12.1 Requests, Offers, Invitations and Suggestions

Cambridge A2 Key KET

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1 Introduction & Exam Overview

1.1 What Is Cambridge A2 Key (KET)? 1.2 Exam Format: Three Papers 1.3 Who Takes A2 Key and How It Is Delivered 1.4 Study Hours and Preparation Path

2 Scoring, Grades & Results

2.1 The Cambridge English Scale 2.2 Grades A, B, C and Certificates 2.3 How Your Overall Score Is Calculated

3 Reading Parts 1–3: Understanding Texts

3.1 Reading Overview (Parts 1–5) 3.2 Reading Part 1: Short Texts and Main Message 3.3 Reading Part 2: Multiple Matching 3.4 Reading Part 3: Longer Text Detail and Gist

4 Reading Parts 4–5: Vocabulary and Grammar Cloze

4.1 Reading Part 4: Multiple-Choice Cloze 4.2 Collocations and Phrasal Verbs for Part 4 4.3 Reading Part 5: Open Cloze 4.4 Grammar Words for Open Cloze

5 Writing Part 6: Guided Message

5.1 Writing Overview (Parts 6–7) 5.2 Part 6 Guided Writing Task 5.3 Model Emails and Content-Point Checklists

6 Writing Part 7 & Assessment Criteria

6.1 Part 7 Picture Story 6.2 Narrative Language and Connectors 6.3 Writing Assessment: Content, Organisation, Language

7 Listening Parts 1–3

7.1 Listening Paper Overview 7.2 Listening Part 1: Short Dialogues and Pictures 7.3 Listening Part 2: Gap Fill Notes 7.4 Listening Part 3: Conversation Multiple Choice

8 Listening Parts 4–5 & Detail Skills

8.1 Listening Part 4: Gist and Main Message 8.2 Listening Part 5: Matching 8.3 Numbers, Times, Prices and Spelling

9 Speaking Test

9.1 Speaking Test Format 9.2 Speaking Part 1: Interview 9.3 Speaking Part 2: Discussion 9.4 Speaking Assessment Criteria

10 A2 Grammar Essentials

10.1 Present and Past Tenses 10.2 Future Forms, Modals and Obligation 10.3 Comparatives, Superlatives, Adverbs and Word Order 10.4 Questions, Negatives and There Is/Are

11 A2 Vocabulary Topics

11.1 People, Home and Daily Routines 11.2 Free Time, Hobbies, Travel and Transport 11.3 Food, Shopping, Money and Health 11.4 Places in Town, Services and Simple Technology

12 Functional Language for Exam Tasks

12.1 Requests, Offers, Invitations and Suggestions 12.2 Opinions, Agreeing, Disagreeing and Preferences 12.3 Describing People, Places and Events; Simple Narration

13 Exam Day and Test Strategy

13.1 Digital vs Paper-Based and the 2026 Change 13.2 What Happens on Exam Day 13.3 Full Practice Tests and Timing Plans

14 Results and Next Steps

14.1 Interpreting Your Statement of Results 14.2 From A2 Key to B1 Preliminary

12.1 Requests, Offers, Invitations and Suggestions

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

At A2 Key, requests, offers, invitations and suggestions are core functional language for Speaking Parts 1–2 and Writing Part 6 emails and notes.

Polite request frames include Can you…?, Could you…?, and Can I…?; offers use Would you like…? and Can I help…?; invitations use Would you like to…? and Do you want to…?

Suggestions often start with Let's…, Shall we…?, Why don't we…?, or How about + -ing…?

Always pair a function phrase with a short reason or detail, and know one polite accept and one polite refuse pattern for each function.

Register mistakes (orders instead of requests, rude refusals, missing please/thanks) cost marks for Language and Interactive Communication even when the idea is clear.

Last updated: July 2026

12.1 Requests, Offers, Invitations and Suggestions

Quick Answer: Use Can you / Could you…? for requests, Would you like…? for offers and invitations, and Let's / Shall we / Why don't we / How about…? for suggestions. Always add a polite accept or refuse ( Yes, I'd love to / Sorry, I can't… ) and a short reason when you say no.

