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.
Fire Safety at a Stadium
Sign 1
In an emergency, leave by the nearest exit. Do not stop to collect bags or coats.
What does this sign suggest?
You should take your bags with you so nobody steals them while you are outside.
You should leave immediately using the closest exit and not waste time taking your belongings.
In an emergency, leave by the nearest exit and collect bags and coats first.
Sign 2
Fire doors must be kept closed. Do not wedge them open, even during busy matches.
What does the text say?
You should only close fire doors if you can see smoke or flames.
Fire doors must be kept open during busy matches to help people leave faster.
You are not allowed to keep fire doors open; they should stay shut at all times.
Sign 3
If the alarm sounds, follow staff instructions and move calmly to your seating section’s exit.
What does this sign suggest?
When you hear the alarm, you should do what staff tell you and go quietly to the correct exit.
If the alarm sounds, staff instructions are optional, but you must move to your seating section.
When the alarm sounds, you should run to the main entrance because it is the biggest exit.
Sign 4
Do not use lifts during a fire. Use the stairs and keep to the right.
What does this notice mean?
You should use the stairs only if the lifts are full.
In a fire, you must take the stairs, not the lift, and stay on the right side.
During a fire, use the lifts and keep to the right to avoid the stairs.
Sign 5
Keep gangways clear at all times. Bags must not be left on steps or in front of seats.
What does the text say?
You must not block walkways or steps with bags because people need a clear way through.
You should put your bag in front of your seat so it is easy to find after the match.
Keep gangways clear at all times by leaving bags on the steps in front of seats.
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.
Keep practising Cambridge English B1
Reading at every level
More Cambridge English B1 skills
Cambridge English Exam Resources
More Cambridge English exam preparation tools from our family of apps:
Made with by Shining Apps
The best Cambridge English apps ever
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.