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.
Mixed Public Signs
Sign 1
Staff only beyond this door. Visitors must wait in the reception area.
What does this sign suggest?
Visitors are not allowed to go past this door and should stay in reception.
Visitors must wait beyond this door in the reception area.
Visitors should check in at reception if they want to meet staff.
Sign 2
Please keep your ticket until you leave the station. Inspectors may ask to see it.
What does the text say?
You can throw your ticket away after you get on the train.
You should hold on to your ticket because you might need to show it later.
Please keep your ticket only if an inspector is at the station.
Sign 3
Wet floor: cleaning in progress. Walk carefully and use the handrail on the stairs.
What does this sign suggest?
The floor is wet, so the stairs are closed until cleaning finishes.
Be careful because the floor is slippery, and hold the rail on the stairs.
Wet floor cleaning is in progress, so you must not walk on the stairs.
Sign 4
Gym rule: You must wear clean indoor shoes. Outdoor trainers are not permitted on the sports floor.
What does the notice say?
You must wear clean indoor shoes outdoors before entering the gym.
You have to use clean shoes inside, and you can’t wear outdoor trainers on the sports floor.
Outdoor trainers are permitted if they are clean indoor shoes.
Sign 5
Café notice: Tables are for customers only. Please order at the counter before sitting down.
What does this sign suggest?
You should buy something first, because seating is only for people who have ordered.
Tables are for customers only, so you can sit down and order later.
You can reserve a table by ordering at the counter, even if you are not a customer.
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.
