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Cambridge A2 Key · Reading Part 3

London Police Force

Read an article about the history of London’s police and answer five questions.

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Reading Part 3

Practise for A2 Key Reading Part 3 with this interactive exercise. Read one longer article — about the history of the London police force — and answer five questions that test your detailed understanding, the skill needed for Part 3 of the Cambridge English A2 Key exam. It is perfect for elementary learners preparing for the test.

  • ⏱️ Takes about 20–30 minutes
  • 💡 Read one longer text for detailed understanding
  • 📶 A2 — elementary level

📄 Print version (PDF)

A2 Key Reading and Writing Part 3: London Police Force

London Police Force

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Part 3
-5 questions-

Read the article about the London police force and answer the questions. Write one letter in the box A, B or C.

London Police Force
Today, there are police officers everywhere, but in 1700, London had none at all. A few old men used to protect the city streets at night, and they were not paid very much.

About 300 years ago, London was starting to get bigger. The city was very dirty, and many people were poor. There were so many thieves who stole money in the streets that people stayed at home as much as possible.

In 1750, Henry Fielding started to pay a group of people to stop thieves. They were like police officers and were called 'Bow Street Runners' because they worked near Bow Street.

Fifty years later, there were 120 Bow Street Runners, but London had become very big and needed more police officers. So, in 1829, the first Metropolitan (or London) Police Force was started with 3000 officers. Most of them worked on foot, but a few rode horses. Until 1920, all the police in London were men.

Today, London police are quite well paid, and for the few police officers who still ride horses, the pay is even better than for the others.

1. In 1700, there were

Apolice officers everywhere.
Bpolice officers only in London.
Cno police officers in London.

2. 300 years ago, many people

Acame to live in London.
Bwanted to leave London.
Chad big houses in London.

3. The Bow Street Runners

Astole money.
Bstopped people stealing.
Cpaid people to steal.

4. Of the 3000 Metropolitan police officers,

Aall of them rode horses.
Bsome of them rode horses.
Cmost of them rode horses

5. Today, police officers who work with horses are paid

Amore than their colleagues.
Bthe same as their colleagues.
Chalf as much as their colleagues.

Your score is

Audio: listen to the article as you read.

Key Words

  • police force — the group of people whose job is to keep a city or country safe
  • officer — a member of the police
  • thief — a person who steals things (plural: thieves)
  • protect — to keep someone or something safe
  • on foot — walking, not riding or driving

Useful Language

About the article: in 1700 London had none · a group to stop thieves · the first Metropolitan Police Force

Reading for detail: “had none at all” = there were no police officers · “a few rode horses” = some of them rode horses

Paraphrase: “London was starting to get bigger” = many people came to live in London · “the pay is even better” = they are paid more than their colleagues

Exam Tip

Part 3 tests detailed understanding. Read the whole article first, then find the part that answers each question — the correct option usually says the same thing in different words. Read amount words like none, some, most and all carefully, because the options often change them.

Drag the words into the correct gaps to practise the key language from this lesson.

🗣️ Speaking practice

Talk about jobs that help people.

  • 👮 What do the police do in your town or city?
  • 🐎 Would you like a job that helps other people? Why, or why not?
  • ❓ Ask a partner how a job has changed over time.

✍️ Writing practice

Write a short paragraph (25 words or more) about a job that helps people in your town.

  • 📝 Say what the job is and what they do.
  • 🌟 Say why it is important.

🔎 Vocabulary challenge

Write your own sentence for each word.

  • 👮 police force
  • 🕵️ thief
  • 🛡️ protect
  • 🚶 on foot
✍️

A2 Reading and Writing

We regularly add new reading and writing exercises to help you improve your English skills. Bookmark our site to easily return and practise anytime, anywhere — perfect for learners at all levels.

Part 1

Read six short real-world texts for the main message.

Part 2

Read seven questions and three short texts on the same topic, then match the questions to the texts.

Part 3

Read one long text for detailed understanding and main ideas.

Part 4

Read a factual text and choose the correct vocabulary items to complete the gaps.

Part 5

Complete gaps in an email (and sometimes the reply too) using one word.

Part 6

Write a short email or note of 25 words or more.

Part 7

Write a short story of 35 words or more based on three picture prompts.

🎧

A2 Listening and Speaking

We also include A2 Key listening and speaking practice exercises to help students prepare effectively for this part of the Cambridge English exam.

Part 1

Listen to conversations and choose the correct answer.

Part 2

Listen to a monologue and complete gaps in a page of notes.

Part 3

Listen to a conversation and choose the correct answer.

Part 4

Listen to conversations and choose the correct answer.

Part 5

Listen to a conversation and choose the correct answer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is A2 Key Reading Part 3?

In Part 3 of the Cambridge A2 Key (KET) Reading test, you read one longer text and answer five multiple-choice questions that check your detailed understanding. This free exercise uses an article about the history of the London police.

How many questions are in this exercise?

There are five questions. You read one article and choose A, B or C for each question.

Is this A2 Key Reading practice free?

Yes. The London Police Force exercise is completely free, gives you instant answers, and includes a printable PDF version you can download.

What level is this exercise?

It is at CEFR A2 (elementary) level, for learners preparing for the Cambridge A2 Key for Schools (KET) exam.

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Links

Cambridge English exams are internationally recognised qualifications designed for learners of all levels, from the A2 Key (KET) exam for elementary English users to the B2 First exam for upper-intermediate learners. These exams provide reliable proof of English language ability and are widely accepted by employers, universities, and governments. Cambridge English qualifications test real-life communication skills, making them ideal for students who need English for work, study, or travel.

A2 KeyB1 PreliminaryB2 First
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