key

answer
w ith

E Y A ND
A 2 K L S
FOR S C H O O
Y F O R
A2 K E e d ition
n d
Seco

WITH
AUDIO

Caroline Chapman, Susan White

and Sarah Dymond
For the revised
exams from 2020
 Exam overview

Reading and Writing tasks 60 mins

Part Number of Number of Task type What do candidates have

questions marks to do?

1 6 6 3-option multiple Read six short real-world texts for the

choice main message.

2 7 7 3-option multiple Read seven questions and three short

matching texts on the same topic, then match the
questions to the texts.
Reading and Writing

3 5 5 3-option multiple Read one long text for detailed

choice understanding and main ideas.

4 6 6 3-option multiple- Read a factual text and choose the

choice cloze correct vocabulary items to complete
the gaps.

5 6 6 Open cloze Complete gaps in an email (and

sometimes the reply too) using one word.

6 1 15 Guided writing Write a short email or note of 25 words

or more.

7 1 15 Picture story Write a short story of 35 words or more

based on three picture prompts.

Total 32 60

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8 Exam overview Cambridge Assessment 2020
 Listening tasks about 30 mins
(including 6 minutes to transfer answers)

Part Number of Number of Task type What do candidates have

questions marks to do?

1 5 5 3-option multiple Identify key information in five short

choice dialogues and choose the correct visual.

2 5 5 Gap fill Listen to a monologue and complete

gaps in a page of notes.
Listening

3 5 5 3-option Listen to a dialogue for key information

multiple choice and answer five 3-option questions.

4 5 5 3-option Identify the main idea, message,

multiple choice gist or topic in five short monologues
or dialogues and answer five 3-option
questions.

5 5 5 Matching Listen to a dialogue for key information

and match five items.

Total 25 25

Speaking tasks 8–10 mins

Part Timing Interaction Task type What do candidates have

to do?

1 3–4 minutes Interlocutor Interlocutor asks Respond to questions, giving factual or

questions to personal information.
each candidate
Candidate in turn
Speaking

2 5–6 minutes Candidate Discussion Candidates discuss likes, dislikes and

task with visual give reasons.
stimulus
Candidate
AND
Interlocutor

Candidate

Total 45 marks

© Cambridge University Press and

Cambridge Assessment 2020 Exam overview 9
 The Cambridge English Scale explained
A guide to converting Cambridge English: A2 Key and
A2 Key for Schools practice test scores to
Cambridge English Scale scores
C2
Proficient user

210
Common European Cambridge Cambridge
Framework of English English:
200
Reference (CEFR) Scale A2 Key and A2 Key
for Schools
C1 190

180

B2
Independent user

170

160

B1 150
A
140
B

A2 130
C
Basic user

120

A1 110 Level A1

100

Below
A1 90

80
Cambridge English: A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools are now reporting
results on the Cambridge English Scale. For these exams,
candidates receive an individual score for each of the four skills –
Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. In the live exams, each
of the skills is equally weighted, and a candidate’s overall score
is calculated by adding all of the individual scores together and
dividing by four (and then rounding to the nearest whole number).
A candidate’s grade and CEFR level are based on their performance
across the whole test, and there is no requirement to achieve a
minimum score in each paper.
The following tables can be used as guidance to help you convert
practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores.
Please note that these only apply when using official Cambridge
practice tests.
The conversion tables are intended to help you provide an
indication of your students’ readiness to take the relevant exam.
The scores you provide may not always reflect the results the
students may achieve in a Cambridge English live exam. They
should not be used to try to predict precise scores in the live
exam, but can be a useful diagnostic tool, indicating areas of
relative strength and weakness.
The scores needed on any given test to achieve the scores on the
Cambridge English Scale shown in the tables below will vary due to a
number of factors, so borderline scores need to be reviewed carefully.
The borderline is approximately three Cambridge English scale score
points above and below the score needed to achieve the level, e.g.
117–123 for Level A2. Students who achieve only slightly higher than
the Cambridge English Scale score for a given level on a practice test
may not achieve that level in the live exam, and we recommend that
they continue working to improve so that they reach the desired level.

