Reading: Read in Daily Life

Able to be obtained, used or seen at a particular time or place.

“Study rooms are available from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.”

“Tickets are no longer available for Saturday's performance.”

Often used: available from · readily available · available upon request

TOEFL tip: 'Available upon request' means you must ask first — a subtle point often tested in service notices.

To say or show definitely that something is true or that an arrangement is final.

“Please confirm your attendance by replying to this message.”

“A confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours.”

Often used: confirm a booking · confirm in writing · confirm receipt

TOEFL tip: Email tasks often require the reader to confirm within a time limit; look for the verb plus a deadline in the same clause.

The latest time or date by which something must be finished or handed in.

“The deadline for course registration is Friday at 5 p.m.”

“She missed the deadline and had to pay a late fee.”

Often used: meet the deadline · miss a deadline · extend the deadline

TOEFL tip: In 'Read in Daily Life' notices, scan for 'deadline' when a question asks 'By when must...?' — the answer date is usually in the same sentence.

Able to be chosen but not required.

“The campus tour is optional, but most students find it useful.”

“Insurance is optional when you rent a bicycle here.”

Often used: optional extra · purely optional · an optional session

TOEFL tip: If a schedule marks an item 'optional', a question asking what participants 'must' do will exclude it — a common distractor.

Money that is paid back to you, for example when you return goods or cancel a booking.

“You can request a full refund within fourteen days of purchase.”

“No refund will be given for tickets cancelled on the day of the event.”

Often used: a full refund · request a refund · non-refundable deposit

TOEFL tip: Refund policies mix conditions and time limits; underline 'within X days' and 'no refund if' before answering.

A message that helps someone remember something they must do.

“This is a friendly reminder that your payment is due on Monday.”

“You will receive a reminder 24 hours before your appointment.”

Often used: a gentle reminder · send a reminder · reminder email

TOEFL tip: Emails beginning 'This is a reminder that...' usually state the main purpose in that first sentence — a likely purpose-question answer.

To arrange for something such as a membership or loan to continue for a further period.

“You can renew your books online up to two times.”

“Remember to renew your parking permit before the term begins.”

Often used: renew a membership · renew online · automatically renewed

TOEFL tip: Library and membership notices pair 'renew' with limits ('up to twice'); expect a detail question on how many renewals are allowed.

To make something necessary as a condition or rule.

“Visitors are required to sign in at the front desk.”

“This form requires a signature from your supervisor.”

Often used: be required to · required documents · as required

TOEFL tip: 'Are required to' is the passive obligation pattern in notices; treat it as equal in force to 'must'.

To give a document or form to an official person or office for consideration.

“Please submit your application by 15 March.”

“Forms submitted after the closing date will not be reviewed.”

Often used: submit an application · submit by · submit online

TOEFL tip: In instruction texts, 'submit' usually introduces the required action; note the accompanying method (online, in person) for procedure questions.

For a limited time only, not permanently.

“The east entrance is temporarily closed for repairs.”

“Services are temporarily unavailable during the system upgrade.”

Often used: temporarily closed · temporarily unavailable · temporarily suspended

TOEFL tip: 'Temporarily' warns that the situation will change; avoid options that describe a permanent closure or cancellation.

Officially acceptable and able to be used, usually for a stated period.

“This pass is valid for thirty days from the date of purchase.”

“Please bring a valid form of photo identification.”

Often used: valid for · valid until · a valid ticket

TOEFL tip: 'Valid for' signals duration and 'valid until' signals an end date — read the preposition carefully before choosing a date answer.

Allowed to have or do something because you meet the necessary conditions.

“Students enrolled full time are eligible for the transit discount.”

“You are not eligible to vote in the club election until you have paid your dues.”

Often used: eligible for · eligible to apply · eligibility requirements

TOEFL tip: Eligibility sentences carry the conditions ('if', 'provided that'); use them to answer 'Who can...?' questions in daily-life reading sets.

To come to the end of the period when something can legally or officially be used.

“Your library card expires on 30 June.”

“The discount code expires at midnight, so use it today.”

Often used: expire on/at · the offer expires · an expired pass

TOEFL tip: Distinguish 'expire' (stops being valid) from 'end' (simply finishes); questions about tickets, permits and coupons often hinge on this.

Required by a rule or law; not something you can choose.

“Attendance at the safety briefing is mandatory for all new staff.”

“A mandatory deposit of $50 is collected when you pick up the keys.”

Often used: mandatory training · mandatory for all · mandatory requirement

TOEFL tip: Notices often contrast 'mandatory' with 'recommended' or 'optional'; inference items test whether an action is obligatory or merely advised.

To tell someone about something officially, especially in advance.

“Tenants must notify the office of any repairs needed.”

“You will be notified by email once your order is ready.”

Often used: notify in writing · notify the office · be notified by email

TOEFL tip: 'Notify' often carries an obligation on the reader; check who must notify whom, as answer choices frequently reverse the direction.

Happening or existing before something else, especially as a requirement.

“Entry to the lab requires prior approval from the supervisor.”

“Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to the appointment.”

Often used: prior notice · prior approval · prior to

TOEFL tip: 'Prior to' = 'before'; ETS often paraphrases a formal notice with this simpler word in the correct answer.

Quickly and without delay, or exactly at the stated time.

“Please report any damage promptly to the caretaker.”

“The tour departs promptly at nine, so arrive early.”

Often used: respond promptly · begins promptly at · act promptly

TOEFL tip: 'Promptly at nine' means exactly nine, not around nine; this distinction appears in arrival-time questions.

To change the time or date that something was planned for.

“The workshop has been rescheduled for Thursday afternoon.”

“If you cannot attend, call the clinic to reschedule your appointment.”

Often used: reschedule an appointment · be rescheduled for · reschedule free of charge

TOEFL tip: When a notice announces a change, compare the original and new times carefully — distractors usually repeat the original date.

Except if; used to state the one condition that changes a rule.

“The gym closes at ten unless a class is scheduled.”

“Bags may not be left here unless they are clearly labelled.”

Often used: unless otherwise stated · unless you notify us · unless requested

TOEFL tip: 'Unless otherwise stated' means the general rule applies by default; watch for exceptions listed elsewhere in the notice.