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.
Library Rules & Warnings
Sign 1
Please keep your voice low in the reading area. Phone calls must be taken outside the library building.
What does this sign suggest?
You can take phone calls inside if you whisper in the reading area.
Phone calls must be taken outside the reading area, but you can talk loudly in the library.
You should speak quietly here, and you have to make calls outside.
Sign 2
Food and hot drinks are not permitted near computers. Water bottles with caps are allowed.
What does the notice tell visitors?
Hot drinks are not permitted near computers, but food is allowed if you are careful.
All drinks are allowed near computers, but hot drinks are not permitted.
You may bring water with a lid, but you cannot have food or hot drinks by the computers.
Sign 3
Library cards must be shown at the desk before borrowing. Without a card, you can only read books inside.
What does this sign say?
Without a card, you must borrow books to read them inside the library.
To take books home, you have to show your library card; otherwise you may only use books in the library.
You must show your library card after borrowing, but you can take books home without it.
Sign 4
Caution: Wet floor near the entrance after rain. Please walk, don’t run, and use the handrail on the steps.
What does the notice advise people to do?
Be careful because the floor may be slippery, so you should walk slowly and hold the handrail.
After rain, the entrance is closed, so you have to use another door.
Wet floor is near the entrance, so you must run to get past it quickly.
Sign 5
Group study rooms: You must book online at least 24 hours in advance. Walk-ins cannot be accepted.
What does the notice mean?
You must book online only 24 hours after you use the room.
You have to reserve these rooms a day before; you can’t just arrive and take one.
Walk-ins can be accepted if you book online when you arrive.
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.