A DETAI LED GUI DE TO KET
Part 1
Questions 1 - 5
Who are these notices for?
READING AND WRITING
For questions 1 - 5, mark A, B or C on the answer sheet.
The reading and writing part of the test together take 1 hour
and 10 minutes with a total of 56 questions. Candidates
1 WE TAKE TRAVELLERS A receptionists
have a question paper and a separate answer sheet on which
CHEQUES AND CREDIT B tourists
they record their answers. Examples of sample answer sheets
CARDS C bank managers
can be found on pages 36 - 37, and detailed instructions
about their use are issued to centres separately. Teachers are
2 PLEASE DO NOT TAKE A people in a cinema
encouraged to make photocopies of answer sheets and to
BATHROOM TOWELS B secretaries
use these with students preparing for KET. Efforts are made to
TO THE BEACH. C hotel guests
keep the language of instructions to candidates as simple as
possible, and a worked example is given in every part of the
Key: 1 B 2 C
test.
Questions 6  10 are matching questions. Candidates are
The reading test is divided into five parts. Reading texts are
tested on their understanding of the general meaning of the
authentic texts, adapted where necessary so that most of the
texts.
vocabulary and grammatical structures are accessible to
students at this level. However, candidates are expected to
be able to make use of interpretation strategies if they
Part 1
encounter unfamiliar lexis or structures.
Questions 6 - 10
Which notice (A - H) says this (6 - 10)?
PART 1
For questions 6 - 10, mark the correct letter A - H on the
answer sheet.
In Part 1 candidates are tested on their ability to understand
the main message of a sign, notice or other very short text.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
These texts are of the type usually found on roads, in railway
stations, airports, shops, restaurants, offices, schools, etc.
0 You can buy something to read here. A
Wherever possible these texts are authentic and so may
contain lexis which is unfamiliar to the candidates, but this
6 Young people pay less.
should not prevent them from understanding the main
7 You can learn about animals here.
message.
8 We do not close.
9 You can study a language here.
Questions 1 - 5 are multiple choice (3 options). Candidates
10 You can bring your children for a meal here.
are asked either about the likely location of the text, or about
the likely target reader.
A W.H.SMITH Newspapers and Magazines
B BUNKERS FAMILY RESTAURANT NOW OPEN
Part 1
Questions 1 - 5
C TOURIST INFORMATION
Where can you see these notices?
Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.WE SPEAK ENGLISH.
For questions 1 - 5, mark A, B or C on the answer sheet.
D MEAT AND FISH MARKET
1 SPECIAL COACH A in a bank
PRICES FOR STUDENTS B in a travel agency
E WILDLIFE CENTRE
W
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D
L
I
F
E
C
E
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R
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C in a supermarket
Snakes, Monkeys, Spiders and MORE
2 TRAINS FOR LONDON A at a station F ODEON CINEMA
Performances; 2.30, 5.30, 8.30
LEAVE FROM B at a bus stop
Adults Ł3.00
PLATFORM 2 C on a motorway
Children Ł1.50
Key: 1 B 2 A
G Garage open 24 hours
H YORKSHIRE SUMMER SCHOOLS
Learn to speak Russian, Swedish or Greek
Key: 6 F 7 E 8 G 9 H 10 B
Page 11
Questions 21 - 25 are matching questions. Candidates are
PART 2
asked to complete a longer dialogue, by choosing from a list
In Part 2 candidates are tested on their knowledge of a
of options. These dialogues take place in shops, hotels,
specific field of vocabulary. Candidates are asked to match a
restaurants, etc., and in various work, study and social
set of topic related words to the appropriate  definitions of
situations.
the sort which may be found in a learner s dictionary.
Questions 21 - 25
Part 2
Complete the conversation.
Questions 11 - 15
What does the customer say to the shop assistant?
Read the descriptions (11 - 15) of some travel words.
For questions 21 - 25, mark the correct letter A - H on the
What is the correct word (A - H) for each description?
answer sheet.
For questions 11 - 15, mark the correct letter A - H on the
EXAMPLE ANSWER
answer sheet.
Assistant: Good morning. Can I help you?
EXAMPLE ANSWER
Customer: 0 ......................... H
0 This only has two wheels B
Assistant: I see. And what s wrong exactly?
Customer: 21 .........................
