SFATURI ȘI TRUCURISigns & Notices

  • 5 short texts
  • 3 options each
  • 1 mark each
  • About 5 minutes

This is Part 1 of the B1 Reading paper: five short texts, such as signs, notices, labels, messages and emails. For each one you choose the option (A, B or C) that best matches its main message.

The texts are short, but every word matters. Most of them tell someone what they must do, warn them, give information, give advice or ask for something, so working out the purpose is half the job.

Read the text first

Read the sign or message and put its meaning into your own simple words before you look at the options. If you start with the options, their wording can push you towards an idea that isn't really in the text.

Ask why it was written

Decide what the text is for. Is it an obligation ('must', 'not allowed'), a warning ('danger', 'take care'), information ('closed', 'moved to'), advice ('we recommend') or a request ('please', 'could you')? The right option keeps the same purpose.

Picture the situation

Imagine where you'd see the text and who it's for: a station, a school corridor, a shop door, a phone screen. The situation tells you who has to act and helps you understand short forms like 'Staff only' or 'Out of order'.

Expect different words

The correct option rarely repeats the text; it says the same thing another way. 'No entry without a ticket' might become 'You need a ticket to go in'. Be suspicious of an option that copies words from the text but changes what they mean.

Check every small detail

Wrong options often change just one thing: who has to act, when something happens, or whether you 'must', 'can' or 'don't have to'. Compare times, days, negatives and words like 'all', 'only' and 'some' with the text.

Strategy

  1. 1Read the text and decide where you might see it and who it's written for.
  2. 2Say its main message to yourself in simple words before reading the options.
  3. 3Decide its purpose: an obligation, a warning, information, advice or a request.
  4. 4Read all three options and compare each one with the text, detail by detail.
  5. 5Cross out the options that change who acts, when, how much, or whether something is allowed.
  6. 6Reread your chosen option alongside the text to confirm they say the same thing.
Exersează Signs & NoticesExamene pentru exersat: 60. Primul este gratuit.