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 Practice
Sign 1
Pool rules: You must shower before entering. No food or glass bottles in the pool area.
What does this sign suggest?
You must shower before entering, and food and glass bottles are allowed in the pool area.
You have to wash yourself first, and you cannot bring snacks or glass containers into this area.
You should shower before entering, but you can eat if you stay away from the water.
Sign 2
Library notice: Mobile phones must be on silent. Calls are not permitted inside reading rooms.
What does the text say?
Mobile phones must be on silent, so you can make calls inside the reading rooms.
You should turn your phone off because the library is closed to visitors today.
You have to keep your phone quiet, and you aren’t allowed to make calls in the reading rooms.
Sign 3
Gym safety: You must wear clean trainers. Outdoor shoes are not allowed on the exercise floor.
What does this sign suggest?
You have to use suitable indoor sports shoes, and you can’t wear shoes you used outside on this floor.
You should bring a towel because staff may refuse entry without one.
You must wear clean trainers, so outdoor shoes are allowed if they look clean.
Sign 4
Car park: Maximum stay 2 hours. Vehicles parked longer may be fined.
What does the notice tell drivers?
Maximum stay 2 hours means you must park for exactly two hours.
You can park here for up to two hours, and you could have to pay a penalty if you stay longer.
You should park here only in the evening because the car park closes after 2 hours.
Sign 5
Café request: Please queue here. You must pay before you sit down at a table.
What does the text say?
Please queue here, so you can sit down first and pay later.
You should wait at your table until a waiter comes to take your payment.
Stand in line in this spot, and make sure you pay first before taking a seat.
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.