11 You buy this when you travel by bus.
12 You travel on water in this.
Assistant: Oh dear. How long have you had it?
13 If you want to fly to another country, you go here.
Customer: 22 .........................
14 You wait here for a train.
15 You often carry things in this when you travel.
Assistant: Thank you.Well, I can change it for another one or
you can have your money back.
A airport E luggage
Customer: 23 .........................
B bicycle F platform
C boat G taxi
Assistant: Certainly. Can you sign this form for me first, please?
D bus stop H ticket
Customer: 24 .........................
Key: 11 H 12 C 13 A 14 F 15 E
Assistant: Thank you. Here s the new cassette recorder.
Customer: 25 .........................
PART 3 Assistant: I m sure it ll be fine!
In Part 3, candidates are tested on their ability to understand
A When I turn it on, it doesn t always work.
the language of the routine transactions of daily life.
B Yes, of course, here you are.
C Only five days. I ve still got the receipt here.
Questions 16  20 are multiple-choice (3 options).
D It works well.
Candidates are asked to complete five unrelated 2-line
E I d like a new cassette recorder, please.
conversational exchanges.
F I paid Ł45 for it.
G Thanks. I hope this one will be better.
Part 3
H Yes, please. I bought this cassette recorder here and
Questions 16 - 20
there s a problem with it.
Complete the conversations.
Key: 21 A 22 C 23 E 24 B 25 G
For questions 16 - 20, mark A, B or C on the answer sheet.
16 We re going to have a A What time did it finish?
party tonight. B Do you want some?
C Can I come?
17 Where did you put the A At ten o clock.
radio? B Because it was heavy.
C Over there.
18 Have you seen this film before? A Yes, next week.
B Yes, three months ago.
C Yes, later tonight.
Key: 16 C 17 C 18 B
Page 12
26 Today it will be windy in
PART 4
A Inverness.
In Part 4, candidates are tested on their ability to understand
B Cardiff.
the main ideas and some details of longer texts (about 200
C London.
words). These texts come from authentic sources, such as
newspaper and magazine articles, but are adapted to make
27 Tonight there may be ice in
them accessible to candidates. Texts may include vocabulary
A Inverness.
which is unfamiliar to the candidates, but this should not
B Cardiff.
interfere with their ability to complete the task.
C London.
The questions in this part may be multiple-choice (3 options)
28 Today it will be warmer than usual in
comprehension questions. Alternatively, candidates may be
A Inverness.
asked to decide whether, according to the text, each one of a
B Cardiff.
set of statements is correct or incorrect, or whether there is
C London.
insufficient information in the text to decide this.
29 Tonight there may be fog in
The following is an example of the multiple-choice type of
A Inverness.
exercise
B Cardiff.
C London.
Part 4
30 Tomorrow it will stop raining first in
Questions 26 - 32
A Inverness.
Read the weather forecast, and then answer the questions.
B Cardiff.
For questions 26 - 32, mark A, B or C on the answer sheet.
C London.
31 Which city may have sun tomorrow?
A Inverness
Weather B Cardiff
W
e
a
t
h
e
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C London
Forecast
F
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e
c
a
s
t
32 Where will it not snow tomorrow night?
After yesterday s fine sunny
A Inverness
weather in Wales, today will
B Cardiff
feel much more like a
C London
November day.
Key: 26 A 27 A 28 C 29 B 30 B 31 C 32 C
Very strong winds will bring rain to Scotland and most of
northern England in the morning.These winds will die away
during the afternoon to give a cold clear night and there may
be ice on the roads in Scotland.The rest of England and Wales
will have a dry day, and in the south-east temperatures will be
higher than normal for the time of year.The evening will be
cold with fog in many places in the south-west, but
temperatures will not be low enough for ice to form.
Tomorrow will be a windy day with rain everywhere until
around noon. In the afternoon the rain will clear from the
south-west, bringing fine weather to all parts by the evening and
there may be some sun in the south-east of England. But
temperatures will be low and the winds may bring some snow
anywhere in the north and west before morning.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
0 Yesterday it was sunny in B
A Inverness
B Cardiff
C London
Page 13
The following is an example of a Part 4 The following is an example of the multiple-choice type of
 Right/Wrong/Doesn t say question type. exercise.
