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Lesson A2 · Elementary Grammar

Library Rules: Must, Have To and Should Practice

Read six library signs and answer 12 A2 questions on rules, advice and common misunderstandings. Write three helpful tips and compare model answers.

6 min read 962 words Updated Nov 2, 2026
A newcomer reads an information board in a calm public library.
On this page (13 sections)

Your goal

Read a set of fictional library signs. Find what is required, forbidden and optional, then give useful advice. Allow about 25 minutes. First read the signs without a dictionary; then use the word help if needed.

Word help

  • borrow: take something for a short time and return it

  • closed: not open

  • booking: an arranged time to use something

  • librarian: a person who works in a library

Read the six signs

1. Library card

You must bring your library card to borrow books. Show it at the desk. You do not need a card to read here.

2. Quiet area

You must not make phone calls in the quiet area. If you need to talk, please go outside before you call.

3. Food and water

You must not eat at the reading desks. You can bring water in a closed bottle. Please keep your desk clean.

4. Computers

You have to book a computer before you use it. Each booking lasts thirty minutes. Ask at the desk to book.

5. Headphones

You do not have to bring headphones. The library has some you can borrow. They are useful when you watch videos.

6. Help

You should ask a librarian if you cannot find a book. We are happy to help you choose something to read.

Six icons summarize library-card, phone-call, water, computer-booking, headphone and help information.
Use the full signs for the details: a card is needed to borrow books, and water must be in a closed bottle.

Understand and use the rules

Answer all 12 questions from the signs. The explanations identify the sign and explain the meaning.

Your turn 0 of 12 answered

Answer on paper, then open the explanations below. Enable JavaScript to check answers here.

1 Which action needs a library card?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Borrowing books

Sign 1 says you must bring your card to borrow books, but you do not need one to read there.

2 You want to make a phone call. What must you do?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Go outside first

Sign 2 tells callers to go outside before calling.

3 Which drink is allowed at the reading desks?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Water in a closed bottle

Sign 3 explicitly allows water in a closed bottle.

4 Before using a computer, you ___.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

have to book

Sign 4 makes a booking necessary.

5 How long is one computer booking?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Thirty minutes

Sign 4 states that each booking lasts thirty minutes.

6 Headphones from home are ___.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

optional

Sign 5 says you do not have to bring headphones because you can borrow some.

7 “You should ask a librarian” is ___.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

advice

Should gives a recommendation: asking for help is a good idea.

8 Complete the rule: You ___ eat at the reading desks.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

mustn’t

Sign 3 forbids eating. Don’t have to would mean eating was optional.

9 Complete the meaning: You ___ bring your own headphones.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

don’t have to

Your own headphones are not necessary; borrowing is possible.

10 Mia says: “No card means I cannot read in the library.” Is she right?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

No. A card is not needed just to read there.

Sign 1 separates borrowing from reading in the library.

11 Leo says: “I mustn’t bring headphones because I can borrow some.” What is wrong?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

He confuses optional with forbidden.

Not having to bring something does not mean it is banned.

12 Which advice fits a reader who cannot find a book?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

You should ask a librarian.

Sign 6 offers this helpful action; the other options conflict with the rules.

Write three tips for a new visitor

Write one sentence about a necessary action, one about something optional and one piece of advice. Use must/have to, don’t have to and should. This writing is self-checked: compare the models and the checklist; it is not automatically graded.

Your turn · self-review

Three model tips

Your wording can differ if the meaning agrees with the signs.

Practice only. Your writing stays on this page; it is not submitted or saved.

  1. Model answer and explanation

    You have to book a computer before you use it.

  2. Model answer and explanation

    You don’t have to bring headphones because you can borrow some.

  3. Model answer and explanation

    You should ask a librarian if you cannot find a book.

Why these models work

The first model gives a real requirement from sign 4. The second keeps the choice in sign 5: bringing headphones is allowed but unnecessary. The third offers the advice from sign 6. Do not turn the optional action into a ban.

Self-check

  • I answered using the signs, not my own library’s rules.

  • I used mustn’t for a ban and don’t have to for no necessity.

  • I used a base verb after should and must.

  • My three tips have different purposes and match the source.

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