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.
Cambridge B1 Signs Practice
Sign 1
Staff only beyond this door. Visitors must wait in the reception area until called.
What does this sign suggest?
Visitors must wait beyond this door in the reception area until called.
Visitors should go through the door and ask staff for help at reception.
Visitors are not permitted to go past this door and should stay in reception until someone invites them.
Sign 2
Please keep your ticket. You may have to show it again when leaving the platform.
What does the text say?
Don’t throw your ticket away because staff might ask to see it again before you exit.
You may have to keep your ticket only when leaving the platform.
You must show your ticket again every time you leave the platform.
Sign 3
Wet floor after cleaning. Walk carefully and use the handrail on the stairs.
What does this sign suggest?
You should wait until the floor is completely dry before you walk here.
The floor is wet after cleaning, so you must not use the stairs or the handrail.
Be careful because the floor is slippery, and hold the rail when you go up or down the stairs.
Sign 4
Cyclists must dismount here. Bicycles are not allowed on the bridge.
What does this notice mean?
Cyclists must dismount on the bridge because bicycles are allowed there.
People on bikes have to get off and walk, because riding across the bridge is forbidden.
Cyclists should ride slowly on the bridge to avoid accidents.
Sign 5
To enter the gym, members have to scan their card. No entry without a valid membership.
What does the sign say?
Members have to scan their card, so entry is free with a valid membership.
You can enter the gym without scanning if you show your card to staff.
You must use your membership card to get in, and only current members are allowed to enter.
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.