Act 1 is a gauntlet of industrial hazards. You'll immediately encounter conveyor belts that can either help or hinder your progress, as well as crushing pistons that require precise timing to pass. Watch out for the Ball Hog enemies, which drop spiked balls; destroy them quickly or avoid their projectiles. Electric barriers are also common; they activate and deactivate, so time your movements to pass when they are off.
There are many sections with fire traps that shoot flames periodically. Observe their patterns and move through quickly. A hidden 1-Up Monitor can be found: after a section with several conveyor belts and crushing pistons, you'll come to a vertical shaft. Instead of going up, look for a small opening to the left at the bottom, which leads to the extra life. This Act demands constant vigilance and quick reactions to survive the onslaught of traps and enemies.