The World’s Glaciers
Read a text about glaciers and choose the best word for each gap.
Reading Part 4
Practise for A2 Key Reading Part 4 with this interactive exercise. Read a short factual text — about glaciers — and choose the best word for each of the six gaps. Part 4 tests your grammar and vocabulary in context, as required in the Cambridge English A2 Key exam. It is perfect for elementary learners preparing for the test.
- ⏱️ Takes about 20–30 minutes
- 💡 Choose the best word for each of six gaps
- 📶 A2 — elementary level
Audio: listen to the text as you read.
Key Words
- glacier — a very large, slow-moving river of thick ice
- freshwater — water that is not salty, like in rivers and lakes
- melt — to change from ice into water
- flood — when water covers land that is usually dry
- temperature — how hot or cold something is
Useful Language
About the text: thick ice between mountains · 75% of the world’s freshwater · the oceans rise
Words that often fill gaps: prepositions (as, in, of) · verbs (are, has) · determiners (the, some, any) · particles (up, down)
Reading for grammar: “as small as a football field” · “most are in the Antarctic” · “many of the glaciers”
Exam Tip
Part 4 tests grammar and vocabulary. Read the whole sentence, not just the words next to the gap, then choose the word that fits both the meaning and the grammar. The choices are often small words like prepositions, verbs or determiners, so check how the sentence is built.
Drag the words into the correct gaps to practise the key language from this lesson.
🗣️ Speaking practice
Talk about nature and the weather.
- ❄️ Have you ever seen snow or ice? Where?
- 🌍 Why is it important to look after our planet?
- ❓ Ask a partner about the weather where they live.
✍️ Writing practice
Write a short paragraph (25 words or more) about the weather or nature in your country.
- 📝 Say what the weather is like.
- 🌟 Say what you like about it.
🔎 Vocabulary challenge
Write your own sentence for each word.
- 🧊 glacier
- 💧 freshwater
- 🔥 melt
- 🌊 flood
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.
- Airport Notices
- Restaurant Notices
- School Notices
- Shopping Mall Notices
- Short Messages Exercise 1
- Short Messages Exercise 2
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.
- 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
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A2 Key Reading Part 4?
In Part 4 of the Cambridge A2 Key (KET) Reading test, you read a short factual text with six gaps and choose the correct word (A, B or C) for each gap. This free exercise uses a text about glaciers.
How many questions are in this exercise?
There are six gaps. You read the text and choose the best word for each space from three options.
Is this A2 Key Reading practice free?
Yes. The Glaciers 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.
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.