General A2 Key · Mock 1

Mock Exam 1 · Your first practice exam

After Module 03 / Exam Review Lab 01 — about one-third through the course.

Short timed mock across all four papers. Establishes a baseline before the heavy spiral phase.

140 min total Same parts and timing as the real exam

Teacher Notes

Part 1

Reading 1 — Signs & short messages

8 min

NoticeSame as the real exam

Read the notice in a workplace café and choose A, B or C.

Card payments only at lunch service until 2pm. Cash accepted from 2pm.

A You can only pay by card before 2pm.
B You can pay in cash before 2pm.
C The café is closed before 2pm.

Part 2

Reading 2 — Matching readers to texts

8 min

AdvertisementSame as the real exam

The four people below want a weekend break. Decide which place (A–F) is best for each one. There are two extra places you will not need.

1 Lara — wants a quiet break with very good food. She does not drive.

2 Ben — wants to be active outdoors all weekend and does not mind travelling by car.

3 Nadia — has only Saturday free and wants to learn something new indoors.

4 Tom — wants live music and a lively crowd, and has a small budget.

Choose from A–F

ACity spa hotel — two minutes from the station, quiet garden rooms, famous tasting menu.

BMountain cabin — three-hour drive, hiking and kayaking both days, cook for yourself.

CSaturday bread-making class — 10 a.m.–1 p.m. in the town hall, all equipment provided.

DFree riverside music festival — three stages, busy crowds, street-food vans.

ECoach tour of castles — sitting on a bus most of the day, lunch not included.

FBeach hotel — lovely views, but the restaurant is closed for building work.

Part 3

Reading 3 — Longer text MCQ

10 min

ArticleSame as the real exam

Read the article about a return-to-the-office survey. What does the writer mainly suggest?

Magazine article

We asked 400 staff how they want to work next year. Only a small group — about one in seven — said they never want to see the office again. A similar number said they miss it every single day. Most people, though, chose something in the middle: two or three days at a desk with colleagues, and the rest at home. The reasons were clear. People said they concentrate better at home on quiet tasks, but they learn faster and feel less alone when they are in the same room as their team. One manager told us she now keeps meetings for office days and long reports for home days. So before we make a rule for everyone, perhaps we should listen to what most staff are actually asking for: a balance, not a return to how things were.

A The office should close on Fridays.
B Hybrid weeks work for most staff.
C Everyone prefers working from home.

Part 4

Reading 4 — Gapped text

8 min

ArticleSame as the real exam

Choose the sentence that fits the gap in the travel-blog paragraph.

Magazine article

Three days in Porto — was it worth it? We arrived late on Friday and walked straight down to the river, which was already full of people. The next morning we did the usual things: the bookshop, the bridge, a very long queue for the tram. [ GAP ] Every evening we ate somewhere different, and the grilled fish at the little place near our flat was the best meal I have had all year. Would I go back? Absolutely — but next time in spring, when it is a little quieter.

A In conclusion, I would not recommend the trip.
B First, we had to book the tickets online.
C However, the food was a real highlight.

Part 5

Reading 5 — MCQ cloze

8 min

Web pageSame as the real exam

Choose the best word: 'Please ___ your colleagues that the meeting starts at 10.'

A speak
B tell
C say

Part 6

Reading 6 — Open cloze

8 min

Web pageSame as the real exam

Fill the gap with ONE word: 'I've worked here ___ five years.'

Teacher Mode marking

Turn on Teacher Mode (top right) to see the answers, sample answers and how Cambridge marks each task. Use the toggle to switch between A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools. Both test the same skills.