Vocabulary · Free lesson
TOEFL reading: choose the next action from a notice
A notice may offer different instructions for different people or times. One familiar word is not enough to choose your action.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Identify your situation, find the matching condition, then follow its instruction. In the notice below, someone printing at 10 a.m. on Thursday needs Hall B. The instruction applies before noon, not to every later visit.
Condition first, action second.
The first sentence announces a disruption. The if sentence tells affected readers what to do. The noon sentence limits the disruption, and the last sentence answers a practical question about credits. Put these pieces together instead of treating the alternative location as a permanent move.
Original campus notice
The library printers will be unavailable on Thursday morning. If you need to print before noon, use the printers in Hall B. Library printing resumes at noon. Your print credits work in both locations.
I need to print at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Use the printers in Hall B.
The library is not described as closed. Only its printers are unavailable during the stated period.
Find the instruction that applies
State the need
Print at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Match the time condition
10 a.m. is before noon.
Choose the action
Use Hall B; existing print credits work there.
Try it now
Apply the notice
Read all answers and explanations
You must print at 10 a.m. on Thursday. What should you do according to the notice?
Use the printers in Hall B.10 a.m. is before noon, so Hall B is the stated alternative. The notice does not say every printer is unavailable.
What does the notice say about printing in the library at 1 p.m. Thursday?
It has resumed at noon.Library printing resumes at noon; 1 p.m. is later. No Friday delay or new account is stated.
What happens to your existing print credits when you use Hall B?
They work in Hall B too.Both locations explicitly includes Hall B and the library.
Put it into practice
Choose the action for your situation
New notice: “Registered workshop attendees must bring student ID. If you have not registered, email the office before Thursday at 4 p.m.” You are already registered. Choose the action directly required of you.
Email the office because every attendee must register again.
See a model answer
Bring student ID to the workshop.
The action follows the condition that actually applies to you.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Can I stop after the first sentence?
Read the whole short notice. A later sentence may give an exception, alternative or ending time that changes your action.
Unavailable in the morning; resumes at noon.
Should I add a requirement that seems normal?
Choose from the information supplied. Do not invent a new fee, account or registration step unless the notice requires it.
Print credits work in both locations.
Take it into your day
Match your situation to the condition before choosing an action.
Your next step · Available on Udemy
Understand the English in practical messages.
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