Reading Signs and Notices

What does a sign with 'PUSH' on a door mean?

• APull the door
• BDo not enter
• CPush the door✓
• DExit here

Answer: PUSH means you should push the door to open it. A sign with 'PULL' means you pull the door. Do not enter means you cannot go in.

What does 'CLOSED' mean on a shop door?

• AThe shop is open
• BThe staff are having lunch
• CYou can go inside
• DThe shop is not open✓

Answer: CLOSED means the shop is not open. You cannot go in. 'OPEN' means the shop is open and you can go in.

You see a sign that says 'Danger' with a picture of fire. What should you do?

• AGo closer
• BStay away from this area✓
• CIgnore the sign and keep walking
• DTouch it

Answer: A 'Danger' sign means you should stay away. It is warning you that something is not safe. Do not go closer or touch anything.

What does 'PLEASE QUEUE HERE' mean?

• AWalk to the front
• BSit down and wait here
• CStand in a line✓
• DLeave the shop now

Answer: QUEUE means to stand in a line and wait. This sign tells you where to stand to wait your turn. Queue (British English) and line (American English) mean the same thing.

You see a sign that says 'OPEN 9am-5pm'. When can you go in?

• AAt the weekend, on Saturday
• BEarly in the morning at 8am
• CBetween 9am and 5pm✓
• DAt 6pm, after work

Answer: The shop is open from 9am to 5pm. Before 9am and after 5pm, it is closed. You must go during these times.

What does 'NO SMOKING' mean?

• ASmoking is allowed here
• BSmoke in the corner
• CSmoking is free here
• DYou cannot smoke here✓

Answer: NO SMOKING means you cannot smoke in that place. It is a rule to protect people's health.

You see a sign 'TOILETS'. What will you find there?

• ABooks and magazines
• BClothes
• CFood and drinks
• DBathrooms✓

Answer: TOILETS (or RESTROOMS/WC) is a sign for bathrooms. You can use the toilet there. In British English, it is called a toilet.

What does 'EXIT' mean?

• AWay out✓
• BEntrance
• CStop here
• DDanger

Answer: EXIT means the way out. You use the exit to leave a building. 'ENTRANCE' means the way in.

You see a sign 'NO ENTRY'. What does it mean?

• AOnly children can enter
• BYou can enter
• CYou cannot go in✓
• DEnter from another door

Answer: NO ENTRY means you cannot go in that way. There is another entrance you should use.

A sign says 'SLIPPERY FLOOR'. What should you do?

• ARun quickly
• BIgnore the warning
• CSlide on it
• DWalk carefully✓

Answer: SLIPPERY FLOOR means the floor is wet or icy. You should walk carefully because you might fall.

What does 'FRAGILE' on a box mean?

• AThe box is very strong
• BThe box is empty inside
• CThe box breaks easily✓
• DThe box is heavy to lift

Answer: FRAGILE means the things inside break easily. You must handle the box very carefully. Do not drop it.

You see 'PRICE £5.99'. What does this mean?

• AThe item is free to take
• BThe item is on sale this week
• CThe item costs £99 in total
• DThe item costs £5.99✓

Answer: The price is £5.99. This is how much money you must pay. £ is the British pound symbol.

A notice says 'CLOSED FOR REPAIRS'. When can you go in?

• AAfter the repairs are finished✓
• BToday, at the usual opening time
• CNever, the shop has closed for good
• DTomorrow morning when the shop opens

Answer: The place is closed until the repairs are finished. It will open again after the work is done. You cannot go in now.

What does a sign 'DO NOT TOUCH' mean?

• AYou cannot touch it✓
• BOnly touch if you are brave
• CTouch it quickly
• DYou can touch it

Answer: DO NOT TOUCH means you must not touch something. It could be dangerous or expensive.

You see a sign 'KEEP OUT'. What should you do?

• AGo slowly
• BDo not go in✓
• COnly children can enter
• DGo inside

Answer: KEEP OUT means you should not go in. It is a strong warning. The area is not safe or not open to the public.

A sign says 'WC'. What is this?

• AA shop
• BA bathroom✓
• CA classroom
• DA restaurant

Answer: WC stands for 'Water Closet' (an old British term for toilet/bathroom). In many countries, you will see 'WC' instead of 'TOILET'.

What does 'RESERVED' on a table mean?

• AFood is served free at this table
• BAnyone can sit down at this table
• CThe restaurant is closed this evening
• DThis table is for a specific person✓

Answer: RESERVED means the table is for a specific person who has booked it. You cannot sit there.

You see 'STAFF ONLY'. What does this mean?

• AOnly customers can go here
• BEveryone can go here
• COnly workers can go here✓
• DChildren cannot go here

Answer: STAFF ONLY means only workers (employees) can enter. Customers cannot go in.

A notice says 'EMERGENCY CALL 999'. Why might you see this?

• ATo call the police, ambulance or fire service✓
• BTo call the weather and travel service
• CTo call a taxi to take you home
• DTo order food from a restaurant

Answer: 999 is the emergency number in the UK. You call it for the police, ambulance, or fire service. This sign is where there is an emergency phone.

What does 'WHEELCHAIR ACCESS' mean?

• AOnly wheelchairs are allowed inside
• BPeople in wheelchairs can enter✓
• CWheelchairs are not allowed here
• DWheelchairs are sold here

Answer: WHEELCHAIR ACCESS means people in wheelchairs can enter and move around. The building is accessible for people with mobility needs.

You see a sign 'LOADING ZONE - DO NOT PARK'. What should you do?

• APark your car there for free
• BDo not park your car there✓
• CLeave your car there all day
• DWait there for a taxi to come

Answer: A loading zone is only for loading and unloading. You cannot park your car there. If you park there, you may get a fine.

A notice says 'BEST BEFORE 31.03.2026'. What does this mean?

• AThe product is safe to eat for many years
• BThe food is at its best quality before this date✓
• CYou should eat it on this exact date
• DThe product costs nothing after this date

Answer: BEST BEFORE is about quality, not safety. The food is at its best up to this date. After it, the food is usually still safe to eat, but it may not taste as good. USE BY is the safety date - never eat food after its use-by date.

What does 'HAND WASH ONLY' on clothing mean?

• AUse a washing machine
• BWash it in very hot water
• CDo not wash it, just brush it clean
• DWash by hand, not in a machine✓

Answer: HAND WASH ONLY means you must wash the clothes by hand. Do not put them in a washing machine. They are delicate.

You see 'CCTV IN OPERATION'. What does this mean?

• ACameras are recording in this place✓
• BThis building is a television station
• CThe security cameras are not working
• DThere are no cameras in this place

Answer: CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) means security cameras are recording. You are being watched. This is for security.

A sign says 'STRICTLY NO ALCOHOL'. What does this mean?

• AYou cannot drink alcohol here✓
• BYou can drink alcohol in this area
• CAlcohol is free for everyone here
• DAlcohol is sold at the bar here

Answer: This means you cannot drink or bring alcohol to this place. It is a strict rule. You can get in trouble if you break it.