Part 4 PART 5
Questions 26 - 32
In Part 5, candidates are tested on their knowledge of
Read the article about a famous writer.
grammatical structure and usage in the context of a reading
Are sentences 26 - 32  Right (A) or  Wrong (B)?
text. As with Part 4, texts are adapted from newspaper and
If there is not enough information to answer  Right or
magazine articles, encyclopedia and other authentic sources.
 Wrong , choose  Doesn t say (C).
Words are deleted from the text and candidates are asked to
complete the text by choosing the appropriate word from 3
For questions 26 - 32, mark A, B or C on the answer sheet.
options. Deletions mainly focus on structural elements, such
as verb forms, determiners, pronouns, prepositions and
CHARLOTTE BRONTE conjunctions. Understanding of structural relationships at the
C
H
A
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L
O
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T
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B
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T
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phrase, clause, sentence or paragraph level is also required.
Charlotte Bronte is one of England s most famous writers. She
was born on 21 April 1816 in the north of England and spent
most of her life there in the village of Haworth.
Part 5
Questions 33 - 40
One day in 1826, Charlotte s father gave some wooden soldiers
to Charlotte, her brother and her sisters.This was when the
Read the information about the stars.
children started to write.Their first stories were about these
Choose the best word (A, B or C) for each space (33 - 40).
toys.
For questions 33 - 40, mark A, B or C on
Charlotte left Haworth to work as a teacher.When she
the answer sheet.
returned she found that her father was ill and she decided to
stay at home to look after him.
Soon Charlotte and her sisters began writing again.They first
THE STARS
wrote some poems and then each of them wrote a novel.They
sent the novels to a book publisher in London. he thought all
There are millions of stars in 0 sky.
the novels were very good, except Charlotte s. However, it was
If you look 33 the sky on a clear night, it
not long before Charlotte wrote a second novel, a story about
is possible to see about 3000 stars.They 34 small, but they
a young woman called Jane Eyre.The publisher liked this novel
are really 35 big hot balls of burning gas. Some of them are
very much and soon it was in every bookshop.
huge, but others are much 36 , like our planet Earth.The
biggest stars are very bright, but they only live for a short time.
Charlotte wrote two more novels before she died in 1855 at
Every day new stars 37 born and old stars die.
the age of 39.
All the stars are very far away.The light from the nearest star
EXAMPLE ANSWER
takes more 38 four years to reach Earth.
0 Charlotte was an American writer. B
Hundreds of years ago, people 39 stars, like the North star,
A Right B Wrong C Doesn t say
to know which direction to travel in.Today you can 40 see
that star.
26 Charlotte came from a rich family.
A Right B Wrong C Doesn t say
EXAMPLE ANSWER
27 The Bronte children wrote stories.
A Right B Wrong C Doesn t say
0 A a B our C some B
28 Charlotte was a good teacher.
A Right B Wrong C Doesn t say
33 A at B up C on
29 Charlotte stopped teaching because she did not like it.
34 A looks B look C looked
A Right B Wrong C Doesn t say
35 A very B too C much
30 Charlotte wrote some poems.
A Right B Wrong C Doesn t say
36 A small B smaller C smallest
37 A is B be C are
31 Charlotte only wrote two novels.
A Right B Wrong C Doesn t say
38 A that B of C than
39 A use B used C using
32 Charlotte died before she was forty.
A Right B Wrong C Doesn t say
40 A yet B still C already
Key:
Key: 26 C 27 A 28 C 29 B 30 A 31 B 32 A
33 A 34 B 35 A 36 B 37 C 38 C 39 B 40 B
Page 14
PART 6 In Part 7, candidates complete a simple information transfer
task. They are asked to use the information in a short text to
Parts 6  8 focus particularly on writing.
fill in a form or other similar type of document. Candidates
have to understand the text in order to complete the task, but
In Part 6, candidates are asked to show they can produce, in
the focus is on writing rather than reading ability. Candidates
a limited way, the written form of the language. To do this
are expected to understand the vocabulary commonly
they are asked to complete a gapped text. Texts are short and
associated with forms, for example, surname, date of birth,
simple and are of the type candidates at this level may be
etc. The required written production is at word and phrase
expected to write, for example, notes and short letters. A text
level, not sentence. Correct spelling and use of capital letters
may take the form of a note plus a reply to that note (as in
is essential in this part.
the example below), or may be a single letter. Deletions in
the text focus on grammatical structure and vocabulary.
