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.
Weather Warnings Notices
Sign 1
Weather warning: Heavy rain expected tonight. Please allow extra travel time and arrive at least 15 minutes early.
What does this sign suggest?
The film will start 15 minutes later tonight because of heavy rain.
You should leave earlier because bad weather may slow your journey to the cinema.
Heavy rain is expected tonight, so you must arrive exactly 15 minutes early.
Sign 2
Storm alert: For your safety, the car park may close at 9 p.m. Please use public transport if possible.
What does the text say?
For your safety, public transport may close at 9 p.m., so you should use the car park.
The car park is closed at 9 p.m. for safety, so public transport is not permitted.
Because of the storm, you might not be able to park here later, so taking a bus or train is recommended.
Sign 3
High winds: The roof terrace is closed today. Please stay inside the main building until further notice.
What does this notice say?
You are not allowed to go onto the terrace today, and you should remain indoors for now.
You should avoid the terrace, but you can go there if you are careful.
High winds are closed today, so the roof terrace is open until further notice.
Sign 4
Snow and ice: Steps may be slippery. Use the ramp at the side entrance and hold the handrail.
What does this sign suggest?
Snow and ice are slippery, so you must use the steps at the side entrance.
You should avoid the steps and use the safer entrance because the ground could be dangerous.
You can use the steps if you walk slowly, because the ramp is closed.
Sign 5
Heatwave: The air conditioning is working harder. Please keep doors closed to help the cinema stay cool.
What does the notice advise people to do?
You should shut the doors so the building can remain cooler during the hot weather.
Please keep doors closed, which means you are not allowed to enter the cinema.
The air conditioning is closed because of the heatwave, so you must keep the doors open.
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.
