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 Signs Multiple Choice
Sign 1
Staff only beyond this door. Visitors must wait in the reception area.
What does this sign suggest?
Visitors should ask for a map before entering the staff area.
Visitors must wait beyond this door in the reception area.
Visitors are not permitted to go past this door and should stay in reception.
Sign 2
Please use headphones. You must not play videos with sound in this library.
What does the text say?
You can play videos aloud if you keep the volume low.
In this library, you are required to use headphones if you want to listen to audio.
Please use headphones to play videos with sound in this library.
Sign 3
Wet floor after cleaning. You should walk slowly and use the handrail on the stairs.
What does this sign suggest?
You should walk slowly after cleaning only if you are using the stairs.
Be careful because the floor is slippery, so move slowly and hold the rail on the stairs.
The floor is wet after cleaning, so you should clean it again.
Sign 4
Ticket office closed at 6 p.m. You can buy tickets from the machine at any time.
What does the notice mean?
After 6 p.m., you must use the ticket machine because the office is not open.
The ticket office is closed at 6 p.m., so you can buy tickets only until 6 p.m.
You should arrive before 6 p.m. because the machines may not work later.
Sign 5
Cyclists must use the cycle lane. Riding on the pavement is not allowed.
What does this sign suggest?
People on bikes have to ride in the cycle lane and cannot cycle on the pavement.
Cyclists should use the cycle lane only when there are many cars.
Cyclists must use the pavement lane because the cycle lane is not allowed.
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.