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 ?

NOTE the position of pronouns:
Turn off the lights.  OR   Turn the lights off.
BUT
Turn them off.   NOT   Turn off them. 

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 

Let's communicate!

 When you don't understand, be honest and say so.

Sometimes people just speak too quickly. Remind them:

  Would you mind speaking more slowly, please?

 If you forget a word or don't know the right one to use, explain it:

• someone/somebody/a person - It's someone who
  works with students and wants them to learn.
• something / a thing - It's something you use when you want to remove what you write.  
• somewhere / a place - It's a place people go to when they are hungry.
• They take care of us when we're sick.
• It has two wheels, gears, brakes, pedals, and handlebars. We use it to get around the town.  
• It's where we stay when we travel. It usually has a swimming pool.

Getting to Know You

 

Introducing yourself:

Mary:  Hi, I'm Mary.  

George: Hello, Mary, I'm George. 

Mary:  Hi, George. // Nice to meet you, George.  // Nice meeting you. 

George:  Hi, Mary. // Nice to meet you, too, Mary.  //  Nice meeting you, too. 

When introducing another person, we use "THIS."

Bob:  Mary, this is George. George, this is Mary.

George: Hi, Mary. // Nice to meet you, Mary.

Mary: Hi George. // It's nice to meet you, too, George.

If you didn’t hear or understand someone's name: "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." "I’m sorry, what was your name again?”

Over the phone, in an office, or at school, someone may need more clarification:

"Could/can/would you spell that for me, please?"

"Is that with a C or K?"

When the conversation is over, the first to leave says: 

It was nice meeting you, (Mary). // It was nice to meet you.

The other person can respond:  It was nice meeting you, too. // It was nice to meet you, too.

                     

• In the 16th/17th century, Livorno [a.k.a. Liburnus in Latin; Livorna (1017); Livuorno, Liurono by Ferdinando de Medici (1593); Legorno; or Ligorna in Genoese] was a very important port for British merchants, who found it easier to pronounce the name as Leghorn.
• The world-famous Tuscan Leghorn breed of chickens got its name because it was exported from that port to N. America in 1828.
• In 1946, the Leghorn rooster became a cartoon character for Warner Bros.

GOOD LUCK!

Hey everyone! Your test is in just a few days. GOOD LUCK! Check over any areas you might need extra help with. Stay calm and follow all the rules we discussed in our lessons. This is the first time for the computer test, so I would love to know your opinions. 
Again, I wish you the best of luck and a great summer.

NEW DIGITAL VERSION of KEY for SCHOOLS

 

Writing Part 6- The email

Writing Part 6:  

For more posts on part 6, click on Part 6, Writing, or Emails under Labels.

• You must write a message of 25 words or more.  Do not count your name or the opening salutation.
• Use GOOD handwriting. You will not be penalized if you write in CAPITAL LETTERS. 
• ***Remember: you can always respond, even when you don't know what all the words mean.  

HOW TO WRITE your message:  
1.  Use the same format you see on the test. Begin with a salutation: Hello / Hi + name of the person you are writing to, followed by a comma:  Hi Bob, 
2. Start a new paragraph and begin with a CAPITAL letter.
3. Answer all 3 parts. 

4. End your letter with: See you soon. / See you later. / Let me know. / Talk to you soon. / Your friend, / Love, / Bye for now,
5. Sign your name 
6. Count the words (excluding the beginning salutation and your name).

Here is an example of an email with ideas of what to write:

You need to choose a friend to do your school project with. Write an email to your school friend Tim. 

• ask Tim to do the project with you;
• say when you can meet
• tell Tim what to bring

Hi Tim,

Would you like to do the school project with me? (10 words)
Can you do the school project with me? (8 words)
Will you do the school project with me? (8 words)

We can meet at my house after basketball practice. (9 words)
We can meet after school in the library. (8 words)
We can meet at 5 p.m.      (5 words)

Why don't we meet....?
Let's meet....

How about meeting....?
I would like to meet...

Please bring your computer and your dad's digital camera. (9 words)
Bring a notebook and your mobile phone. (7 words)

Let me know.  (3 words)
See you soon.
Write me soon.
Bye for now.
Your friend,    (2 words)

Sign your name     

Now it's your turn. Try answering this email from your English friend Joe. Remember, you must write at least 25 words.
1

Write an email to Joe and answer the questions.
Write 25 words or more.
Write the email on your answer sheet.

2   Answer this email from your friend Liam. Remember, you must write at least 25 words.

Hi,

I'm going to be in your town next week. Could you tell me about a good place to eat? What's the food like? Where is it?

Thanks,

Liam

For help with LIKE, click HERE
3 Write an email to Sam and answer the questions. Write 25 words or more. 

Hi,
I want to ask you something. I'm really bored. Can I borrow something to read from you? What do you think I will enjoy? And when would you like it back? 
I hope it's OK. Cheers!
Sam

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 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:

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

 

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!

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.

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. 

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.  

GO - PLAY - DO

 

Pronunciation: verbs in the past tense

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

EXAMPLES: