WELCOME to the KET KIDS Practice Pages

This is where you can find messages, homework, and extra help to prepare for the  KEY for Schools certification. 

• Click on the links to practice different types of exercises.
• Study the vocabulary lists posted.
• If you need help, write in the comments section of the posts.
• You can keep updated by becoming a FOLLOWER (in the left-hand column) 

Have fun!

Learning English

Sometimes we lack the words to express what is most important to us. That's when we just need to learn them. 

Watch this video and answer the questions below.                                                                               

How do you learn 

General Information about the test

The READING and WRITING test lasts 1 hour.  There are 7 parts and 32 questions.
Part 1:   Six short real-world texts.
Part 2:  Three short texts on one topic.                                            

Part 3:  One long text for details.
Part 4:  Choose the correct vocabulary for the text.
Part 5:  Complete the gaps with your own words.
Part 6:  Write a short email or note (25 words or more). 
Part 7:  Write a short story (35 words or more).


The LISTENING test lasts about 30 minutes. There are 5 parts and 25 questions.
Part 1:   Five short dialogues. Choose the correct picture.
Part 2:  Taking notes (1 word, a number, a date, or a time).
Parts 3 and 4:  Choose the correct answer for dialogues.
Part 5:   A dialogue with a matching exercise. 

You must use pencils and erasers on special answer sheets. No pens. 

The SPEAKING test lasts about 8-10 minutes. You will have a partner. You can choose your partner.  If there is an uneven number of students, the last group will be a group of three and will last 13 - 15 minutes. There are 2 parts to the Speaking Test. In the first part, the examiner will ask you questions. In the second part, you will discuss some pictures with your partner, saying why you like or dislike what you see.
(See the speaking post below).

Work on the areas that are most difficult for you.

Know the ALPHABET,  and study the VOCABULARY LISTS. 

The Official list of Vocabulary you should know for the test:

Introduction and explanation.....p. 2
Words in alphabetical order......p. 4
Word sets .....................p. 23
Vocabulary by topic .........p. 24 - 31

 

Try this Listening test

 PART 1 

REMEMBER: You will hear something about all 3 pictures, so pay attention to the questions and listen for specific information. Are the verbs in the present, past, or future? 

PART 1

Questions 1-5. You will hear five short conversations. You will hear each conversation twice. There is one question for each conversation. For each question, choose the correct picture (A, B, or C).

The Speaking Test

 Speaking is always a very important part of any exam. 

• There are 2 examiners: one will speak to you, the other will take notes. 
• You will have a partner. It will last 8 - 10 minutes. 
• If there is an odd number of students, the last group will be a group of 3 and will last 13 -15 minutes. 

 Speaking Part 1 

 PERSONAL INFORMATION

This part lasts about 3 -4 minutes.

The examiner will ask each student questions. The most common exam questions are about:

1. Where you are from 
2. School and the subjects you study
3. Family
4. Your home town
5. Freetime activities
6. Your likes and dislikes

First, they will ask you your name, age and where you live, then they will say something like: "Now let's talk about school." 

You should be able to talk about these topics below:  

1. Appliances
2. Clothes and Accessories
3. Colors
4. Communication and Technology
5. Documents and Texts
6. Education
7. Entertainment and Media
8. Family and Friends
9. Food and drink
10. Health, medicine, and exercise
11. Hobbies and leisure (Free Time Activities)
12. House and home 
13. Measurements 
14. Personal feelings, opinions, and experiences 
15. Places (town, city, countryside) and Buildings
16. Services 
17. Shopping 
18. Sports
19. The natural world
20. Transport
21. Travel and Holidays
22. Weather
23. Work and jobs

Click HERE to see pp. 24 - 31 for the vocabulary of the topics above. 

For some typical A2 level questions click HERE (for older students) and  HERE

 Speaking Part 2 
In this part, students talk to each other. 
There are 5 pictures to talk about one of the topics above. You will say why you like or don't like something. You will compare, describe and give your opinion.
Then the examiner will ask some questions on the same topic. 
It will last about 5 -6 minutes.

Click HERE for possible questions in phase 2. 

Watch the videos of the new exam format:

Coronavirus, la canzone di Sting per l'Italia: "Mi manca il mio Paese pr...

How to see your KET for Schools RESULTS

What did you think of the exam?            

How do you think you did? 

Take the polls on the RIGHT side of the blog. 
You can also write in the comments section below. 

You will receive information with your ID number and Secret Number.  Use these to register so you can see the results of your test. Register at:

https://candidates.cambridgeenglish.org/

See the new KET online statement.


If you have comments or questions, write in the comments section below.

Speaking Reminders

1. If you don't understand, you can say so.

Example, if the examiner asks, "Have you ever traveled abroad?" and you don't understand abroad, you can say: 

• I'm sorry. I don't understand "abroad".
• What does "abroad" mean?
• What is "abroad"?

2. The clock is always ticking, so keep talking. Show that you understand the question and know the vocabulary.

Examples: 

If you can't remember what the weather was like or what you wore yesterday,  a true answer is not important.  