Candidates are only asked to produce words which students
Part 7
at this level can be expected to have active knowledge of.
Questions 51 - 55
Correct spelling of the missing words is essential in this part.
Read this information about a man who wants a job.
Fill in the information on the Job Application Form.
Part 6
For questions 51 - 55, write the information on the answer
Questions 41 - 50
sheet.
Complete the letters.
Jack Donaldson comes from the United States. He s 21 years old
Write ONE word for each space (41 - 50).
and is studying at university in England. He learnt to ski well when
For questions 41 - 50, write your words on the answer
he was 10, but he has never worked in a ski school. He lived in
sheet.
Canada for three years and can speak French very well.
Dear Alex,
Ski School Job Application Form
I m having (Example:a) birthday party on Wednesday.
Name: Jack Donaldson
It s 41 my house from 6 p.m. 42 9 p.m.
Occupation: 51
A lot of friends from my school 43 going to come,
and 44 will be food and drink.
Age: 52
I hope you 45 come. Please let me know.
Nationality: 53
Pat
Foreign languages: 54
Have you taught skiing before? 55
Dear Pat,
Key:
I d love to go to the birthday party.
51 Student 52 21/twenty-one 53 American 54 French
55 no/never
I 46 to my swimming class every Wednesday after school,
but I can be at 47 house at about 6.30.
I ll bring some 48 my new CDs, and I ve got you 49 lovely
PART 8
present! See 50 on Wednesday.
In Part 8, candidates are given the opportunity to show that
they can communicate a written message (20  25 words) of
Alex
an authentic type, for example a note or postcard to a friend.
The instructions indicate the type of message required, who
it is for and what kind of information should be included.
Key: 41 at/in 46 go
Candidates must respond to the prompts in all three bullet
42 to/until/till 47 your
points. Occasionally a bullet point may contain two
43 are 48 of
elements that are linked, as in the first example. Both must
44 there 49 a
be addressed in order to complete the task fully.
45 can/will 50 you
Alternatively, the candidates may be asked to read and
respond appropriately to three elements contained within a
PART 7
short note from a friend, as in the second example.
Candidates are asked to convey three pieces of information.
Page 15
An example of each type of question is given below. The next example scored 4 marks. All the points were
addressed but there were too many errors to get full marks.
Part 8
My best frined Lisa, I m waiting for you to visit my town next week
Question 56
and you no how much I miss you and I like to see you again we can
meet on sunday and we will meet in my house. I want one think
Yesterday you lost something at the school where you are
only, small toys, hope to see you soon.
studying English.
Write a note to put on the wall of the school.
Love
Say:
Giulia
what you lost;
where and when you lost it;
how to return it to you.
The note below is an example of a score of 3. All three
points have been attempted but the final point requires
Write 20 - 25 words.
interpretation on the part of the reader.
Write your note on the back of the answer sheet.
Lisa
Part 8
Question 56 We can meet on Wednesday and we can meet at my home. I would
like to bring my a present.
Read this note from your friend, Lisa.
Samuel
I m going to visit your town next week.
I d like to see you.What day can we meet?
Where can we meet? I want to bring you a
The following is an example of a less successful note. This
present.What would you like?
candidate scored 2 marks. There is an attempt to
communicate only two parts of the message, as the
Lisa
candidate has not said where they can meet and there are a
number of errors in spelling and grammar.
Write a note to Lisa. Answer her questions.
Hello Lisa
Write 20 - 25 words.
Write your note on the back of the answer sheet.
Well the last time we saw as, will be 1 year ago. However I have
free on Saturday then it is brilliant because we have fun fair!
And because the present forget it! You know I don t wont anything.
There are 5 marks for this question. Candidates at this level
I ll see you and that s all my happiness.
are not expected to produce faultless English, but to achieve
5 marks a candidate should write a cohesive message, which
Love
successfully communicates everything indicated in the
instructions, with only minor grammar and spelling errors. A
Debbie
great variety of fully acceptable answers is possible. The full
Part 8 mark scheme is on page 39.
Preparation for the Reading and Writing Component
Part 8
Candidates do not need to follow a specific course before
Sample answers
attempting KET. Any general English course for beginners of
The following is an example of a candidate s note to Lisa
approximately 200 learning hours which develops reading
(see second example question above) which scored 5 marks.
and writing skills alongside instruction in grammar and
vocabulary will be suitable.