Converting Cambridge English: A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools

practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores
10
Reading Practice test score Cambridge English CEFR Level
The Reading section consists of Parts 1–5 of the Reading and Scale score
Writing paper. Correct answers in Parts 1–5 are worth 1 mark each. 28 140 Level B1
There are 30 possible marks in the Reading section. 30 120 Level A2
13 100 Level A1
7 82* -
*minimum score reported for A2 Key

Writing Practice test score Cambridge English CEFR Level

The Writing section consists of Parts 6 and 7 of the Reading and Scale score
Writing paper. Candidates’ answers in the Writing paper are 26 140 Level B1
marked by trained examiners who are certificated to mark at the 18 120 Level A2
level. Parts 6 and 7 are marked using assessment scales which 12 100 Level A1
are linked to the Common European Framework of Reference.
8 82* -
0–5 marks are given for each of the following criteria: Content; *minimum score reported for A2 Key
Organisation; and Language. There are a possible 15 marks for Part
6 and 15 possible marks for Part 7. Whole marks only are awarded;
there are no half marks given. Marks for each of the criteria are
combined to give 15 possible marks for each part. In total, there
are 30 possible marks for writing.

Listening Practice test score Cambridge English CEFR Level

Correct answers in the Listening paper are worth 1 mark each. Scale score
There are 25 possible marks in the Listening paper. 23 140 Level B1
17 120 Level A2
11 100 Level A1
6 82* -
*minimum score reported for A2 Key

Speaking Practice test score Cambridge English CEFR Level

Candidates take the test in pairs, but are assessed on their Scale score
individual performance by trained examiners certificated to 41 140 Level B1
examine at the level. Candidate speaking performances are 27 120 Level A2
assessed using scales which are linked to the Common European 18 100 Level A1
Framework of Reference. The assessor gives 0–5 marks for each
10 82* -
of the following criteria: Grammar and Vocabulary; Pronunciation; *minimum score reported for A2 Key
and Interactive Communication. Marks for each of these criteria
are doubled. The interlocutor gives a mark of 0–5 for Global
Achievement. This mark is then multiplied by three. Examiners may
award half marks. Marks for all criteria are then combined, meaning
there are 45 marks available in the Speaking test.

Converting Cambridge English: A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools

practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores
11
 READING AND WRITING PART 1 1

Daily life

Exam task
For each question, choose the correct answer.

1 1 4
Rainbow Café Ted,
Our popular breakfasts are
served all day at excellent I’ve gone to pick up Lucy from her dance
prices! class and will make us all a snack when we
Healthy breakfasts also available. get back at 8 p.m.
Mum

A You can order this meal at any time.

A Ted’s mum has already eaten this evening.
B This café serves only healthy food.
B Ted’s mum plans to prepare a light meal later.
C It’s cheaper to eat here at less busy times.
C Ted’s mum is cooking dinner before Lucy’s
2
dance class.
Katie, 5
Are you free to go Please check
into town tomorrow?
I need to get Tamara
your receipt
a birthday present. before leaving the
You always know shop and tell the
what she likes.
Sam
assistant if there is
a problem.
7:16 p.m.

A Let the assistant know if you think there’s a

Sam is asking Katie mistake on your receipt.
A to go into town with Tamara. B Keep your receipt because you might need
B to come to Tamara’s birthday party. to change something you bought.
C to help choose a gift for Tamara. C Tell the assistant if you’ve lost the receipt
3 for something you bought.
Email
6

Thank you for booking an appointment

at Create Hairdressers. Ken’s Cakeshop
Please arrive 10 minutes before your We’re closed early today for cleaning.
appointment time to discuss what you’d Open again normal times
like us to do. (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) tomorrow (Tuesday).

A Customers may only have to wait 10

minutes to get an appointment.
B Customers are asked to get to the
hairdressers 10 minutes early.
C Customers who arrive more than 10
minutes late could lose their appointment.
A The shop plans to change its usual opening
times.
B The shop closes earlier on Mondays than
Tuesdays.
C The shop will be open as usual from Tuesday.