Functional language is the English of doing things with words : asking someone to help, offering a drink, inviting a friend, suggesting a plan. Cambridge A2 Key tests this language heavily because real life at CEFR A2 is full of short social tasks. You need these phrases in Speaking Part 1 (personal plans and free time), Speaking Part 2 (collaborative choices with a partner), and Writing Part 6 (emails and notes with content points such as invite, ask, or suggest).

This section gives you clear phrase banks, mini dialogues, accept/refuse patterns, and register warnings. Learn the frames , not long memorised speeches. Examiners reward language that is polite, clear, and flexible .

Why functional language matters for A2 Key scores

Paper / part How requests–suggestions appear

Speaking Part 1 What do you do at the weekend? may lead to inviting language in your answer ( I often ask my friend to… ).

Speaking Part 2 You and your partner suggest options, invite ideas, and make polite requests ( Can you say that again? , Shall we choose…? ).

Writing Part 6 Content points often require you to invite , ask for information , suggest a time , or offer help in 25+ words.

Writing Part 7 Characters may offer help or invite each other inside a simple story.

Listening / Reading Notices and dialogues use the same functions—recognising them helps comprehension.

If you only know vocabulary lists ( cinema, pizza, bus ) but cannot invite someone to the cinema , you will struggle on productive tasks. Functions turn topic words into communication.

The four functions at a glance

Function Your goal Core A2 frames

Request Ask someone to do something Can you…? Could you…? Can I…?

Offer Give help or something to someone Would you like…? Can I help…? I'll…

Invitation Ask someone to join an activity Would you like to…? Do you want to…? How about coming…?

Suggestion Propose an idea or plan Let's… Shall we…? Why don't we…? How about + -ing?

These four families share politeness tools: please , thanks , soft modals ( could ), and reasons when you refuse.

Requests: Can you…? Could you…? Can I…?

A request asks another person to act, or asks for permission.

Phrase bank: requests

Strength Phrase Example

Neutral everyday Can you…, please? Can you open the window, please?

A little softer Could you…, please? Could you help me with this bag, please?

Permission for yourself Can I…? Can I sit here?

Soft permission Could I…? Could I borrow your pen?

Need + request I need… Can you…? I need the address. Can you send it, please?

Writing email request Please can you…? / Could you tell me…? Could you tell me what time the class starts?

Mini dialogue: request (Speaking style)

A: Excuse me. Could you pass me the menu, please ?

B: Sure. Here you are.

A: Thanks!

A: Can you help me with my homework later?

B: Yes, of course. Shall we meet at five?

A: Perfect. Thanks.

Accepting and refusing requests

Response Polite phrases

Accept Yes, of course. / Sure. / No problem. / Yes, I can.

Soft refuse Sorry, I can't. / I'm afraid I can't. / Sorry, not today.

Refuse + reason Sorry, I can't. I'm busy this evening.

Refuse + alternative I can't now, but I can help tomorrow.

At A2, a refuse without sorry or a reason often sounds rude: No. → upgrade to Sorry, I can't. I have a class.

Writing Part 6: request lines

Content points often say things like “ask Sam for the time” or “ask about the place.” Use full, polite sentences:

Could you tell me what time the party starts?

Can you send me the address, please?

Please can you bring some music?

Avoid telegram style: Time? / Address please now — too abrupt for a friendly email.

Offers: Would you like…? Can I help…?

An offer gives something or proposes help.

Phrase bank: offers

Frame Example

Would you like + noun? Would you like a drink?

Would you like to + verb? Would you like to sit down?

Can I + verb…? Can I help you with your bags?

I'll + verb… (friendly future offer) I'll open the door for you.

Do you want me to…? Do you want me to call a taxi?

Let me + verb… Let me carry that.

Would you like…? is especially valuable because it is polite in both speaking and writing and fits CEFR A2 cleanly.

Mini dialogue: offer

A: You look tired. Would you like some water?

B: Yes, please. That's kind of you.

A: Can I get you a sandwich too?

B: No, thanks. The water is enough.

Accepting and refusing offers

Response Phrases

Accept Yes, please. / Yes, I'd love one. / That would be great. Thanks.

Refuse politely No, thanks. / No, thank you. I'm fine. / That's kind, but I'm OK.