3rd Feb.
In addition to course book reading texts, teachers are
Dear Lisa,
advised to give their students every opportunity to read the
type of English used in everyday life, for example, short
You can visit me on Saturday or Sunday because the other days I go
newspaper and magazine articles, advertisements, tourist
to school.We can meet at the fish restaurant where is on Bird
brochures, instructions, recipes, etc. In dealing with this real
street. I know you like fish.You want bring a present for me but I
life material, students should be encouraged to develop
don t want anything.
reading strategies to compensate for their limited linguistic
Bye...Sophia
resources, such as the ability to guess unfamiliar words, and
the ability to extract the main message from a text. A class
Page 16
library consisting of English language magazines and Candidates look at the following on the question paper:
simplified readers on subjects of interest to students will be a
valuable resource.
Part 1
Question 1
Students should also be encouraged to take advantage of real
life occasions for writing short messages to each other and 1 How much is the radio?
their teacher. They can, for example, write invitations,
arrangements for meeting, apologies for missing a class, or
notices about lost property. Here the emphasis should be on
the successful communication of the intended message,
though errors of structure, vocabulary, spelling and
punctuation should not be ignored.
A B C
To ensure that candidates fully understand what they will
have to do in the Reading and Writing paper, it is advisable
Candidates hear the following on cassette (heard twice):
for them to become familiar in advance with the different
types of test tasks, as illustrated by the previous examples
1. How much is the radio?
and by the sample paper at the end of this Handbook. They
Man: Excuse me, how much is this radio, please?
should also make sure that they understand how to record
Woman: Well, it was thirty pounds, but it s on special offer - it s
their answers on the answer sheet (pages 36 and 37).
ten pounds cheaper at the moment.
Man: Mm, I see.Twenty pounds - that s quite cheap. Can I have
a look at it please?
LI STENI NG
The Listening paper is divided into five parts with a total of Key: 1 B
25 questions. The texts are written or adapted by item
writers specifically for the test and recorded in a studio to
For the second question candidates look at this:
simulate real spoken language. The listening texts are
recorded on cassette or CD, and each text is heard twice.
2 Which room does the woman want?
There are pauses for candidates to look at the questions and
to write their answers. The instructions to the candidates on
the recording are the same as the instructions on the
question paper. Candidates write their answers on the
;;;; ;;;; ;;;;
question paper as they listen, and they are then given 8 ;;;; ;;;; ;;;;
;;;; ;;;;
minutes at the end of the test to transfer these answers to an
;;;; ;;;;
Bath Bath Bath
answer sheet. The complete listening test, including time for
room room room
the transfer of answers, takes about 25 - 30 minutes.
A B C
Candidates should tell the supervisor of the listening test as
soon as possible if they have difficulty hearing the recording.
It is important to let the supervisor know this at the
beginning of the recording before the listening test begins Candidates hear the following:
properly.
2. Which room does the woman want?
Man: Seaview Hotel. Can I help you?
PART 1
Woman: Yes, please. I d like to book a room with a bathroom for
In Part 1, candidates are tested on their ability to identify
tomorrow night.
simple factual information in five separate short
Man: Certainly, madam.With one bed or two?
conversational exchanges. The short conversations are either
Woman: Two beds, please.And I d like a television in the room.
between friends or relatives, or between a member of the
public and a shop assistant, booking office clerk, etc. The
Key: 2 A
information focused on in these dialogues is, for example,
prices, numbers, times, dates, locations, directions, shapes,
sizes, weather, descriptions of people and current actions.
PART 2
On the question paper, the candidates see a simple question In Part 2, candidates are tested on their ability to identify
and 3 multiple-choice options based on pictures or simple factual information in a longer conversation. The
drawings. There are five questions in Part 1. conversation is an informal one between two people who
know each other. The topic will be one of personal interest
Page 17
Ł20
Ł30
Ł10
TV
TV
David: Mmm, yes, and what about some fruit? Sophie doesn t like
to the speakers, for example, daily life, travel, occupational
ice cream but she does like fresh fruit salad
activities, free time activities, etc.
Sarah: Yes, that s everything. Let s go to the supermarket.
Candidates show their understanding of the conversation by
Key: 6 B 7 F 8 H 9 D 10 C
matching two lists of items, for example, people, with the
food they like to eat.
