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.
Hospital Waiting Room Notices
Sign 1
Please switch your phone to silent mode. Calls are not permitted in the waiting room.
What does this notice say?
Calls are permitted in the waiting room if your phone is on silent mode.
You must keep your phone quiet and you are not allowed to make calls here.
You should only make short calls so you don’t disturb other patients.
Sign 2
For hygiene reasons, you must use hand gel before entering the treatment area.
What does this sign suggest?
You must use hand gel only after you enter the treatment area.
You should wash your hands at home before coming to the hospital.
You have to clean your hands with gel before you go into the treatment area.
Sign 3
Children must stay with an adult at all times. Do not let them run in the corridor.
What does this notice mean?
Children are not allowed in the corridor unless they are visiting a patient.
Adults must supervise children and stop them from running in the corridor.
Children must run only in the corridor and stay with an adult at all times.
Sign 4
Please do not eat hot food here. Drinks with lids are allowed.
What does the text say?
You should avoid eating anything because the waiting room must stay clean.
You can have covered drinks, but you mustn’t eat hot meals in this area.
Hot food is allowed here if you also buy a drink with a lid.
Sign 5
Seats are for patients only. Family members should stand if the room is busy.
What does this notice suggest?
Seats are for family members only, and patients should stand if the room is busy.
Only patients should use the chairs, and visitors are advised to stand when it’s crowded.
Everyone can sit, but family members must stand near the door.
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.