Notices, Posters, Menus, Timetables (Junior Cert French): Revision Notes
Notices, Posters, Menus, Timetables
What are these text types?
These are practical, everyday French texts you'll encounter when travelling, dining, or navigating French-speaking environments. In Junior Cycle exams, you'll need to extract specific information like times, prices, rules, or events from these authentic materials.
Notices provide important information about opening hours, rules, or warnings
Posters advertise events, activities, or services with key details like dates and locations
Menus list food and drink options with prices and descriptions
Timetables show transport schedules, school timetables, or event programmes
These text types appear frequently in Junior Cycle French exams because they represent real-world situations where you need to understand practical information quickly and accurately.
Vocabulary bank
| French | English |
|---|---|
| fermé / ouvert | closed / open |
| entrée / sortie | entrance / exit |
| interdit / défense de... | forbidden / no... |
| attention / danger | warning / danger |
| horaire / l'emploi du temps | timetable / schedule |
| le train / l'avion / le bus | train / plane / bus |
| départ / arrivée | departure / arrival |
| quai / voie | platform / track |
| un menu / la carte | a menu / the menu |
| plat du jour | dish of the day |
| boisson / eau / jus de fruit | drink / water / fruit juice |
| petit déjeuner / déjeuner / dîner | breakfast / lunch / dinner |
| gratuit / payant | free / paying (not free) |
| place / siège | seat |
| jour férié | public holiday |
Phrase bank
| French | English |
|---|---|
| La piscine est fermée le lundi | The swimming pool is closed on Mondays |
| Défense de fumer | No smoking |
| Plat du jour : poulet rôti avec légumes | Dish of the day: roast chicken with vegetables |
| Le train en direction de Lyon partira à 14h32, voie 5 | The train to Lyon will leave at 2:32pm from platform 5 |
| Ouvert tous les jours sauf dimanche | Open every day except Sunday |
| Réservation obligatoire | Booking required |
| Entrée gratuite | Free entry |
Worked Example: Reading a Train Timetable
Text: "Le train en direction de Lyon partira à 14h32, voie 5"
Step 1: Identify the destination - Lyon
Step 2: Find the departure time - 14h32 (2:32pm)
Step 3: Locate the platform - voie 5 (platform 5)
Answer: The train to Lyon leaves at 2:32pm from platform 5.
Common subjects you'll find
Notices → opening and closing times, rules, safety warnings
Posters → upcoming events, dates, places, times
Menus → food items, drinks, prices, special offers
Timetables → transport schedules, school timetables, events
Typical exam questions
Critical Exam Information
You might be asked about:
- Opening and closing times of shops, restaurants, or transport
- Which day a place is closed
- What the dish of the day is
- Which platform a train leaves from
- What rule or restriction is mentioned on a notice
- When an event takes place
False friends and trap words
Common Mistakes to Avoid
jour (day) vs. journée (the whole day) - context matters
libre (free, available) vs. gratuit (free of charge) - very different meanings
actuel (current) vs. actual (false friend) - doesn't mean "actual" in English
carte (menu, map, card) - context is key; in restaurants it means menu, not card
collège (secondary school, ages 11-15) - not the same as university college
Remember: Always check context. "Carte" in a restaurant means menu, not a card!
Strategies and tips
Quick Scanning Strategy
Scan quickly for numbers like times, dates, prices, and platform numbers - these often contain the answers.
Visual Clues
Look for headings and capital letters as they usually highlight the main information you need.
Restriction Words
Watch for restrictions - words like "interdit" or "défense de" signal important rules or warnings.
Menu Focus
For menus, focus on food and drink terms, especially "plat du jour" which appears frequently in exams.
Timetable Strategy
For timetables, concentrate on times and destinations rather than getting distracted by extra details.
Poster Information
For posters, events typically include three key pieces of information: date, place, and activity.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Numbers (times, prices, platforms) often contain your answers
- Context helps you understand whether "carte" means menu or map
- "Gratuit" means free of charge, while "libre" means available
- Capital letters and headings show the most important information
- Always check if a place is "fermé" (closed) on certain days