A2 KET Test #31 - Reading & Writing

Lucas Will

Lucas enjoys taking photographs, and he usually spends two hours doing this every weekend. He uses an old camera that his grandfather gave him. He prefers taking pictures of wild birds in the forest near his home. Taking good photos is difficult, so his uncle often teaches him how to use the camera. Last month, Lucas was very surprised when his favourite photograph won first prize in a school competition.

Toby Anderson

Toby loves painting, and his favourite things to paint are animals like horses and cats. He doesn't go to an art class, but he watches videos on his laptop to learn. Toby does his hobby in his bedroom because the light is excellent there. He never enters any art competitions. When he finishes a nice painting, he usually gives it to his parents or grandparents as a birthday present.

Julian Wang

Julian makes his own colourful T-shirts using a new machine that he bought with his pocket money last year. Julian is still a beginner, so his older sister often helps him when the pictures are difficult to make. They usually work together in the garage on Sunday afternoons. Julian sells his best T-shirts to his classmates online, and he uses the extra money to go to the cinema. He hopes to win a fashion prize one day.

Leo's Blog: The Green Park Project

Near my house, there is a large park, but hardly anyone uses it. It is covered in rubbish, and the grass is far too long. Last month, I decided to do something about it. On Tuesday, I wrote a message on the internet and invited people in my town to help me clean the park on Sunday morning.

For three days, I kept checking my computer, but I felt very disappointed. Only two classmates replied to my message! I almost gave up, but then I had a clever idea. On Friday evening, I drew some big, colourful posters about the clean-up. On Saturday morning, I walked around town and stuck them on the walls of the supermarket and the bakery, because I knew a lot of people went there.

On Sunday morning, I arrived at the park early, feeling nervous. I could not believe it when I saw more than fifty neighbours waiting for me! Everyone brought something helpful: brushes, rubbish bags and even tools for cutting the grass. An old lady from my street also made a big box of cakes so that we could all share them.

We worked hard all morning, and by lunchtime the park looked tidy and safe again. I was tired, but I was very proud of what we had done together. Now, families enjoy picnics there, and children play football every afternoon. I realised that doing something in real life can work much better than only sending messages online.

The ostrich is a famous bird that lives in the hot countryside of Africa. It is well known as the largest and heaviest bird in the whole world. Ostriches have large wings, but they use them to 19.1movechangepass direction while running. Because they are so heavy, these birds cannot fly into the air like other birds. However, their strong legs make them the fastest 19.2runnersplayersdrivers on two feet.

There is a popular story that an ostrich puts its head into the sand during danger. However, that is wrong because they actually lie flat on the 19.3floorgroundroof. From far away, their bodies 19.4watchlooksee like large rocks, so other animals cannot see them. Ostriches live in groups, which helps members to look 19.5afteroutdown each other. Their huge eyes also help them to see danger from a very long 19.6pathroadway away.