Birthday Party
Read an email about a birthday party and write the correct word for each of the six gaps.
Reading Part 5
In this exercise you read a short email about a birthday party 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
- birthday party — a celebration held on the day someone was born
- cold — a common illness that makes you sneeze and feel unwell
- present — a thing you give to someone, for example on their birthday
- terrible — very bad
- lovely — very nice or pleasant
Useful Language
- Past simple verbs — told, gave, had: for finished actions in the past.
- had to — for an obligation in the past (you had to stay in bed).
- Articles — a, an, the: use a before a noun phrase (a very good party).
- was / were — use were with a plural subject (friends were there).
- Object pronouns — me, you, him: I will tell you.
- Time words — on Monday, next Monday.
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 past-tense verbs (told, had), articles (a, the), pronouns (you) and time words (on, next). Sometimes more than one word is possible (for example, on Monday or next Monday). Read the whole email first, then check that your word fits the grammar and is spelled correctly.
🗣️ Speaking
- Talk about a party you enjoyed. What made it fun?
- What is the best present you have ever received?
- What do you say or do when a friend is ill?
✍️ Writing
- Write a short email (25–35 words) to a friend who was ill. Ask how they are and share one piece of news.
- Write five sentences about a birthday party using the key words from this page.
🔎 Vocabulary challenge
- Find three more words connected with celebrations (for example: cake, candle, card).
- 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 verbs, articles, pronouns and time words. Sometimes more than one answer is possible. Check your spelling and write only one word in each gap.
Is this birthday party exercise free?
Yes. This birthday party 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.