Common register mistake: refusing with only No. sounds cold. Add thanks almost every time.

Writing Part 6: offer lines

I can meet you at the station.

Would you like me to bring some food?

I can help you with your project on Saturday.

Invitations: Would you like to…? Do you want to…?

An invitation asks someone to join an activity. It is extremely common in Writing Part 6 ( invite your friend to a film / party / picnic ).

Phrase bank: invitations

Frame Example

Would you like to + verb…? Would you like to come to my party?

Do you want to + verb…? Do you want to go to the cinema?

How about + -ing…? How about coming to the park with us?

Why don't you + verb…? Why don't you join us for lunch?

Please come to… Please come to my house on Sunday.

I'd like to invite you to… (a bit more formal/written) I'd like to invite you to my birthday party.

Add time + place so the invitation is useful:

*Would you like to go to the cinema on Friday at 7 p.m.?

Do you want to play football in the park after school?

Mini dialogue: invitation (Speaking Part 2 flavour)

A: Would you like to go to the museum this weekend?

B: I'd love to , but I'm busy on Saturday.

A: How about Sunday morning?

B: Sunday is perfect. Shall we meet at ten?

Accepting and refusing invitations

Response Phrases

Happy accept Yes, I'd love to! / That sounds great. / Yes, please. What time?

Accept + check detail Yes, I'd like to. Where is it?

Soft refuse Sorry, I can't. / I'd love to, but I can't.

Refuse + reason Sorry, I can't come. I have a family dinner.

Refuse + counter-suggest I can't on Friday. How about Saturday?

I'd love to, but… is a high-value A2 refusal: friendly + clear + open for a new plan.

Writing Part 6 model fragment (invite + ask + suggest)

Imagine content points: invite friend to a picnic; ask what food they like; suggest a time.

Hi Anna,

Would you like to come to a picnic in Green Park on Sunday? Can you tell me what food you like? How about meeting at 12 o'clock?

• Bye,
• Leo

Three function frames cover three content points in simple, polite English.

Suggestions: Let's… Shall we…? Why don't we…? How about…?

A suggestion proposes an idea for we or for a shared plan. This is the heart of Speaking Part 2 interactive communication.

Phrase bank: suggestions

Frame Form note Example

Let's + verb Base verb after Let's Let's take the bus.

Shall we + verb? Question form Shall we choose the cheaper ticket?

Why don't we + verb? Base verb Why don't we watch a film?

How about + -ing? -ing form How about going by train?

What about + -ing? Same idea as How about What about meeting at the café?

We could + verb Soft option We could buy sandwiches.

I think we should… Opinion-suggestion mix I think we should leave early.

Form traps (very common)

• Wrong Right Why
• Let's to go Let's go No to after Let's
• How about go How about going Need -ing after How about
• Shall we to meet Shall we meet Base verb after Shall we
• Why don't we going Why don't we go Base verb after Why don't we
• Mini dialogue: suggestions in Speaking Part 2

Interlocutor: Talk together about a good day out for your class.

A: How about going to the zoo?

B: The zoo is fun, but it's expensive. Why don't we go to the park instead?

A: Good idea. Shall we take a picnic?

B: Yes. Let's meet at the school gate at ten.

Notice the pattern examiners like: suggest → respond → new suggestion → decide . You are not giving a monologue; you are building a short plan together.

Accepting and rejecting suggestions politely

Move Phrases

Agree Good idea. / Yes, let's do that. / That sounds perfect.

Soft disagree I'm not sure. / Maybe not. / That's nice, but…

Disagree + reason I don't think so because it's too far.

Counter-suggest How about … instead?

Never say You're wrong or That's stupid in the exam. Soft disagreement keeps Interactive Communication healthy.

Speaking Part 1: weaving functions into personal answers

Part 1 is mainly personal interview, but functional language still appears:

Question Weak answer Stronger A2 answer with function colour

What do you do at the weekend? “Rest.” “I often meet my friends. Sometimes I invite them to my house and we watch a film.”

Do you help at home? “Yes.” “Yes. My mum asks me to wash the dishes, and I usually help.”

