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 Public Signs
Sign 1
Please keep your receipt. You may need it to return items within 14 days.
What does this sign suggest?
You can return items whenever you want, but only if you have a receipt.
Keep your receipt for 14 days, then you must return all items.
Keep the receipt because it is required if you want to take something back within two weeks.
Sign 2
Staff only beyond this door. Visitors must wait in the reception area.
What does the text say?
Visitors can go beyond this door if they wait in reception first.
Visitors are not allowed past this door and should stay in reception until staff help them.
Staff must wait in the reception area before going through this door.
Sign 3
Caution: Wet floor. Please walk slowly and use the handrail on the stairs.
What does this sign suggest?
The floor is wet only on the stairs, so you must use the handrail.
Be careful because the floor is slippery, so move slowly and hold the rail on the stairs.
You should avoid the stairs completely because the floor will stay wet all day.
Sign 4
Bicycles can be parked here for up to 2 hours. Please lock your bike securely.
What does the text say?
You can park your bike here all day as long as it is locked.
Bicycles can be parked here for 2 hours only if they are not locked.
You are allowed to leave your bike here for a maximum of two hours, and you should lock it.
Sign 5
To enter the pool, you must shower first. Swim caps are required for long hair.
What does this notice say?
You must shower in the pool first, and swim caps are optional for long hair.
You have to rinse off before going into the pool, and people with long hair must wear a swim cap.
You should shower first, but only children with long hair have to wear swim caps.
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.