Reading - Signs & Notices
B1
Cambridge English B1 Exam
Look at the text of each sign. What does it suggest? Select the option that best captures the meaning of the sign.
Cambridge B1 Signs Practice
Sign 1
Students must show their ID card to borrow laptops from the library desk. No exceptions.
What does this notice say?
Students must borrow laptops with an ID card, but exceptions are allowed.
To take a laptop, students have to present their student identification.
Students should show their ID card only if they want to borrow books as well.
Sign 2
Caution: Wet floor after cleaning. Please use the side entrance until the floor is dry.
What does this sign suggest?
The floor is wet only at the side entrance after cleaning.
It is safer to go in through another door for now because the floor may be slippery.
You must wait outside until the floor is completely dry.
Sign 3
Cyclists may use this path, but they must give way to pedestrians at all times.
What does the text say?
Bikes are allowed here, but walkers always have priority.
Pedestrians should give way to cyclists because it is a cycle path.
Cyclists must use this path, and pedestrians may use it only sometimes.
Sign 4
No food or drink in the computer room. Water bottles are not permitted near the machines.
What does this notice mean?
Food and drink are allowed in the computer room, but only water bottles are not permitted.
You can drink water here if you keep the bottle away from the computers.
You are not allowed to have anything to eat or drink in this room, including water.
Sign 5
Visitors should keep their bags with them. The staff cannot take responsibility for lost items.
What does this notice suggest?
Visitors can leave bags here, but the staff will take responsibility for lost items.
Take care of your belongings because employees won’t replace them if they go missing.
Staff should keep visitors’ bags with them to prevent lost items.
About Reading Signs & Notices — Cambridge English B1
This Cambridge English B1 Reading Signs & Notices exercise shows short public messages — signs, labels, emails and notes. For each one, choose the option that best explains its meaning.
It tests your understanding of everyday English and the real purpose behind short, functional messages you meet in daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Reading Signs & Notices?
You read a short message such as a sign, label or note and choose the option that best explains what it means or wants you to do.
What does it test?
Understanding the purpose and meaning of short, real-world English messages.
Any tips for Signs & Notices?
Ask yourself who wrote the message and why — the correct option matches its real purpose, not just individual words in it.
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What to do
This part of the reading test consists of five images with messages. Each image has 3 possible answer options. What does the notice say?
Read the notices and messages first. Don’t look at the choices until you understand the texts.
Compare each option with the text before choosing your answer. Remember that the wrong, answers might seem to be correct at first, so it is important to read the chosen option again to check that the meanings match.
Strategy
- Read the text and decide what situation it could appear in.
- Look at the images, the design often suggests the correct answer.
- Read the three options.
- Compare each option with the text before choosing an answer.
- Read the chosen option again to be sure it is a right answer.