A2 Key listening and speaking practice by task type
The A2 Key listening paper plays every recording twice and asks about everyday situations: a phone call about a trip, a conversation in a shop, a teacher giving times. The speaking test is taken in pairs and lasts only a few minutes. These five pages take each task in turn, with the language you will need and forty practice questions each.
What this paper asks of you
- Using the time before each recording to read the question and predict the answer.
- Hearing numbers, prices, times and dates accurately the first time.
- Understanding spelled-out names and writing them down letter by letter.
- Listening for the answer after a correction: ‘No, sorry, make that four.’
- Choosing the picture that matches what the speakers decide, not what they mention.
- Answering personal questions with a sentence and a reason, not one word.
- Describing a photograph in simple sentences: who, where, what they are doing.
- Talking with a partner: asking, answering and keeping the conversation going.
- Speaking clearly at a steady speed instead of rushing when you are nervous.
Task types, one page each
- Picture multiple choiceA2 Key picture multiple choice practice: listen for the detail the speakers agree on and avoid the distractor pictures, with 40 original questions.40 questions
- Numbers, times and spellingA2 Key listening practice for numbers, prices, dates, times and spelled names: hear it once, write it right. 40 original questions on the completion task.40 questions
- Listening matchingA2 Key listening matching practice: match each speaker or person to the right option while the recording keeps moving. 40 original questions.40 questions
- Personal information exchangeA2 Key speaking practice for the personal information part: answer questions about yourself with a sentence and a reason, in 40 original questions.40 questions
- The picture-prompt conversationA2 Key speaking practice for the picture task: describe a photo, discuss it with your partner and keep the conversation going. 40 original questions.40 questions
Note
Pick Two Activity is an independent tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, the British Council, IDP, ETS, Duolingo or any other exam board. Exam names are trademarks of their owners and are used here only to describe the exam you are preparing for. Every question on this page is original practice written by us: we do not provide, copy or reproduce official exam papers.