PART 3
The candidates look at the following on the question paper:
In Part 3, candidates are also tested on their ability to
identify simple factual information. The listening text is
Part 2
usually an informal conversation between two people who
Questions 6 - 10
know each other about a topic of personal interest to the
speakers. It is sometimes a transactional exchange e.g. a
Listen to Sarah and David talking about making dinner for
person making enquiries in a travel agent s.
their friends.
What does each person like to eat?
In this part, candidates show their understanding of the
For questions 6 - 10, write a letter A - H next to each
conversation by answering 5 multiple-choice questions, each
person.
with 3 options.
You will hear the conversation twice.
The candidates look at the following on the question paper.
There is a twenty second pause to allow candidates to read
EXAMPLE:
the questions.
0 Sarah G
PEOPLE FOOD
Part 3
Questions 11 - 15
6 David A beef
Listen to Carol asking for some information about the
7 Mark B chicken
sports centre.
8 Elaine C fruit salad
For questions 11 - 15, tick A, B or C.
9 Jim D ice cream
You will hear the conversation twice.
10 Sophie E omelette
EXAMPLE ANSWER
F salad
G soup
0 The sports centre does not A Saturday.
H vegetables
open on B Sunday.
C Monday.
Candidates hear the following:
11 Carol must pay A Ł3.
B Ł10.
Listen to Sarah and David talking about making dinner for their friends.
C Ł18.
What does each person like to eat?
For questions 6 to 10 write a letter A to H next to each person.
12 Carol can swim between A 2 and 4 o clock.
You will hear the conversation twice.
B 4 and 6 o clock.
Sarah: What shall we have for dinner tomorrow, David?
C 6 and 8 o clock.
David: Well, what does everyone like?
Sarah: I like soup so we can start with that.
13 Carol wants to play A basketball.
David: Ok Sarah. Soup to start.What about chicken next? That s
B football.
easy to cook, it s cheaper than beef, and it s my favourite.
C tennis.
Sarah: Good idea.
David: We could make a salad to go with it. I know Mark really
14 The caf� is near A the changing rooms.
likes salad.
B the pool.
Sarah: Yes, but Elaine doesn t. She d prefer carrots or peas....
C the reception.
David: That s not a problem, we can do both.
Sarah: Oh, wait a minute. Jim doesn t eat meat.We ll have to
15 The best bus to take A 13.
make an omelette for him.
is number B 14.
David: No, that s John and he can t come. Now, what next?
C 15.
Sarah: I know Jim always wants ice cream - strawberry s his
favourite. Shall we have that?
Page 18
Candidates hear the following:
Candidates look at the following on the question paper:
Listen to Carol asking for some information about the sports
centre. Part 5
For questions 11 to 15, tick A, B or C. Questions 21 - 25
You will hear the conversation twice.
You will hear some information about the
Look at questions 11 to 15 now, you have 20 seconds.
Lincoln Tourist Office
Listen and complete questions 21 - 25.
Now listen to the conversation.
You will hear the information twice.
Robert: Hello,Thirlby Sports Centre. Robert speaking.
Carol: Hello, my name s Carol Scott and I d like some information LINCOLN TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE
please.Are you open at the weekend?
Office hours
Robert: Yes, all day Saturday and Sunday. But we close on Monday.
Monday - Saturday: 9.00a.m. to 6.00p.m.
Carol: How much is it to use the Centre?
Robert: Adults pay eighteen pounds every three months......
Sunday: 21 10.30a.m. to ..........
Carol: I m only fifteen.
Robert: Well.. it s ten pounds for under sixteens.
Information on: 22 .........., restaurants,
Carol : Can I swim in the afternoon?
cinemas
Robert: Between four and six o clock.A school uses the pool from
two until four, and then at six there s a beginners class.
City tours start from: 23 .................. Square
Carol : OK. I d like to play tennis too. Is that possible?
Robert: Yes, and we have basketball and football.And after your
Tours cost: 24 Ł
swim, try the cafe upstairs. It s near the changing rooms,
ask at reception for directions. Tickets from: 25
Carol : Can I take a bus from town to the Centre?
Robert: Yes.The thirteen and fourteen come quite close. But if you
don t want to walk down the road, catch the fifteen.That
Candidates hear the following:
one stops right outside the Centre.
Carol : OK.Thanks.
