Reading a Timetable
BasicFind the day first, then the lesson.
- Timetable reading: find the day down the column, then the time across the row.
- Rule of thumb: Day + period = subject.
- Answer in full sentences: The second lesson on Tuesday is Chinese.
文體小知識：Read schedules.
§Text Passage
1Here is a sample weekly timetable for a P5 student. Monday: Maths, English, Chinese, Science, PE. Tuesday: English, Chinese, Maths, Music, Art. Wednesday: Chinese, Maths, English, Computer, Music. Thursday: Maths, English, Chinese, Science, PE. Friday: English, Chinese, Maths, Art, History.
2The first period starts at eight o'clock every day. Lunch is from 12:30 to 1:30 every day. There is a 10-minute break after the second lesson. On Wednesdays, the afternoon lesson is Computer, and we all love it. We have PE twice a week, on Monday and Thursday. My favourite subject is English. I like Fridays because the day ends with History, my second favourite.
3After school, I have different activities. I go to the library on Tuesday and Friday to read. On Saturday morning, I have a swimming lesson. At the weekend, I also have time to relax with my family. A good timetable helps me manage my time well. I can see clearly what to do next. My favourite day is Friday because the weekend begins! What does your timetable look like?
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
Here is a sample weekly timetable for a P5 student.
這個是一個小五學生的一週時間表示例。
Monday: Maths, English, Chinese, Science, PE.
星期一：數學、英文、中文、科學、體育。
Tuesday: English, Chinese, Maths, Music, Art.
星期二：英文、中文、數學、音樂、視藝。
Wednesday: Chinese, Maths, English, Computer, Music.
星期三：中文、數學、英文、電腦、音樂。
Thursday: Maths, English, Chinese, Science, PE.
星期四：數學、英文、中文、科學、體育。
Friday: English, Chinese, Maths, Art, History.
星期五：英文、中文、數學、視藝、歷史。
The first period starts at eight o'clock every day.
每日第一節課八點開始。
Lunch is from 12:30 to 1:30 every day.
每日午餐時間是十二點半至一點半。
There is a 10-minute break after the second lesson.
第二節課之後有十分鐘小息。
On Wednesdays, the afternoon lesson is Computer, and we all love it.
逢星期三下午是電腦課，大家都好喜歡。
We have PE twice a week, on Monday and Thursday.
我們一星期有兩日體育課，星期一同星期四。
My favourite subject is English.
我最喜歡的科目是英文。
I like Fridays because the day ends with History, my second favourite.
我喜歡星期五，因為最後一堂是歷史——我第二喜歡的科目。
After school, I have different activities.
放學之後，我有不同的活動。
I go to the library on Tuesday and Friday to read.
我星期二同星期五會去圖書館看書。
On Saturday morning, I have a swimming lesson.
星期六早上我要上游泳班。
At the weekend, I also have time to relax with my family.
週末我還有時間和家人一起放鬆一下。
A good timetable helps me manage my time well.
好的時間表幫我好好管理時間。
I can see clearly what to do next.
我可以清楚知道接著要做什麼。
My favourite day is Friday because the weekend begins!
我最喜歡星期五，因為週末就要開始了！
What does your timetable look like?
你的時間表又是怎麼樣？
1Summary 重點摘要
Find the day first, then the lesson.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Schedule.
Lesson slot.
Rest.
Midday meal.
Lesson topic.
Day.
Clock.
A class period.
3Step by step Steps
- RowsThe rows of a timetable usually stand for times or periods, arranged from top to bottom. Example: The first row shows the times of the lessons. Before reading, confirm whether the rows show times or subjects, because timetables differ in design. Move a finger or a pen tip along the row to avoid jumping lines. If the table has a morning part and an afternoon part, decide which part you need before you start searching.
- ColumnsThe columns usually stand for days or subjects. Example: Each column stands for one day of the week. The days run from Monday to Friday in order. After you find the column of the day you need, that column contains all of that day's lessons. The crossing point of a column and a row is the subject of one period on one day, and this is the basic principle of reading any timetable.
- ReadThe formula for reading a timetable is: day plus period equals subject. For example, the second box of Wednesday is the second lesson on Wednesday. Example: The third lesson on Monday is Chinese. Find the day by reading down first, then count across for the period; the order of the two steps must not change. Subject names always begin with a capital letter, such as Maths and Chinese. After reading, say the answer once more to confirm the position before you write it down.
- TipA practical skill is to circle the time and the day you are looking for before you start. Example: Circle Tuesday and the third row before you start. Circling keeps your eyes focused and stops you from missing or mixing lines in a dense table. In tests, circle the day and the period named in the question first, then search in the two steps; both your speed and your accuracy will improve. Finally, compare the circled answer with the question once more to make sure they match.
- A real exampleExample: to find out what lessons are on Wednesday, look for the Wednesday column first, then read down: Chinese, Maths, English, Computer, Music. Move box by box in order and do not skip any. If the question asks about a certain period, count to that box. This route of reading down and then across works for all timetable questions; once you have practised it well, you can find the answer within seconds, which is a useful skill in both tests and daily life.
- Count lessons to find gapsCount the subjects day by day to discover which day has gaps. Example: Monday has Maths, English, Chinese, Science and PE, five lessons in all. Count with a pen tip box by box to avoid repeating or missing any. A gap is a period with no lesson, which may mean lunch or a self-study session. Comparing the numbers across days also answers questions like which day has the most lessons; whispering each subject name while counting makes mistakes less likely.
5Worked example Example
Question: What is the second lesson on Tuesday? How do we find it on the timetable?
- Step 1: Find the day in the columns and locate the Tuesday column first.
- Step 2: Move down the column and count the periods; the second lesson is the second box.
- Step 3: Read the subject in that box; for example, Tuesday runs English, Chinese, Maths, so the second box is Chinese.
- Step 4: Check that you have not slipped into another column, for example by comparing with the Monday column.
- Step 5: Answer in a full sentence — The second lesson on Tuesday is Chinese.
- Answer: Answer: The second lesson on Tuesday is Chinese. (Find Tuesday in the columns first, then count down to the second box.)
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Timetable has?
Q2Period 1?
Q3Break?
Q4Lunch?
Q5Subject?
Q6Time format?
Q7When is swimming?
Q8When does the first period start?
Q9When does the writer go to the library?
8Recap Recap
- Timetable reading: find the day down the column, then the time across the row.
- Rule of thumb: Day + period = subject.
- Answer in full sentences: The second lesson on Tuesday is Chinese.
- Watch the length of each lesson and the breaks.
- Know morning from afternoon: 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.