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.
B1 Signs Exam Practice
Sign 1
Students must show a school ID to borrow a laptop from the library desk. No ID, no loan.
What does this sign suggest?
You should bring your ID because laptops are cheaper for students.
You must show a school ID to use a laptop inside the library, but you can’t borrow it.
You need to present your student card to take a laptop out of the library.
Sign 2
Caution: Wet floor after cleaning. Please use the handrail on the stairs.
What does the text say?
You should wait until the floor is completely dry before you walk anywhere.
The floor is wet only on the stairs, so you must not use the handrail.
Be careful because the floor may be slippery, and you are advised to hold the handrail.
Sign 3
No food or drink in the computer room. Water bottles must be left outside the door.
What does this sign suggest?
You can have food and drink in the computer room if you clean up afterwards.
You are not allowed to take anything to eat or drink into the computer room, including water.
No food or drink is available in the computer room, but you can bring a water bottle.
Sign 4
Gym members may use the pool only during staffed hours. Check the timetable at reception.
What does the notice mean?
You can swim in the pool only when staff are present, so you should look at the schedule.
You must go to reception before every swim to get permission from staff.
Gym members may use the pool at any time, but staff hours are shown at reception.
Sign 5
To enter the concert hall, you have to switch your phone to silent mode. Calls are not permitted inside.
What does the text say?
You should turn your phone off because there is no signal in the concert hall.
You have to use your phone in silent mode only during calls inside the hall.
You must put your phone on silent, and you are not allowed to make calls in the hall.
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.