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.
Signs Mixed Exercise
Sign 1
Staff must wear name badges at all times in this building. Visitors should ask at reception for help.
What does this sign suggest?
Staff wear name badges only at reception, and visitors must ask staff for help.
Employees are required to keep their ID badge on, and visitors can get assistance at reception.
Staff should wear a name badge only when customers are present, to look professional.
Sign 2
Warning: Wet floor near the entrance. Please walk slowly and use the handrail on the steps.
What does the text say?
You should avoid the entrance completely until the floor is dry.
The entrance floor is wet only on the steps, so you must use the handrail near the door.
Be careful because the floor is slippery, so move slowly and hold the rail on the stairs.
Sign 3
No food or drink in the computer room. Water bottles are not permitted near the keyboards.
What does this sign suggest?
You are not allowed to eat or drink in the computer room, even water close to the computers.
No food or drink is allowed unless it is only water in a bottle.
You can have drinks in the computer room if you keep them on the floor.
Sign 4
Gym members can bring one guest on Saturdays only. Guests must sign in and show photo ID.
What does the notice tell gym users?
Members can bring guests on Saturdays, but guests do not need to sign in if they have photo ID.
Members are allowed to bring one visitor only on Saturdays, and the visitor has to register and show ID.
Members can bring one guest any day, as long as the guest signs in with photo ID.
Sign 5
Train delayed due to technical problems. Passengers should wait on platform 2 until further notice.
What does this sign suggest?
The train is delayed only on platform 2 because of technical problems.
Passengers must take a different train immediately because this one has been cancelled.
The train is running late, and travellers are advised to stay on platform 2 for 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.
Keep practising Cambridge English B1
Reading at every level
More Cambridge English B1 skills
Cambridge English Exam Resources
More Cambridge English exam preparation tools from our family of apps:
Made with by Shining Apps
The best Cambridge English apps ever
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.