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.
Time and Schedule Notices
Sign 1
Ticket office closed from 2–4 p.m. Please buy your ticket online or use the machine by the entrance.
What does this notice say?
You cannot buy tickets at the counter for two hours, so you should use the website or the ticket machine.
The ticket machine by the entrance is broken, so you have to buy tickets online.
Ticket office open from 2–4 p.m., and you must buy your ticket online.
Sign 2
Quiet zone until 3 p.m. Please don’t make phone calls while lessons are in progress.
What does this sign suggest?
You should avoid calling anyone here before 3 p.m. because classes are happening.
Phone calls are allowed in this quiet zone until 3 p.m.
You must leave the building until 3 p.m. because lessons are in progress.
Sign 3
Next train delayed by 2 hours due to repairs. You may wait inside the main hall.
What does the notice tell passengers?
The next train takes 2 hours to reach its destination because of repairs.
The train will arrive much later than planned, and passengers are allowed to stay in the main hall.
Passengers must wait outside for 2 hours because the main hall is closed.
Sign 4
For the next two hours, lift out of service. Please use the stairs.
What does this sign mean?
The lift cannot be used for two hours, so people should take the stairs instead.
The lift is out of service for the next two hours, but you can still use it carefully.
You must use the lift for the next two hours because the stairs are closed.
Sign 5
Swimming pool closed for the next 2 hours for cleaning. Please come back later.
What does this notice say?
You cannot use the pool right now because it is being cleaned, but it will reopen later.
You must clean the pool for 2 hours before you are allowed to swim.
The swimming pool is open for the next 2 hours, and cleaning will start later.
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.