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.
First Aid Notices in a School Canteen
Sign 1
First aid box is in the kitchen office. Ask a staff member if you need plasters or antiseptic wipes.
What does this notice suggest?
You should go to the school nurse for plasters because the canteen does not keep any first aid items.
If you need basic first aid items, you should request them from staff in the kitchen office.
The first aid box is in the kitchen office, so students must take plasters and wipes by themselves.
Sign 2
If you cut yourself, wash the wound under cold running water for 2 minutes, then tell a member of staff.
What does the text say?
If you cut yourself, you must use hot water and soap before you can continue eating.
If you cut yourself, wash the wound under cold running water for 2 minutes, then do not tell staff.
After rinsing the cut with cold water for a short time, you should inform staff.
Sign 3
Choking emergency: If someone can’t breathe, call reception immediately and ask for the first aider.
What does this sign suggest?
If someone is choking, you should take them outside for fresh air before you contact anyone.
If a person is choking and cannot breathe, you should phone reception at once and request a trained helper.
If someone can’t breathe, call reception immediately to ask for the first aider to eat slowly.
Sign 4
Burns: Hold the burned area under cool water for at least 10 minutes. Do not put butter or cream on it.
What does the notice mean?
For a burn, you should cool it with water for 10 minutes or more and avoid using creams like butter.
For burns, you must use butter first, then cool the skin under water for 10 minutes.
For a burn, hold it under cool water for at least 10 minutes and then put cream on it.
Sign 5
All accidents, even small ones, must be reported to canteen staff before you leave the dining hall.
What does this notice say?
All accidents, even small ones, must be reported after you leave the dining hall.
You have to tell canteen staff about any accident, including minor ones, before you go out.
Only serious accidents must be reported to canteen staff before you leave the dining 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.