You will hear some information about the Lincoln Tourist
Office.
Key: 11 B 12 B 13 C 14 A 15 C
Listen and complete questions 21  25.
You will hear the information twice.
PARTS 4 AND 5
Welcome to the historic and beautiful City of Lincoln.
In Parts 4 and 5, candidates are tested on their ability to
extract specific factual information from a dialogue or Thank you for calling the Lincoln Tourist Information Office. I m
monologue and write it down. The dialogue or monologue is afraid the office is closed at the moment. Our normal working hours
in a formal/neutral context, for example, in shops, offices, from Monday to Saturday are from 9 o clock in the morning to 6
etc. A monologue may be a recorded message. The o clock in the evening. On Sunday we open at the later time of 10.30
information to be extracted is of a practical nature, for and close at the earlier time of 3.30. From our office you can get
example, opening times, entrance fees, etc. information about hotels, restaurants and cinemas in the city.
Candidates are asked to complete a memo, message or notes Why not take a bus tour? There are bus tours of the city every day
on the question paper by extracting information from the which start at 11 o clock.They start from Castle Square.Tours take
listening text and writing it down. Information to be written about 2 hours and go around the historic city centre and along a
down consists of numbers, times, dates, prices, spellings and part of the river.The cost of a ticket is Ł3.00.Tickets can be bought
words. In each case, candidates are required to write down from the bus driver.You can get off the bus at five places of interest
1 or 2 words or numbers. Completely accurate spelling is and continue your journey later.
not required, except where a name has been spelt out in the
Thank you for calling.We hope you enjoy your stay.
listening text or when it is a simple high-frequency word.
Key: 21 3.30 [p.m.] 22 hotels 23 castle 24 3/three
25 (the)(bus)driver
Page 19
Preparation for the Listening Component
SPEAKI NG
Listening is a language skill which should be practised from
The speaking test has two parts and lasts 8 to 10 minutes,
the early stages of learning English.
involving two examiners and a pair of candidates. One
examiner is an interlocutor while the other, who takes no
The teacher s first resource is the listening material included
part in the interaction, is an assessor. The speaking
in the course book. These listening tasks should be made use
component contributes 25% of the marks for the whole test.
of regularly in order to build up the confidence which comes
from listening to a variety of speakers talking about a range
of topics. A major advantage of using taped material is that
Test Format
teacher and students are in control of the number of times a
particular listening text is played, which should be varied.
PART 1
Sometimes students will need several repeats before they are
This takes 5 to 6 minutes. In this part each candidate
able to extract the information required by a particular
interacts with the interlocutor, using the language normally
listening task, but at other times they should try to see how
associated with meeting people for the first time, giving
much they can understand after just one hearing.
factual information of a personal kind, for example, name,
place of origin, occupation, family, etc. Candidates are also
In addition to making regular use of course book materials,
expected to be able to talk about their daily life, interests,
teachers should take every opportunity to maximise students
likes, etc.
exposure to authentic spoken English. Even with beginner
level students, English should be used as much as possible as
the language of classroom management. Thus from an early
PART 2
stage students become used to following instructions in
This takes 3 to 4 minutes. In this part the two candidates
English and to extracting relevant information from spoken
interact with each other. This involves asking and answering
discourse.
questions about factual information of a personal or non-
personal kind. Prompt cards are used to stimulate questions
Teachers may also direct students to listen to BBC English by
which will be related to daily life, leisure activities and
radio or TV language programmes; a free schedule of such
social life (including references to places, times, services,
programmes is available from BBC English, Bush House,
where to go, how to get there, what to eat, etc.).
Strand, London WC2B 4PH, United Kingdom. Students can
also listen to other English language broadcasts such as the
BBC World Service in English.
Example 1
A prompt card is used to stimulate Candidate A to ask Candidate B
Other sources of authentic listening material include: films,
some questions of a personal kind, in this case about his/her home:
television, videos, songs, British Embassies and Consulates,
the British Council, language schools, clubs, hotels, youth
(See page 21.)
hostels, airports, teachers of English and any other speakers
of English, such as tourists, tourist guides, friends and family.
There is a variety of acceptable questions which may be produced
using this material. For example:
In listening to real life spoken English, students should be
encouraged to develop listening strategies such as picking
What s your address?
out important information from redundant material, and
Do you live in a flat?
deducing meaning from context by focusing on important
How many rooms are there?
key words and ignoring unimportant unfamiliar terms.
