School Notices
Read school signs and notices and choose the correct answer.
Reading Part 1
Practise for A2 Key Reading Part 1 with this interactive exercise, which focuses on school notices. Each question shows a short text — a notice, message, sign or offer — and asks you to choose the correct answer from three options.
This activity builds your understanding of practical information from signs and notices, and helps you make simple inferences from context, as required in Part 1 of the Cambridge English A2 Key exam. It is perfect for elementary learners preparing for the test.
- ⏱️ Takes about 20–30 minutes
- 💡 Read signs, notices and messages for the main idea
- 📶 A2 — elementary level
Key Words
- canteen — a place in a school where you can buy and eat food
- cancelled — stopped or called off; not happening
- safety glasses — special glasses that protect your eyes
- borrow — to take something for a short time and give it back later
- textbook — a book you study from in lessons
Useful Language
Around school: the canteen · the science lab · the library · a school trip
Notices often say: students must… · no food or drinks allowed · up to 3 books for 2 weeks
Reading for meaning: “12:00–1:30pm” = one and a half hours · “lunch not included” = bring your own food
Exam Tip
Each notice has one main message. Read the whole text, then choose the option that means the same thing in different words (a paraphrase). Watch for options that copy words from the notice but change the meaning.
Drag the words into the correct gaps to practise the key language from this lesson.
🗣️ Speaking practice
Talk about your school day.
- 🏫 What do you do at lunchtime at your school?
- 🔬 Describe the rules in one of your classrooms or the science lab.
- ❓ Ask a partner about a school trip they have been on.
✍️ Writing practice
Write a short notice for your school (25 words or more), like the ones in this exercise.
- 📝 Tell students about a time, a rule or an event.
- 🕗 Include a time, a place or a price.
🔎 Vocabulary challenge
Write your own sentence for each school word.
- 🍽️ canteen
- 🚫 cancelled
- 🥽 safety glasses
- 📚 borrow
Top Tips
A2 Reading and Writing
We regularly add new reading and writing exercises to help you improve your English skills. Bookmark our site to easily return and practise anytime, anywhere — perfect for learners at all levels.
Part 1
Read six short real-world texts for the main message.
- Airport Notices
- Restaurant Notices
- School Notices
- Shopping Mall Notices
- Short Messages Exercise 1
- Short Messages Exercise 2
Part 2
Read seven questions and three short texts on the same topic, then match the questions to the texts.
Part 3
Read one long text for detailed understanding and main ideas.
- Climbing Mount Everest
- Don’t Skip Breakfast
- Edinburgh Festival
- Emirate Airline Manager
- Family Castle
- Getting to Sleep
- London Police Force
- Making Jam
- Photography for Beginners
Part 4
Read a factual text and choose the correct vocabulary items to complete the gaps.
Part 5
Complete gaps in an email (and sometimes the reply too) using one word.
Part 6
Write a short email or note of 25 words or more.
A2 Listening and Speaking
We also include A2 Key listening and speaking practice exercises to help students prepare effectively for this part of the Cambridge English exam.
Part 1
Listen to conversations and choose the correct answer.
Part 2
Listen to a monologue and complete gaps in a page of notes.
Part 3
Listen to a conversation and choose the correct answer.
Part 4
Listen to conversations and choose the correct answer.
Part 5
Listen to a conversation and choose the correct answer.
Links
Cambridge English exams are internationally recognised qualifications designed for learners of all levels, from the A2 Key (KET) exam for elementary English users to the B2 First exam for upper-intermediate learners. These exams provide reliable proof of English language ability and are widely accepted by employers, universities, and governments. Cambridge English qualifications test real-life communication skills, making them ideal for students who need English for work, study, or travel.