© Cambridge University Press and

12 READING AND WRITING | PART 1 | 1 Cambridge Assessment 2020
 Put the adverbs in the box in the correct order, from
2a
the most frequent (5) to the least frequent (1).

sometimes never often

always usually

Rewrite the sentences with the words or expressions in brackets in the correct place.
2b
1. My brother plays tennis. (once a week)

2. Do you have breakfast? (always)

3. I drive to work. (every day)

4. I visit my sister at the weekend. (often)

5. I go to bed before midnight. (never)

6. My family eat dinner at 6 p.m. (usually)

Write the questions. Then write your answer below using an adverb of frequency.
3
1. time | usually | get up?

2. get up | different | time | at the weekend?

3. what | eat | for breakfast?

4. where | have | lunch?

Exam facts
• In this part, you read six short texts. These are usually signs, notices, emails, text messages,
notes or labels.
• For each question, you have to choose the sentence (A, B or C) that means the same as the text.

© Cambridge University Press and

Cambridge Assessment 2020
READING AND WRITING | PART 1 | 1 13
 READING AND WRITING PART 1 2

Places and buildings

Read the descriptions. Choose the correct answer, a, b or c.
1
1. You go here if you want to catch a plane.
a station b airport c motorway
2. People go here to watch sports such as football.
a roundabout b theatre c stadium
3. You can park your car in one of these.
a garage b lift c underground
4. Businessmen and businesswomen work at desks in this place.
a elevator b pharmacy c office
5. Parents take their children here so they can have fun.
a playground b market c car park
6. Doctors and nurses work in this place.
a guesthouse b hospital c factory
7. You can study lots of different subjects in this place.
a college b supermarket c hotel
8. People work in this place and make things such as cars.
a museum b cafeteria c factory

Complete the conversation with your own words.

2
Put ONE word in each space.

Receptionist: Good morning. Can I (1) ................ you?

Nikki: Yes please. I (2) ................ love to go to a museum.
Is there one (3) ................ this hotel?
Receptionist: Yes. You can walk to it from here. Just go out
of the hotel, (4) ................ left, walk for about ten minutes,
and you will see it on your right.
Nikki: Thank you. (5) ................ it a big museum?
Receptionist: Yes, it’s the national museum. It’s very large,
and there’s a lot to see there.
Nikki: That’s great. I want to buy some postcards.
(6) ................ the museum have a shop?
Receptionist: Yes, it has a very nice shop. It (7) ................
books and gifts – and postcards, of course.
Nikki: Thank you very much for your help.
Receptionist: You’re (8) ................ ! Just ask me if you
need anything else while you’re staying here.

Exam tips
• Read each short text and think about where you might see it. Who has written it? Who is it for?
What is it about?
• Look for words or phrases in the sentences and the texts that have the same meaning.

© Cambridge University Press and

14 READING AND WRITING | PART 1 | 2 Cambridge Assessment 2020
 Exam task
For each question, choose the correct answer.
3
1  4
Leave shoes, Please use stairs
bags and towels in as lift not working
changing rooms

There’s no space
For customers with
beside the pool
children, nearest lift
20 metres
A The changing rooms are now in a
different place.
B Swimmers can’t take their stuff into the A There are no lifts working at the moment.
pool area. B This lift is only for people with children.
C Don’t forget your shoes, bags and towels C Customers should take the stairs or
before you go. another lift.
2 5

GUESmTkSeys to Visitor Notice

roo
Please give fore leaving Please do not make or
t be
receptionis g out
tel if you are checkin take phone calls in the
ho g later. hospital building
or returnin

A Visitors’ phones won’t work inside the

A Guests should only return room keys on hospital building.
the last day of their visit. B Visitors should speak to hospital staff if
B If there’s no-one at reception, guests they need to use a phone.
should keep their room keys with them. C Visitors mustn’t use their phones anywhere
C The hotel looks after the room keys when inside the hospital.
guests go out for the day.
6
3 Door on this floor for
staff only
The sports centre phoned to say Exit for museum visitors
students can help in reception this on first floor
summer. Can you meet the manager
next Monday at 2 p.m. in the café?

What does this notice say?

A The sports centre manager is looking for
students to do reception work.
B There are summer jobs in the sports
centre café starting from next week.
C The sports centre has holiday jobs for
students to work as sports coaches.
A The way out of the museum is on this floor.
B Visitors should use a different door to
leave the museum.
C Ask a member of staff to show you where
to leave the museum.

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Cambridge Assessment 2020
READING AND WRITING | PART 1 | 2 15