StudyBrixFree worksheets, study guides and courses

Reading & writing · Grades 5–7

The sign that pointed both ways

An original passage with comprehension questions and a teacher key.

Make a worksheet

The sign that pointed both ways

A sign for the school exhibition could be read from either side. The designer placed a right-pointing arrow on both faces. On the morning of the exhibition, visitors approaching from one direction turned correctly, while visitors from the other direction walked toward the storage room. The words were clear, but the arrow's meaning changed with the reader's approach. The team tested the sign from both paths and replaced one arrow. Their final checklist included viewing direction as well as spelling and colour.

Try it yourself

  1. What was wrong with the original sign?

    1. The exhibition had no name.
    2. The same arrow direction misdirected readers approaching from opposite sides.
    3. The letters were all missing.
    4. Both arrows were invisible.

  2. Why did checking spelling alone not reveal the problem?

  3. Which test helped find the solution?

    1. Counting the sign's letters
    2. Changing the exhibition name
    3. Approaching from both paths
    4. Reading only from the designer's seat

  4. Explain how the passage illustrates the value of considering different users.

  5. Where did the misdirected visitors walk?

  1. Suggest one more practical check for the final sign.

Answers and marking notes

Answers and marking notes
  1. The same arrow direction misdirected readers approaching from opposite sides.

    An arrow must be interpreted from the reader's position.

  2. The wording could be correct while the directional information was wrong for one approach.

    Credit different dimensions of usability.

  3. Approaching from both paths

    The team tested actual viewing contexts.

  4. Visitors approached from different directions and therefore interpreted the same design differently.

    Credit a user-context difference, not a claim that all users read differently.

  5. toward the storage room

    The passage names that destination.

  6. Check visibility at the intended distance, obstruction, lighting or legibility.

    Accept a relevant usability check not already reduced to spelling alone.

Preview material · independent educational review required. Grade bands are approximate, not official curriculum alignment.