What would you like to do next weekend? “Nothing.” “ I'd like to go to the beach. Maybe I can invite my cousin.”

You do not force every function into every answer. You use them when they sound natural.

Speaking Part 2: the interactive function toolkit

Part 2 rewards candidates who can open, invite, request, suggest, and close .

Essential turns

Open: What do you think? / Shall we start with this picture?

Suggest: How about…? / Why don't we…?

Request clarification: Sorry, can you say that again? / Do you mean…?

Offer a turn: Would you like to choose first? / What about you?

Invite agreement: Shall we choose this one?

Close gently: OK, so let's choose the museum. / Yes, I agree.

Mini dialogue: full function mix

A: Shall we talk about the restaurant first?

B: Yes. Would you like to eat Italian food?

A: I'm not sure. How about a pizza place? It's cheaper.

B: Good idea. Can you see the time on the card?

A: It says 7 p.m. Let's go at seven.

B: Perfect.

In about six lines you used suggestion, invitation-style preference, soft doubt, counter-suggestion, request, and decision language—exactly the interactive range A2 Key wants.

• Writing Parts 6–7: putting functions on paper
• Part 6 checklist for function content points

When a bullet says invite / ask / suggest / offer , write a full sentence for each:

Content point type Useful frame

Invite Would you like to come to…?

Ask Can/Could you tell me…?

Suggest time/place How about meeting at…? / Shall we meet at…?

Offer I can bring… / Would you like me to…?

Refuse kindly (if needed) I'm sorry, I can't come because…

Keep the email friendly: greeting, three clear points, closing ( Bye / See you / Best wishes as appropriate for the task).

Part 7 story touch

In a picture story you may need characters to interact:

“Would you like some help?” asked Mia.

• Tom said, “Let's take a taxi.”
• “Can you open the door, please?”

Short quoted offers and suggestions make the story feel real without needing advanced grammar.

Register: sounding polite at A2 (not robotic, not rude)

Register means how formal or informal your language is. A2 Key usually wants friendly everyday polite English—not slang, not business legal language.

Common register mistakes

Mistake Why it fails Better A2 version

Give me the pen. (order) Sounds rude as a request Can you give me the pen, please?

No. (bare refuse) Cold No, thanks. / Sorry, I can't.

You must come. (force) Too strong for an invite Would you like to come?

I demand information about time. Over-formal / odd Could you tell me the time, please?

Yo, party at mine, u coming? Too informal / chat style Would you like to come to my party?

I invite you hereby to attend. Too stiff I'd like to invite you to… / Would you like to come to…?

Let's we go Grammar error Let's go

How about we to go Form error How about going…? / Shall we go…?

• Politeness mini-kit (memorise)
• please / thank you / thanks
• Sorry…
• Excuse me… (to start a request to a stranger)
• I'd love to, but…
• That's kind of you, but…

These small words carry a large politeness load at A2.

Practice set: transform the function

Say or write each idea three ways (request / offer / suggestion) where possible.

You need help with a heavy bag.

Request: Could you help me with this bag, please?

Offer (to someone else later): Can I help you with your bag?

Suggestion: Let's carry it together.

Cinema plan with a friend.

Invitation: Would you like to go to the cinema tonight?

Suggestion: How about watching the new comedy?

Request: Can you buy the tickets online, please?

Class project.

Offer: I can make the poster.

Suggestion: Shall we meet after school?

Request: Could you bring the photos?

Study routine (15 minutes)

3 minutes: Read the four phrase banks aloud.

5 minutes: Practise the Part 2 mini dialogue with a partner or recorder; swap roles.

5 minutes: Write one Part 6 email that invites, asks one question, and suggests a time (25+ words).

2 minutes: Check register: Did you use please/thanks/sorry ? Did you avoid orders?

Linking forward

Requests, offers, invitations and suggestions are half of everyday interaction. The next section trains opinions, agreeing, disagreeing and preferences —the other half of Speaking Part 2 decisions and of Writing answers that explain what you prefer and why. Together, these functional sets turn simple vocabulary into full exam communication.

Master the frames, pair them with polite accepts and refuses, and practise them in short dialogues and short emails. That combination is exactly what A2 Key rewards.