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.
Sun Safety Trail Signs
Sign 1
Strong sun today: wear a hat and sunscreen. You should also carry at least 1 litre of water.
What does this sign suggest?
You should avoid the trail today because there is no drinking water available.
Wear a hat and sunscreen, but you must carry exactly 1 litre of water.
Protect yourself from the sun and bring enough water for the walk.
Sign 2
UV levels are high between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you can, walk early or late.
What does the text say?
You must not hike at any time today because UV levels are high.
It is better to hike outside the middle of the day because the sun is strongest then.
UV levels are high at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. only, so those are the dangerous times.
Sign 3
Please reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, especially after heavy sweating or using a towel.
What does this notice suggest?
Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours only if you use a towel.
You should use sunscreen once at the start because it lasts all day.
Put sunscreen on again regularly, and do it sooner if you sweat a lot.
Sign 4
No shade on the next 5 km. Sunglasses are recommended to protect your eyes.
What does this sign suggest?
There is shade for the next 5 km, so sunglasses are not needed.
Sunglasses are required because shade is not permitted on this trail.
The next part of the trail is fully exposed to the sun, so eye protection is a good idea.
Sign 5
Refill point closed today. You must bring your own water and avoid alcohol in the sun.
What does the notice mean?
You must bring your own alcohol because the refill point is closed.
The refill point is closed today, but you can still get water if you buy alcohol.
Since you can’t refill water here today, you need to carry your own and not drink alcohol while hiking.
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.