Key reading: messages and short texts
Đã giới thiệu| English | Ý nghĩa |
|---|---|
| notice/ˈnəʊtɪs/ | thông báo |
| negative/ˈneɡətɪv/ | A sentence form that says something is not true, often with not or no. |
One notice 通知, two meanings
- A sign at the library says: "Books can be returned after 4 p.m. using the box outside." A student thinks it means "No returns after 4."
- The sign means the opposite: returns are possible, through the box. A2 Key Reading checks that you understand exactly what a short text says.
Part 1: short notices and messages
- You read six short texts (signs, notes, emails, texts) and choose what each one says.
- Ask three questions: Who is writing to whom? What must someone do or know? When or under what condition?
Put the Part 1 questions in order.
Độ khó 3/5 · 200 xu + một phần thưởng nhỏ cho lần hoàn thành đầu tiên trong ngày
These three questions give the message.
Read the small words
- Negatives 否定词 and limits change everything: not, only, before, after, until, must, don't need to.
- "You don't need to bring lunch" ≠ "You mustn't bring lunch". "Open until 6" means it closes at 6.
Text message: "Can't meet at 3 – my bus is late. See you at the café at 4 instead?" Meaning: the writer wants to change the meeting time to 4. Not: the writer has cancelled.
Allowed, required or not allowed?
Read the exact meaning of short notices.
Notice: “Swimming pool closed on Monday for cleaning. Open as usual from Tuesday.” What does it say?
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + một phần thưởng nhỏ cho lần hoàn thành đầu tiên trong ngày
It is closed only on Monday and open from Tuesday.
Message: “Sorry, I can't come to football practice today. I'll be there on Thursday.” What does the writer mean?
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + một phần thưởng nhỏ cho lần hoàn thành đầu tiên trong ngày
Today he can't come; Thursday he will.
“You don't need to bring a pen” means the same as “You mustn't bring a pen”.
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + một phần thưởng nhỏ cho lần hoàn thành đầu tiên trong ngày
Don't need to = it isn't necessary; mustn't = it isn't allowed.
“The shop is open ____ 6 p.m.” means it closes at 6. (one word)
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + một phần thưởng nhỏ cho lần hoàn thành đầu tiên trong ngày
Until marks the end time.
Parts 2 and 3: matching and a longer text
- Part 2: three short texts about people or places, seven questions. Find each question's key idea, then check all three texts — the same word may appear in more than one.
- Part 3: one longer text with five questions. Read for the main idea first, then find each detail; keep track of who did what and when.
Common mistakes
- Choosing an answer because it repeats a word from the text, not because it has the same meaning.
- Missing a negative or a time word that reverses the message.
Recap
- Part 1: who, what, when; watch negatives and limits.
- Part 2: compare all three texts; Part 3: main idea first, then details.
- notice: A short public sign or message that gives information or a rule.
- negative: A sentence form that says something is not true, often with not or no.
Write from a Tuesday form
- Hand in the form by Tuesday is a deadline. The form is available from Tuesday is a starting time.
- Follow the notice. Do not replace it with what you would usually do.
One notice says hand in the form by Tuesday. Another says the form is available from Tuesday. What does each one tell you to do?
A deadline is the latest time for an action. A starting time is when something becomes available.
Which notice gives a deadline?
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + một phần thưởng nhỏ cho lần hoàn thành đầu tiên trong ngày
By marks the latest time. From marks the start. A habit is not the notice.