Reading visual texts tests your ability to extract factual details from authentic Italian posters, notices, tickets, and timetables. In the Junior Cycle examination, you will scan these graphics to identify specific information such as dates, opening hours, prices, and rules, answering in English or Italian as directed.
Scanning Visual Stimuli
Posters and notices use layout and symbols to make the key information stand out.
- The main title (titolo) at the top gives the topic, event name, or venue.
- Recognisable symbols like clocks, calendars, and location pins flag times, dates, and addresses.
- Cognates are similar words across languages: concerto resembles concert. Use the surrounding text to check their meaning.
- Use nearby labels to check what each date, time, or price refers to.
Essential Public Signs and Rules
Public notices and signs use short, standard formulas to give instructions or outline conditions.
- Entrata / Uscita: Entrance / Exit.
- Aperto / Chiuso: Open / Closed.
- È vietato...: It is forbidden to, followed by an action (for example, È vietato fumare).
- Orario: Opening hours and timetables.
- Biglietteria: The ticket office where you buy your ticket (biglietto).
- Ingresso gratuito / Ingresso libero: Free admission, meaning you enter without paying.
- Biglietto intero / ridotto: Full-price ticket / reduced-price ticket. Concessions vary, so check who qualifies.
- Sconto: Discount or price reduction (for example, sconto del 10%).
Calendar, Times, and Prices
Exam questions frequently target precise numbers, calendar dates, and opening hours and timetables.
- Monday–Friday names end in -dì; all day names use lower case.
- Primo means 'first': primo luglio means 1 July.
- Giorni feriali means Monday to Saturday, excluding public holidays.
- Giorni festivi means Sundays and Italian public holidays.
- Italian timetables use the 24-hour clock. For hours 13–23, subtract 12: 19:30 = 7:30 p.m. Keep 12:30 as 12:30 p.m.
- Prices use a decimal comma rather than a point (€4,50 means €4.50).
- Look out for range words like da... a... (from... to...) and deadline markers like entro il... (by...).
Structuring Exact Answers
Junior Cycle marking schemes reward exact factual details taken straight from the stimulus.
- Follow the instruction stating the answer language. For Italian answers, select only the words needed to answer the question.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Chi | Who |
| Cosa / Che cosa | What |
| Quale / Quali | Which |
| Dove | Where |
| Quando | When |
| A che ora | At what time |
| Quanto | How much |
| Perché | Why |
- For Vero/Falso, check the statement against the text; follow instructions about marking your answer or explaining it.
- Watch for restriction phrases such as solo per bambini (only for children) or prenotazione obbligatoria (booking required).
- When asked for two details or activities, supply two distinct points from the stimulus.
Key terms
- Orario
- Opening hours, schedule, or timetable on an Italian notice or transport display.
- È vietato
- It is forbidden or prohibited; used on signs to state rules and restrictions.
- Giorni feriali
- Monday to Saturday, excluding public holidays.
- Giorni festivi
- Sundays and Italian public holidays on opening schedules and timetables.
- Biglietto intero / ridotto
- Full-price ticket / reduced-price ticket; eligibility concessions vary by venue.
- Ingresso libero / gratuito
- Free entry or admission to an event or venue without charge.
- Uscita
- Exit; the way out of a building, station, or car park.
- Sconto
- A discount or price reduction deducted from the standard cost.
Check yourself
What does 'Ingresso gratuito solo per studenti' mean in English?
Free entry only for students.
If a train timetable lists services for 'giorni festivi', when do those trains run?
On Sundays and Italian public holidays.
What time is 21:30 on a 12-hour clock?
9:30 p.m.
Translate 'venerdì primo agosto' into English.
Friday 1st August.
In a question asking 'Quale città?', what specific information must you find?
Which city.