengers may bring as many bags as they like. B) Each passenger can bring one small bag. C) Bags are not allowed on this journey.

LAST ADMISSION 30 MINUTES BEFORE CLOSING

A) You can enter at any time, even after closing. B) You must arrive at least half an hour before closing time to get in. C) The building closes thirty minutes after it opens.

Use of English

Sign language courses ___1___ more popular in recent years as workplaces become more inclusive of deaf employees. When my sister ___2___ her job at a school for deaf children, she realised she needed to learn sign language quickly. At first, she ___3___ overwhelmed by how many signs there were to remember. A patient tutor ___4___ her practise slowly, starting with everyday phrases used in the classroom. Within six months, my sister ___5___ enough sign language to teach basic lessons confidently. She ___6___ that learning sign language changed how she thinks about communication generally. Her students ___7___ delighted whenever she uses a new sign correctly for the first time. She ___8___ to become fully fluent within the next two years through continued practice.

1. Gap 1: What have sign language courses become?

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

2. Gap 2: What did the sister start?

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

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

A) felt B) feel C) feels D) feeling

4. Gap 4: What did the tutor do?

A) help B) helped C) helps D) helping

5. Gap 5: What had she learned within six months?

A) learn B) learned C) had learned D) learning

6. Gap 6: What does the sister say?

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

7. Gap 7: How do her students feel?

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

8. Gap 8: What does she hope to do?

A) hope B) hopes C) hoped D) hoping

Writing

Write an email to a friend (80-100 words) about learning a new skill to communicate better with someone, such as a language or sign language. Describe why you learned it and what difference it made.