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.
Hotel Pool Emergency Notices
Sign 1
In an emergency, press the red alarm button by the pool gates and tell reception immediately.
What does this sign suggest?
In an emergency, you should leave the hotel and call the police from outside.
Press the red alarm button at reception before you go to the pool gates.
If something urgent happens, use the alarm near the pool entrance and inform reception straight away.
Sign 2
If you hear the continuous alarm, leave the pool area at once and go to the main lobby.
What does the text say?
If you hear the continuous alarm, you can stay in the pool area until staff arrive.
When the alarm keeps sounding, you must exit the pool area immediately and meet in the main lobby.
If you hear the continuous alarm, go to the lobby only after you have finished swimming.
Sign 3
Lifebuoy for emergency use only. Do not remove it unless someone is in danger.
What does this sign suggest?
You must remove the lifebuoy for emergency use only when the pool is open.
You should only take the lifebuoy if there is a real emergency and someone needs help.
If someone is in danger, you should throw the lifebuoy back into its holder.
Sign 4
Pool closed during thunderstorms. Guests must leave the water when the warning light is flashing.
What does the text say?
When there is a storm and the light is flashing, swimmers have to get out because the pool is shut.
The pool is closed during thunderstorms, so guests must enter the water only when the warning light is flashing.
The pool is closed every evening, and guests must leave the water when it gets dark.
Sign 5
First aid kit is at the pool bar. Ask staff for help—do not treat serious injuries yourself.
What does this notice suggest?
The first aid kit is at the pool bar, so you must treat serious injuries yourself.
For major injuries, you should get staff assistance and use the first aid kit kept at the pool bar.
If you feel better, you can take the first aid kit from the pool bar and keep it in your room.
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.