A2 Key:Everyday Routines
Daily life, free time and habits · Present Simple in action.
A2 Key parts in this lesson
Why this lesson now? Revisits Speaking from M01; introduces Listening 2 and Writing 2 story.
Your level · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
Tell your partner one thing you do at the same time every day.
Order these words from most to least often: never, sometimes, always, usually.
Note one thing you do on weekdays and one thing you only do at weekends.
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minPresent Simple for routines
I/you/we/they + verb. He/she/it + verb-s. Questions/negatives use do/does.
- 1We use the Present Simple for routines and habits: things that happen regularly.
- 2Add -s for he/she/it (she works, he gets up).
- 3Questions and negatives need do/does: Do you work on Saturdays?
- 4She doesn't drink coffee.
- 5Adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, never) go before the main verb but after be: I usually walk to work.
- 6I am never late.
I get up at seven every day.
She doesn't work on Sundays.
Do they open at nine? — Yes, they do.
We usually have lunch at one o'clock.
Question 1.She ____ up at six every morning.
Question 2.____ you work at weekends?
Question 3.He ____ like coffee.
Question 4.I ____ go to the gym on Tuesdays.
Question 5.The shop ____ at nine o'clock.
Question 6.We ____ never late for work.
Quick check 1.Which word order is correct?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
time expressions for Mon–Fri / Sat–Sun
Say one thing you do at weekends.
What to do
Match each routine word/phrase with its meaning.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
What to do
Sort each activity under the correct time of day.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use today's routine vocabulary in full sentences about your own day.
Ask your partner
- How do you commute to work or school?
- When do you usually have a break?
- How often do you check your emails?
"On weekdays I usually get up at..., but at weekends I..."get up
Rank these from something you do most often to least often.
- 1check emails
- 2have a break
- 3go to bed early
- 4commute by bike
Then compare with a partner — justify your top choice.
Write 30 words describing your typical weekday routine.
What to do
- 1.A2 Key Reading Part 3 — Five people are looking for an evening class after work.
- 2.Read the descriptions of eight classes (A–H) and decide which class is right for each person.
Tap a person, then tap the text that best matches their needs.
The 5 people
The 8 texts
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minThird person -s endings
- /s/ after p,t,k
- /z/ after most other sounds
- /ɪz/ after s, sh, ch, x, z.
- • gets /s/
- • works /s/
- • lives /z/
- • plays /z/
- • watches /ɪz/
- • finishes /ɪz/
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minA day in the life of a bus driver
Read along — listen to the text
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
My name's Karol and I drive a bus in the city centre. My day starts early — I get up at half past four and I'm at the bus depot by six. My first route usually takes about ninety minutes.
I have a short break at nine and I usually eat a sandwich in the staff room. I don't have time for a big lunch, so I have a proper meal when I get home. I finish work at three in the afternoon most days, but on Fridays I work until six.
In the evening I sometimes go for a walk with my dog, and I always go to bed early because I start so early. It's a tiring job, but I like meeting different people every day.
Question 1.What time does Karol get up?
Question 2.Where does Karol eat during his break?
Question 3.What day does Karol work until six?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minTwo friends talk about their daily routines
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Sofia:What time do you usually get up?
Tom:About half past six. I always have a shower first, then breakfast.
Sofia:Do you walk to work?
Tom:No, I don't. I take the bus — it takes about twenty minutes.
Sofia:What do you do in the evening?
Tom:I usually cook dinner and then I watch TV. I go to bed at eleven.
Sofia:That's early! I usually go to bed after midnight.
Question 1.What does Tom do first in the morning?
Question 2.How does Tom get to work?
Question 3.How long does the journey take?
Question 4.What time does Tom go to bed?
What to do
- 1.A2 Key Listening Part 2 — Listen and complete the notes about Tom's routine.
- 2.Write ONE word or a number/time in each gap.
Part 3 audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Tom's daily routine
Notes- Gets up at:
- Travels to work by:
- Journey time:
- Evening activity:
- Goes to bed at:
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minA2 Key Listening Part 2 — note completion
Read the notes first and predict the type of word (time, place, number) before you listen.
Task
Listen to the recording twice and write short answers (one or two words / a number) in each gap.
Example
Label: Journey time: → expect a length of time, e.g. twenty minutes.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.'She ___ up at seven.' Type ONE word.
Q2.'____ you work at weekends?' Type ONE word.
Q3.'He doesn't ___ coffee.' Type ONE word.
A2 Key Writing Part 6 — Write a short message to a friend about your daily routine, 25 words or more.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Hi! My day starts at seven. I usually go to work by bus and I finish at five. In the evening I cook dinner and watch TV. I go to bed at eleven. What's your routine like?
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Interview your partner about their typical day. Ask at least five questions with 'do/does' and note their answers. Then swap and report back to the class.
What to do
Choose the best answer for each line in this everyday conversation about routines.
- AWhat time do you usually finish work?
- B_______________
- ADo you ever work at weekends?
- B_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use if the routines practice finishes early. ~15 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Write your typical weekday routine in 6–8 sentences using the Present Simple and at least 3 frequency adverbs.
Your response
0 words SavedInterview a family member or friend about their routine and note 5 things they told you.
Your response
0 words SavedComplete a Present Simple gap-fill: write the correct form of the verb in brackets for 6 sentences.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Sentences
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Present Simple = routines and habits. Add -s for he/she/it.
- Questions and negatives need do/does.
- Frequency adverbs go before the main verb, after 'be'.
- A2 Key Listening Part 2 = note completion; predict the word type before you listen.
- A2 Key Reading Part 3 = match 5 people to 8 short texts; 3 texts are extra.
Need more practice?
Optional · your lesson progress stays the sameTelling a story in the past
Practise this exam skill
Future plans and conditions
Practise this exam skill
Habits vs right now
Practise this exam skill