• It was cold and rainy / It was warm and sunny. / It rained in the morning, but it was sunny in the afternoon.
• I wore a new pair of trousers and a black sweater with a white blouse.

3.  In part 2, keep the cards on the table so both of you can see them.
if your partner can't find the answer, you can indicate it with your finger.

4. KEEP THINGS SIMPLE and CORRECT. 
Do not give more information than you should.  
Do not change the questions or the information on the cards. 

5. Review the speaking posts

Grammar notes on writing exercises

Writing dates: 18 May / 18th May / May 18 / May 18th 
Money signs come BEFORE the number: £ 10, € 10, $10

Do not dot (.) a capital I !

NO:  "It's start"
YES: "It starts"

Borrow vs Lend: 
If I lend you money, I give it to you. If I borrow money, you give it to me. 

Could I borrow your pencil, please?
I lent Bob my dictionary.

ON foot, BY car, bus, train, plane

Spelling is important!
Count part 9 correctly. You MUST have 25-35 words. 

SPEAKING - some problems

PRIZES  (premi)     Prices (prezzi)

Have you ever won a prize?      What is the price of (a ticket)?  
                                    
cost?
How much is it?   /  How much are they?
How much does it cost?  /  How much do they cost?

£1400 = "one thousand four hundred pounds"  
£19.50 = "nineteen pounds, fifty"
€ 4.75 =  four euros and seventy-five cents   
                       "That's four seventy-five, please." 
                       "That'll be four seventy-five, please."
$122.33 = one hundred twenty-two dollars and thirty-three cents

Whose party is it?   It's Hannah's party.

     

What is the food like?   It's spicy. / It's very good. 

 Is eating out expensive? / Is it expensive to eat out?

               No, it's not expensive. It's cheap. 

What is the weather like?   It's sunny and warm.

    

Where does it take place?  It takes place in the city center.

 

eat?

     Can you eat there? 
food?
     Is there any food there?
    What kind of food is there? 

transport?
     How will/can we get there?
     What kind of transport will/can we use? 

How/get there?

     How can you get there?
     How do we get there?

(You can get there...) BY bus / train / boat / car
                                      ON foot

always sunny?
     Is it always sunny?

What/see?

     What can you see there? 
     What will we see there? 

age?

    How old is it? / How old is he/she?

car park?
     Is there a car park?

more information?

     Can you give me more information, please? 

     Where can I get more information? 

     How can I get more information?

Wear?
     What should I wear? (you, we)
     What do I/you/we have to wear?

What/clothes?
     What clothes should I wear? / What should I wear?

What/bring
     What should I bring?
     What can I bring?

long/journey?
     How long is the journey?

     Is the journey long?

good/food
     Is the food good?
     Do they have good food?

book/place (book means prenotare)
     How can I book a place?
     Can I book a place?
     
When?
When is it? (the party, the competition)

When/open?
When it is open?

April 25 or 25 April = "on the twenty-fifth of April" OR "April twenty-fifth."

November - January = "from November to January"

9 - 5 = "from nine to five"
Rd = Road
1900 = nineteen hundred

NOTE ON NUMBERS: 
1st = first  
31st = thirty-first
2nd = second  
22nd = twenty-second                       
3rd = third 
23rd = twenty-third 
5th = fifth
9th= ninth
12th = twelfth

@ = at
www.english.com = Double u-double u-double u - dot - English - dot - com 

If you have any questions or if there are other problem questions to add, please write them in the comments section below. 

Part 5 exercises (Old part 7)

Hi Rob,

I ____________ just thinking about the party on Saturday. Will ____________ be bringing any music? I need to know so that I can ______________ someone else to if you can't.  I was also thinking about ___________ you said today about inviting Hannah. I think it's a ________ idea. I'll invite her tomorrow when I ________ her in maths class.
What are you ___________ tomorrow after school? Why don't you come over to my place to help ________ with _________ party arrangements?  You could stay for dinner and my mum could __________ you home later. Let me __________.
Bye for now,
Tom

Part 6 - Vocabulary (old version)

1. You can listen to music with this present.                                            MP3  player
   
2. You can take photographs with this present.                                           c _ _ _ _ _
3. You put this on your wall and it may be a picture of a sports star.         p _ _ _ _ _
4. If you get this as a present, you may want to ride it around the park.    b _ _ _
5. If you are given this, you can choose what to buy.                                 m _ _ _ _
6. This is very sweet and you shouldn't eat too much of it.                        c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
7. You sit at this to eat your meals.                                                             t _ _ _ _ 
8. This is where you wash the plates.                                                         s _ _ _
9. You can keep plates and glasses inside this.                                          c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
10. This is the type of dish you use for soup.                                               b _ _ _
11. You put food on this or inside to make it hot.                                        c _ _ _ _ _

Write your answers in the comments section below. 

