A Big Snowstorm
Read an email about a big snowstorm and write the correct word for each of the six gaps.
Reading Part 5
In this exercise you read a short email about a big snowstorm and write the correct word in each gap. This is good practice for Reading Part 5 of the A2 Key (KET) examination.
- ⏱️ Takes about 20–30 minutes.
- 💡 Skill: reading, grammar and vocabulary.
- 📶 Level: A2 Key (KET) — Pre-Intermediate.
Key Words
- snowstorm — a time of very heavy snow, often with strong wind
- headmaster — the man in charge of a school
- freezing — extremely cold
- closed — not open, so you cannot go in
- snowball — a ball of snow that you make with your hands and throw
Useful Language
- Articles — the, a, an: use the for a particular time or thing (the morning).
- the verb be (past) — was, were: everything was white.
- say / think + that — use that to report words (he said that the school was closed).
- a lot of — a large amount (there was a lot of snow).
- Past simple — had, went, saw: for finished actions (I had a hot bath).
- Questions with did — use did to ask about the past (Did you have snow?).
Exam Tip
In Part 5 you complete a short text or email. You write one word in each of the six gaps — there are no choices to pick from. The missing words are usually small grammar words such as articles (the, a), parts of the verb be (was, were), and past-tense words like had and did. Read the whole email first, then check that your word fits the grammar and is spelled correctly.
🗣️ Speaking
- Describe the weather where you live in winter. Does it ever snow?
- Talk about a day when the weather changed your plans. What happened?
- What do you like to do on a cold or snowy day?
✍️ Writing
- Write a short email (25–35 words) to a friend about the weather today. Say what it is like and what you did.
- Write five sentences about a snowy day using the key words from this page.
🔎 Vocabulary challenge
- Find three more words connected with winter (for example: ice, gloves, scarf).
- Match each key word to its meaning, then cover the meanings and test yourself.
- Use each key word in a sentence of your own.
A2 Reading and Writing
Keep practising every part of the A2 Key Reading and Writing paper. Choose a part below to find more free exercises.
Part 1
- Airport Notices
- Restaurant Notices
- School Notices
- Shopping Mall Notices
- Short Messages Exercise 1
- Short Messages Exercise 2
Part 2
Part 3
- Climbing Mount Everest
- Don’t Skip Breakfast
- Edinburgh Festival
- Emirate Airline Manager
- Family Castle
- Getting to Sleep
- London Police Force
- Making Jam
- Photography for Beginners
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
A2 Listening and Speaking
Train your ears and your speaking too. Pick a part of the A2 Key Listening and Speaking test below for more free practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A2 Key Reading Part 5?
A2 Key (KET) Reading Part 5 is an open cloze task. You read a short text or email with six gaps and write one word in each gap. There are no answer choices. It tests grammar and vocabulary.
How many questions are in Reading Part 5?
There are six gaps in Reading Part 5. You write one word for each gap.
How can I get better at Reading Part 5?
Read the whole text first. The missing words are usually small grammar words such as articles, prepositions, pronouns and parts of the verb be. Check your spelling and write only one word in each gap.
Is this big snowstorm exercise free?
Yes. This big snowstorm Reading Part 5 exercise is completely free to use. You can practise online as many times as you like.
Links
Cambridge English qualifications test real-life communication skills, making them ideal for students who need English for work, study, or travel.