A museum label contains several kinds of information: what an object is, what it is made from and sometimes where it comes from or when it was made. You do not need to translate every word to find one useful detail. This worksheet uses an invented label and conversation, so it makes no claim about a real collection.
Read the label
Κεραμικό αγγείο
Υλικό: πηλός
Αίθουσα 2 — Προθήκη 4
Κεραμικό αγγείο means ceramic vessel. Υλικό means material, and πηλός means clay. Αίθουσα 2 identifies room 2; προθήκη 4 identifies display case 4. These numbers locate the exhibit in this exercise. They are not its age, price or catalogue date.
Keep the visitor words separate
Το μουσείο is the museum, η αίθουσα a room or hall, το έκθεμα an exhibit and η προθήκη a display case. Η είσοδος is the entrance and η έξοδος the exit. A question about the room and a question about the object need different words: Πού είναι η αίθουσα δύο; asks where room two is, while Τι είναι αυτό; asks what this is.
Ask a member of staff
Επισκέπτρια: Πού είναι η αίθουσα δύο;
Υπάλληλος: Στον πρώτο όροφο.
Επισκέπτρια: Ευχαριστώ. Μπορώ να βγάλω φωτογραφίες;
The visitor asks where room two is. The staff member answers that it is on the first floor. The visitor then asks whether she can take photographs. Μπορώ να βγάλω φωτογραφίες; is a request for permission; the dialogue does not include an answer. Do not interpret the question itself as permission.
Find four details
- What material does the label name: πηλός or ξύλο?
- Which number identifies the room: 2 or 4?
- Does the label state when the vessel was made?
- Which question asks about photography: Πού είναι η αίθουσα δύο; or Μπορώ να βγάλω φωτογραφίες;
Show the answers
1. πηλός, clay; ξύλο means wood. 2. Room 2; 4 is the display case. 3. No date is supplied. 4. Μπορώ να βγάλω φωτογραφίες;
Read for one purpose
Cover the explanation and look for the material only. Then look again for the room and display case. Finally, practise the room question with three instead of two: Πού είναι η αίθουσα τρία; Keeping one purpose in mind helps you decide which part of a short label matters for your question.
Practise more Greek signs and learn how to ask permission or request help.