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.
Warnings at a Historical Site
Sign 1
Warning: Uneven stone steps. Wear shoes with good grip and hold the handrail where possible.
What does this sign suggest?
Be careful on the steps and use safe footwear and the handrail if you can.
Uneven stone steps are possible, so you can wear any shoes and avoid the handrail.
The steps are closed today, so visitors should use a different entrance.
Sign 2
Health notice: In hot weather, you should drink water often. Free refills are available at the visitor centre.
What does the text say?
It recommends drinking regularly when it’s hot, and says you can get more water at the visitor centre.
The visitor centre sells water, so you must buy a bottle before you enter.
In hot weather, you should drink water often only at the visitor centre.
Sign 3
Do not touch the walls or paintings. Old surfaces can contain dust that may irritate your skin or eyes.
What does this sign suggest?
You should wear gloves so you are allowed to touch the walls and paintings.
You must avoid touching the old surfaces because the dust could cause irritation.
You must touch the walls and paintings carefully because the surfaces are old.
Sign 4
Caution: Low doorway ahead. Tall visitors should bend down to avoid hitting their head.
What does this sign suggest?
The doorway is low, so tall visitors should stand up straight to pass through.
Only tall visitors are allowed to go through this doorway.
If you are tall, you need to duck because the doorway is low.
Sign 5
For your health, you must not enter the underground tunnel if you have breathing problems or feel unwell.
What does this sign suggest?
People who are ill or have breathing difficulties should avoid going into the tunnel.
If you have breathing problems, you must enter the tunnel quickly and leave at once.
You must not enter the underground tunnel, even if you feel well.
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.