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Joy English · Level A1 · General exam skillsjoy-english.com

Short messages and replies

Name:Date:

Independent practice in the style of entry-level exam tasks, not an official test: read short notes and text messages, then choose the meaning and the best reply.

Five messages

Message 1 (Kofi to Lena): Hi Lena! I can't come to the football match tonight. I have a bad cold. Can you give my ticket to Tomás? Kofi

Message 2 (Mum to Aiko): Aiko, I'm at the shops. Please take the cake out of the oven at 5 o'clock. Don't eat it! It's for Grandma. Love, Mum

Message 3 (Mr Osei to his class): Our class trip to the zoo is on Friday. The bus leaves at 8:30. Please bring a packed lunch and a coat.

Message 4 (Ravi to Sofia): Sofia, the new café on Park Street is open now. Do you want to have lunch there on Saturday? I can meet you at 12.

Message 5 (Mina to Jamal): Jamal, I've got your blue jacket. You left it in my car. I can bring it to work tomorrow.

Read the messages

Read messages 1 to 5 in the text. Choose the correct answer.

  1. Message 1: Why can't Kofi go to the match?
    • a) He is ill.
    • b) He has no ticket.
    • c) He has to work.
  2. Message 1: What does Kofi want Lena to do?
    • a) Buy a new ticket.
    • b) Give his ticket to a friend.
    • c) Call him tonight.
  3. Message 2: What must Aiko do at 5 o'clock?
    • a) Make a cake.
    • b) Go to the shops.
    • c) Take the cake out of the oven.
  4. Message 2: Who is the cake for?
    • a) Grandma
    • b) Aiko
    • c) Mum
  5. Message 3: What do the students need to bring on Friday?
    • a) Money for the bus.
    • b) A camera.
    • c) Food and a coat.
  6. Message 4: What does Ravi want to do?
    • a) Work at a café.
    • b) Eat lunch with Sofia.
    • c) Go shopping on Park Street.
  7. Message 5: What did Jamal forget?
    • a) His bag.
    • b) His car keys.
    • c) His jacket.
  8. Message 5: When will Jamal get it back?
    • a) Tomorrow.
    • b) Today.
    • c) On Friday.

Choose the best reply

Read each message. Choose the best reply.

  1. “Can you come to my birthday party on Saturday?”
    • a) Yes, I'd love to. What time?
    • b) Happy birthday to you too!
    • c) No, it isn't my birthday.
  2. “I'm sorry I'm late. The bus didn't come.”
    • a) The bus is very big.
    • b) That's OK. Come and sit down.
    • c) Yes, I'm on time.
  3. “Where shall we meet tomorrow?”
    • a) At ten o'clock.
    • b) Outside the library.
    • c) With my sister.
  4. “Thanks for the flowers. They're beautiful!”
    • a) Yes, please.
    • b) No, I don't.
    • c) I'm glad you like them.
  5. “Can I use your dictionary, please?”
    • a) Of course. Here you are.
    • b) Yes, I'm a student.
    • c) It's on Monday.
  6. “What time does the film start?”
    • a) At the cinema.
    • b) At half past seven.
    • c) For two hours.
  7. “I passed my driving test!”
    • a) Bad luck!
    • b) Never mind.
    • c) Well done! That's great news.
  8. “Do you want tea or juice?”
    • a) Juice, please.
    • b) Yes, I do.
    • c) I'm thirsty, thanks.

Answer key

Read the messages

  1. a) He is ill.Kofi says he has a bad cold, so he is ill.
  2. b) Give his ticket to a friend.Kofi asks Lena to give his ticket to Tomás.
  3. c) Take the cake out of the oven.Mum writes: please take the cake out of the oven at 5 o'clock.
  4. a) GrandmaMum says: It's for Grandma. That is why Aiko must not eat it.
  5. c) Food and a coat.A packed lunch is food from home. Mr Osei also asks for a coat.
  6. b) Eat lunch with Sofia.Ravi asks Sofia to have lunch with him at the new café.
  7. c) His jacket.Mina says Jamal left his blue jacket in her car.
  8. a) Tomorrow.Mina can bring the jacket to work tomorrow.

Choose the best reply

  1. a) Yes, I'd love to. What time?The friend asks if you can come. A good reply says yes or no.
  2. b) That's OK. Come and sit down.When someone says sorry, we can answer That's OK.
  3. b) Outside the library.Where asks about a place. Outside the library is a place.
  4. c) I'm glad you like them.Your friend says thank you, so you say you are happy they like the flowers.
  5. a) Of course. Here you are.Of course means yes. Here you are is what we say when we give something.
  6. b) At half past seven.What time asks for a time, so half past seven is correct.
  7. c) Well done! That's great news.Passing a test is good news, so we say well done.
  8. a) Juice, please.A question with or needs a choice. Yes or no is not a good answer.

Joy English · free English practice · https://joy-english.com/exam-practice/short-messages-and-replies