Vocabulary and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the correct word:

Other phrasal verbs you should know:

sit down                 put on / take off              look out / watch out                look for
write down            turn on / turn off             go out                                           look after
lie down                 get on / get off                 fill in / fill out                             look at
                                  hold on                             find out
stand up
look up
wake up
get up
grow up
wash up
pick up
 
How are these phrases different: get up, get down, get in, get out ?

Part 6 EMAIL with ideas for answers

PART 6: USE THE CORRECT FORMAT. If you are still unsure, read the past posts. Click on "PART 6" under Labels. 

A. Read this email message from your friend Matt.
Can't wait to see you on Saturday.  Which film do you want to see?   What time do you want to meet?   Would you like to get a burger after the film?

Write an email to Matt and answer the questions. Write 25 - 35 words.  

Pronunciation: verbs in the past tense

Please pay attention to the pronunciation of verbs in the past tense. 

EXAMPLES:

PRONOUNS

SUBJECT pronoun-verb-OBJECT pronoun

I see you.                          

You see me.                           

She sees him.                        

He sees her.

She sees it.

It sees us.

We see them.

They see us.

Object pronouns are also used after a preposition: 

Please give it to me. 

Don't give them to us.

POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVE pronouns are used before a noun and can be before or after the verb: 

That is my book.

Your book is on the table. 

POSSESSIVE pronouns replace a noun: 
Whose backpack is this? It's mine. 

Is that your sandwich? No, it's hers.

Those aren't my keys, they're yours.

Use a REFLEXIVE pronoun when the same person is the subject and object of the verb. 

I taught myself how to cook.
(You) Tell me about yourself. 
He looked at himself in the mirror.
She is talking to herself.
It can turn itself off if you use a timer.
We enjoyed ourselves.
Are you enjoying yourselves? 
They always talk about themselves.

Be careful for these common mistakes

 WRONG  //  RIGHT        
Do you like (pizza)?  Yes, I like.  //    Yes, I do.

She's name is Carla.    //  Her name is Carla.
Click HERE for a pronoun review.

What's your sport?  //   What sports do you do?

You have a family?    //    Do you have a family? 
What is your work?   //    What is your job?
I'm from French.    //       I'm from France. 
Have you (an uncle)?  //  Do you have (an uncle)?
I'm from in Spain.    //    I'm from Spain. 

Do you have pets?   //   Do you have any pets?  Do you have any animal?   //  Do you have any pets? 
I have 18 years.    //   I am 18.  /  I am 18 years old.  
Do you like travel?   //  Do you like to travel?  / Do you like traveling?

What do you do in your free time?  I watching TV.  //   I watch TV.

in my weekends.  //   on weekends / at the weekends
I return at home.  //  I return home. 
on your free time   //   in your free time

I practice any sport.   //  I don't do any sports.
practice is a noun with sports: I have football practice this afternoon. 
it is a verb with instruments: I practice the piano four hours a day. 

Listen to

Speaking Test Part 2 (Old version)

Speaking Part 2: the examiner gives you some information on a card with some ideas for questions. You must ask full questions and use correct grammar. Look and talk to your partner, NOT the examiner. 

Let's practice.  Write questions from these answers: 

1. It costs €3.50.  ("three euros and fifty cents")
2. I watch television in the evening.
3. It starts at 7 p.m.
4. It's on December 25.
5. There are 28 people in our class.
6. It's on High Street.
7. She was born on July 4.
8. I listen to pop music.
9. It's Roberta's backpack.
10. The club is open to students under the age of 15.
11. You can take the train.
12. Fine, thanks.
13. He's 14.
14. I like the black sweater.
15. Because I have a test tomorrow.
16. That's his.

Some structures you will use:

1. How much does it cost? How much do they cost?
   How much is it?  / How much are they?
2. What can you do there? 
3. What/Where/How can you _______?
4. Is/Are there __________?
5. What time/When does/do _________?
6. Is it open/closed on (weekends/Saturday)? / When is it open/closed?
7. Does it__________?
8. How many _________?
9. What kind of __________?
10. How far is _________?
11. How can we get there? / How do we get there?
12. Can you __________?
13. Whose _________ is it?

The different meanings of LIKE

    
 What's the weather like? It's sunny and warm.

What was the weather like yesterday? It was cold and rainy. 

What's Brad like?   He's smart, sweet and very funny! 

WHAT does he look like?   He is tall and muscular and has black hair and green eyes.

WHO does he look like?  He looks like his mom. 
(For more ideas, check the ADJECTIVEs + Describing people page above OR CLICK HERE)

What do you like doing on weekends?  
I like going out for a pizza with my friends.

What do you like to do on weekends?  I like to read books and relax. 

  

What would you like for lunch?  I'd like some soup and a sandwich. 

Do you like Coke?  Yes, I do. / No, I don't.

Would you like some Coke? Yes, I would, thank you. / Yes, please.     

OR   No, thank you. 

What does she like to eat?  She likes to eat spaghetti with meatballs.

Did she like vegetables when she was a child? 

           Yes, she did.  / No, she didn't. 

 She has a bag like mine. (Here like means "similar to".)