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.
Articles in Public Notices
Sign 1
A visitor must wear an ID badge at all times inside the building. Ask at reception for a badge.
What does this sign suggest?
Visitors should wear an ID badge only when they are in the reception area.
A visitor must ask at reception only after wearing an ID badge at all times.
Visitors have to keep a badge on while they are in the building, and they can get one at reception.
Sign 2
Please switch off the lights when you leave a classroom. It helps save energy.
What does the notice say?
Please switch off the lights only if you leave a classroom early.
You should turn the lights off as you go out, to reduce electricity use.
You must leave the classroom lights on to help save energy.
Sign 3
Do not leave a bag on the seat. Keep it on the floor to allow other passengers to sit.
What does this sign suggest?
You mustn’t put your bag on a seat because someone else may need the space.
Do not leave a bag on the seat unless other passengers want to sit.
Passengers should keep bags on seats so other passengers can sit.
Sign 4
For your safety, you must use the handrail on the stairs. The steps may be wet.
What does the notice mean?
You can use the handrail only if the steps are wet.
You have to hold the rail when using the stairs because the stairs could be slippery.
For your safety, you must use the stairs because the steps may be wet.
Sign 5
Only one person at a time is permitted in the lift. Please wait for the next one.
What does this sign suggest?
People should wait for the next lift because this one is out of order.
The lift can be used by just one person each trip, so others should wait.
Only one person is permitted to use the lift next time, but two can go now.
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.