Listening Success: A Guide to the A2 Key (KET)

Philo and Sophia practise every part of the Listening paper together

≈30 minutes, including 6 minutes to copy answers 5 parts · 25 questions Every recording is played twice

1The Five Listening Parts, at a Glance

Part 1
5 short dialogues · pick the picture
Part 2
Gap-fill notes · 5 questions
Part 3
Long dialogue · 5 questions
Part 4
Short exchanges · 5 questions
Part 5
Matching · 5 questions
PhiloEvery recording plays twice — so what should I actually be doing between the two listens?
SophiaUse the first listen for the general idea, and to catch anything you're sure of. Use the pause before the second listen to look at the questions again, and use the second listen to confirm your answers and fill any gaps.

2Part 1: Short Dialogues

You hear five short conversations. For each one, you choose which of three pictures matches what you heard — for example, what someone is buying, wearing, or planning to do.

Example — what will the woman buy? Man: Can I help you?
Woman: Yes, I wanted the red scarf, but you don't have my size. I'll just take the blue one instead.
Man: Good choice — that colour suits most people.

What will the woman buy?

The red scarf is mentioned first as a distractor — she couldn't get it in her size, so she chooses blue instead. Listening exams often mention the wrong answer before the right one.

3Part 2: Gap-Fill Notes

You hear one longer monologue — an announcement, a message, or someone giving information — and complete notes or a form with the missing words or numbers.

Example — a library announcement "The Library will close early today, at four o'clock, because of the festival. The Map Room will stay open until six for anyone still working there. Please collect any borrowed scrolls before you leave."
Library closes today: 4 o'clock
Map Room open until: 6 o'clock
Before leaving, collect: borrowed scrolls

Strategy

The gaps almost always need a number, a time, a name, or a single specific word — not a full sentence. Write down exactly what you hear; don't try to paraphrase it.

4Part 3: Long Dialogue

You hear one longer conversation between two people, then answer five three-option questions about what was said.

Example — planning a visit Sophia: I was thinking of going to the harbour tomorrow morning, but I heard it might rain.
Philo: It's supposed to clear up by the afternoon, actually. Why don't we go then instead?
Sophia: That works better for me anyway — I have a lesson in the morning.

When will they go to the harbour?

The morning plan is mentioned first, then changed — the actual plan (afternoon) comes from Philo's suggestion, confirmed by Sophia's reply.

5Part 4: Short Exchanges

You hear five short, separate conversations (not connected to each other), each with one question — usually about an opinion, a feeling, or the main point of what was said.

Example Woman: How was the play last night?
Man: Honestly? The actors were wonderful, but it went on far too long. I was ready to leave after the second hour.

What did the man think of the play?

He praises the acting directly, so the overall opinion is mixed, not entirely negative — the answer must account for both halves of what he says.

6Part 5: Matching

You hear one longer dialogue and match five items (often people, or things they want) to a list of eight options — three of the options won't be used at all.

Strategy

Look at all eight options before you listen and think about how they might differ from each other. As you listen, cross off options as they're ruled out — by the end, the unused three should stand out clearly.

7How Listening Is Scored

Parts 1–5

25 marks total — one per question, no penalty for guessing

Listening marks are combined with Speaking to make up half of the overall exam result, alongside Reading and Writing for the other half. As with Reading, always write something for every question — a guess still has a chance, a blank never does.