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.
Beach Safety Signs
Sign 1
Strong currents today. You should swim between the red and yellow flags, and stay close to shore.
What does this sign suggest?
You must not swim at the beach today because the sea is dangerous.
Strong currents today mean you should swim far from shore between the red and yellow flags.
It is safer to swim only in the marked area and not too far out.
Sign 2
No lifeguard on duty after 6 p.m. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
What does the text say?
Children must be supervised only if they are swimming in deep water.
No lifeguard on duty after 6 p.m. means children can swim alone at all times.
After 6 p.m., an adult needs to watch children because there is no lifeguard.
Sign 3
Jellyfish reported in this area. You should wear water shoes and avoid touching anything in the water.
What does this sign suggest?
Jellyfish reported means you should touch jellyfish only with water shoes on.
You should wear water shoes because the beach is very hot today.
Be careful in the sea: protect your feet and don’t touch sea animals or objects.
Sign 4
Red flag flying: swimming is not permitted. You must stay out of the water until the flag is removed.
What does the text say?
You should swim only in shallow water when the red flag is flying.
You are not allowed to swim while the red flag is up.
Red flag flying means swimming is permitted until the flag is removed.
Sign 5
For your safety, you must not dive from the rocks. Use the steps to enter the water.
What does this sign suggest?
Don’t jump into the sea from the rocks; go in using the steps instead.
For your safety, you must dive from the rocks and use the steps to enter the water.
You should dive from the rocks only when the water is deep enough.
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.