Is there a bus stop near your house?
Do you live with your family?
Students should also become familiar with the task types in
the KET Listening paper, as exemplified above and in the
Candidate B is expected to give short appropriate answers, with
sample paper, and make sure they know how to record their
reference to his/her personal experience.
answers on the answer sheet (page 38).
The examiner will stop the interaction after 4 or 5 questions have
been asked and answered. Candidate B is then given a similar
prompt card to stimulate him/her to ask Candidate A personal
information questions on a different topic.
Page 20
HOME
Ask your partner about his/her home.
ADDRESS?
HOUSE/FLAT?
ROOMS?
2 4 ?
NEAR?
WHO WITH?
Page 21
Example 2
The examiner will stop the interaction after the questions
have been asked and answered. A different set of prompt
This is an example of a set of prompt cards used to stimulate
cards is then given out, so that Candidate B has the
questions and answers of a non-personal kind, in this case about a
opportunity to ask questions and Candidate A to answer
bookshop.The interlocutor reads out these instructions and gives a
them.
question card to Candidate A and an answer card to Candidate B.
Candidate B, here is some information about a bookshop. Candidate A,
Assessment and Marking
you don t know anything about this bookshop, so ask B some questions
Candidates are awarded marks by both examiners for their
about it. Use these words to help you. Do you understand? Now A, ask B
performance in Parts 1 and 2. Candidates at this level are not
your questions about the bookshop, and B you answer them.
expected to produce completely accurate or fluent language,
but they are expected to be able to interact appropriately
Candidate A  Your Questions
and intelligibly with both the interlocutor and each other.
Assessment is made both on the basis of candidates
BOOKSHOP
interactive skill and ability to communicate clearly in speech
and also on their accuracy of language use  grammar,
vocabulary and pronunciation. Both examiners award each
candidate a mark out of 5 for each part of the test, giving a
name of bookshop?
possible total of 20, which is weighted to a final mark out
of 25.
English dictionaries?
Standardisation of marking is maintained both by regular
examiner co-ordination sessions and by visits to centres by
closing time?
Team Leaders to monitor examiners performance. During
training sessions, examiners watch and discuss sample
open Saturday?
Speaking Tests recorded on video in order to establish a
common standard of assessment. These sample videos are
address?
selected to demonstrate a range of nationalities and different
� UCLES
levels of competence and are pre-marked by a team of
There is a variety of acceptable questions which may be produced Senior Team Leaders and Team Leaders (see below).
using this material. For example:
In many countries, Oral Examiners are assigned to teams,
What s the bookshop called? each of which is led by a Team Leader. Team Leaders give
Can I buy an English dictionary there? advice and support to Oral Examiners as required.
What time does it close?
The Team Leaders are responsible to a Senior Team Leader
Is it open on Saturday?
who is the professional representative of UCLES for the
Where is the bookshop?
Speaking Tests, and attends co-ordination and development
Candidate B is expected to give short appropriate answers, with sessions in the UK.
reference to his/her prompt card.
Team Leaders are appointed by the Senior Team Leader in
Candidate B  Your Answers consultation with the local administration, and Senior Team
Leaders are appointed by UCLES.
New England
Preparation for the Speaking Component
Bookshop
It is important that the speaking skill is developed alongside
the other language skills. This may best be done by making
English the language of classroom management, and by
18 Preston Road
encouraging students to communicate with each other and
with the teacher in English.
Candidates should be able to respond appropriately to
Books for Language Learning
questions asking for simple information about themselves.
Dictionaries
They should, for example, be able to give their name
Travel Books
(including spelling it), country of origin, job or subject of
Monday - Friday study, give information about their family, home town,
9am - 8pm school, free time activities and talk simply about their likes
� UCLES
and dislikes.
Page 22
Simple role plays in which students are required to ask and
answer questions will provide useful practice. Such role
plays should focus on everyday language and situations and
involve questions about daily activities and familiar
experiences, or feature exchanging information about such
things as charges and opening times of, for example, a local
sports centre.
Practising for the KET speaking component will help students
prepare for possible real life situations. This will encourage
students to use the spoken language, increase their
confidence in their language ability and help them develop a
positive attitude towards the language learning process.
Page 23