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.
Community Centre Timetable Signs
Sign 1
Yoga class starts at 6:30 p.m. Please arrive 10 minutes early to sign in at reception.
What does this sign suggest?
Yoga class starts at 6:30 p.m., so you must arrive at 6:30 p.m. to sign in.
You can sign in after the class starts because reception stays open during the lesson.
You should come a little before 6:30 p.m. so you can register before the yoga class begins.
Sign 2
Swimming pool: Family session 2–4 p.m. Lane swimming only before 2 p.m.
What does the text say?
From 2 to 4 p.m., the pool is for families, and before 2 p.m. it is only for people swimming lengths.
The pool is open only from 2 to 4 p.m. for both families and lane swimmers.
Family session is only before 2 p.m., and lane swimming is from 2 to 4 p.m.
Sign 3
Computer room closes at 7 p.m. Last entry is 6:45 p.m. No one can enter after that.
What does this sign suggest?
You must go into the computer room by 6:45 p.m. because entry is not permitted after that time.
Last entry is 6:45 p.m., so you should leave the computer room at 6:45 p.m.
The computer room closes at 7 p.m., so you can enter until 7 p.m.
Sign 4
Community café: Hot meals served 12–2 p.m. Drinks and snacks available all day.
What does the text say?
Hot meals served 12–2 p.m., so drinks and snacks are also only available 12–2 p.m.
You can buy a cooked meal only between 12 and 2 p.m., but you can get drinks and small food at any time.
The café serves hot meals all day, but drinks are available only from 12 to 2 p.m.
Sign 5
Reception desk open Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Weekend enquiries: email us and we will reply Monday.
What does this sign suggest?
Reception desk open Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m., so you must email Monday to Friday.
You can speak to reception only on weekdays, and at weekends you should email because you will get an answer on Monday.
Reception is open at weekends, but they only reply to emails on Monday.
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.