School Life
Read an email about school life and write the correct word for each of the six gaps.
Reading Part 5
In this exercise you read a short email about school life 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
- term — one of the periods of time a school year is divided into
- strict — expecting people to behave well and follow rules
- club — a group that meets to share an interest or activity, such as sport or art
- friendly — kind and pleasant to other people
- lost — not knowing where you are or where to go
Useful Language
- good to + verb — it was good to hear from you.
- more than — use than after a comparative (more than 1000 students).
- the verb be — are, is: the buildings are large.
- Prepositions of place — in my class, at school.
- most of — use of before a group (most of the teachers).
- there is / there are — use there to say something exists (there are many clubs).
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 prepositions (to, in, of), comparatives with than, parts of the verb be (are), and words like there. Read the whole email first, then check that your word fits the grammar and is spelled correctly.
🗣️ Speaking
- Describe your school. How big is it, and what is it like?
- Are your teachers strict or relaxed? Give an example.
- Talk about a club or activity you do after school.
✍️ Writing
- Write a short email (25–35 words) to a friend describing your school. Say how big it is and one thing you like about it.
- Write five sentences about school life using the key words from this page.
🔎 Vocabulary challenge
- Find three more words connected with school (for example: timetable, playground, subject).
- 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 prepositions, comparatives and parts of the verb be. Check your spelling and write only one word in each gap.
Is this school life exercise free?
Yes. This school life 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.