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.
Conference Centre Notices
Sign 1
Conference rooms open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please leave the building by 6:15 p.m. each day.
What does this notice tell guests?
You should arrive before 8 a.m. to get a seat in the conference rooms.
You can use the conference rooms during the day, but you must leave shortly after they close.
Conference rooms open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so you can stay in the building until 8 p.m.
Sign 2
Reception desk closes at 7 p.m. After that, you must use the night entrance and your room key.
What does this sign suggest?
Reception desk closes at 7 p.m., so you must collect your key at 7 p.m.
If you arrive late, you have to enter through the night door using your key.
You should wait at reception after 7 p.m. until a staff member comes back.
Sign 3
Coffee break served 10:30–11:00. Please arrive on time; service ends at 11:00 sharp.
What does the notice say?
You must stay for the whole coffee break from 10:30 to 11:00.
You should come before 11:00 because refreshments will not be available after that time.
Coffee break served 10:30–11:00, so you can get coffee any time after 11:00.
Sign 4
Workshops start promptly. Late guests may not be allowed to enter once the session begins.
What does this sign suggest?
Late guests may not be allowed to enter, so you are allowed to come late.
Workshops start promptly, so you must leave the room as soon as the session begins.
You should arrive on time because you might be refused entry if you are late.
Sign 5
Building closed on Sunday. Saturday opening hours: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. only.
What does this notice tell visitors?
Building closed on Sunday, so it is open all day on Saturday.
Saturday opening hours: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. only, so you can enter after 1 p.m. if you are a guest.
You can visit on Saturday morning, but the centre is not open on Sunday.
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.