English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate » Unit 99: The language of signs and notices

Word List
  • alight
  • auditorium
  • declare
  • dismount
  • display
  • entry
  • health warning
  • litter
  • minor
  • penalty
  • permit
  • personnel
  • prohibited
  • prosecute
  • reduce
  • refrain
  • serve
  • trespasser
  • unaccompanied
  • unauthorised
  • vehicle
  • admission
Exercises

99.1 ‣ Where would you expect to see each of the notices on the opposite page?

  2. _____
  3. _____
  4. _____
  5. _____
  6. _____
  7. _____
  8. _____
  9. _____
  10. _____
  11. _____
  12. _____
  13. _____
  14. _____
  15. _____

99.2 ‣ Match the words on the left with their meanings on the right.

  1. to prosecute
  2. a penalty _____
  3. a purchase _____
  4. a trespasser _____
  5. to refrain _____
  6. to alight from _____
  7. to prohibit _____
  8. an auditorium _____
  9. to dismount _____
  10. a minor _____
  11. a vehicle _____
  1. a) a young person under the age of 18
  2. b) to get off a bicycle or a horse
  3. c) to bring a legal case against
  4. d) not to do something
  5. e) to forbid something
  6. f) a means of transport
  7. g) a punishment
  8. h) something which has been or is to be bought
  9. i) to get off a means of public transport
  10. j) a large place where an audience sits
  11. k) someone who goes on private land without permission

99.3 ‣ Where might you see each of these notices? Explain what they mean.



  2. _____

  3. _____

  4. _____

  5. _____

  6. _____

  7. _____

  8. _____

  9. _____

  10. _____

  11. _____

99.4 ‣ What notice would a café-owner or a shop-owner put up if they wanted to:

  1. indicate that their café was now open for breakfast?
  2. let people know that the staff can speak Spanish?
    _____
  3. prohibit people under 18 from entering unless they are with an adult?
    _____
  4. ask customers not to enter the kitchen or the work area?
    _____
  5. announce that they will take people who steal anything to court?
    _____
  6. ask people politely not to handle the food or goods?
    _____

99.5 ‣

Over to you

Look at the notices in your own language that you see around you every day. How would they be expressed in English? Try to find out, if they are not included in this unit. Also, look out for any signs in English in non-English-speaking countries. See if you can work out what they mean.
Answer Key
‣

Signs and notices in English often use words and expressions that are rarely seen in other contexts. Look at the signs and notices below with their 'translations' into more everyday English.


  1. Get off here for Buckingham Palace.

  2. People who walk on this private land will be taken to court.

  3. Please don't use mobile phones in the theatre/hall.

  4. You can be taken to court and made to pay £1000 for dropping rubbish.

  5. You can buy lunch here now.

  6. Young people under 18 years old can only come in if they are with an adult.

  7. You are not allowed to feed the animals.

  8. There is no way out at the other end of this road for cars.

  9. You may not enter without permission or if you do not work here.

  10. Please put the things you are going to buy / have bought here.

  11. What is in this packet is officially considered bad for your health.

  12. Start going more slowly now.

  13. Buy a ticket and put it in a place where it can easily be seen.

  14. Cyclists should get off their bikes here.

  15. Only people with special cards giving them permission are allowed to fish here.

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