---
title: "telc B1 Reading (Leseverstehen): Exercises & Tips"
description: "Reading (Leseverstehen) in the telc German B1 exam: all 3 parts explained – format, points, strategy and exercises. Master matching and multiple choice with confidence."
canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1/reading"
url: "https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1/reading.md"
locale: "en"
provider: "TELC"
level: "B1"
alternates:
  de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/telc-deutsch-b1/leseverstehen.md"
  en: "https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1/reading.md"
---

# telc German B1 – Reading (Leseverstehen)

> Reading (Leseverstehen) in the telc German B1 exam: all 3 parts explained – format, points, strategy and exercises. Master matching and multiple choice with confidence.

## Key takeaways

- Reading has 3 parts with 20 tasks in total and 75 points.
- It tests three reading styles: gist (Part 1), detail (Part 2) and selective reading (Part 3).
- You need about 60 % of the points to pass – the biggest hurdle is speed.

Reading is the first part of the written telc B1 exam and the highest-scoring one: you can earn 75 points here – more than in any other single part. It has three parts with 20 tasks in total. Together with the Sprachbausteine (language elements) you have 90 minutes; plan around 60 of those for reading.

At its core, reading is a search task, not a vocabulary test. The texts come from everyday life – newspaper articles, ads, notices, brochures – and you don’t have to understand every word, just find the spot that answers a question. It gets tricky because the correct answer is usually paraphrased: the same statement in different words. Anyone who only looks for matching words falls for the distractors.

The three parts call for three different reading styles: in Part 1 you skim short texts and identify the main idea, in Part 2 you read a longer text closely and compare each option with the content, in Part 3 you scan many short ads for specific details. Practice them separately – being good at one part barely helps with the next.

- Parts: 3
- Tasks: 20
- Points: 75
- Time: 60 min
- to pass: ~60 %
- Difficulty: moderate (3/5)

## The parts at a glance

- [Part 1 – Matching headings](https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1/reading/part-1) — Matching · Gist reading · 5 Tasks · 25 Points. In Part 1 you match the right heading to five short texts. Here’s how the part is built – and how to avoid the typical traps.
- [Part 2 – Multiple choice](https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1/reading/part-2) — Multiple choice · Detail comprehension · 5 Tasks · 25 Points. In Part 2 you read a longer text and answer five multiple-choice questions. Here’s how to find the right option and spot the distractors.
- [Part 3 – Matching ads](https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1/reading/part-3) — Matching (with “x”) · Selective reading · 10 Tasks · 25 Points. In Part 3 you match ten everyday situations to the right ads. Important: sometimes no ad fits – then the answer is “x”.

## Tips & strategy

- **Budget your time wisely:** Reading and Sprachbausteine share 90 minutes. Keep an eye on the clock and decide in advance how much time you give each part.
- **Train three reading styles:** Part 1 needs skimming, Part 2 close reading and Part 3 targeted scanning. Practice all three separately.
- **Never leave a box blank:** There is no penalty for wrong answers. Guess rather than leave a task open.
- **Meaning beats keyword:** Don’t be led by a shared word. What matters is whether the statement fits the text – not whether a word appears in both.
- **Read functionally, not every word:** Watch for key signals: names, numbers, dates, places and connectors (deshalb, aber, trotzdem). They lead you quickly to the right information without reading every word.
- **Don’t forget the answer sheet:** Only the answer sheet is graded. Transfer your answers in good time, not in the final seconds.

## Common text types

In the reading part you’ll meet typical everyday texts:

- **Newspaper and magazine articles** — reports about events, studies or trends.
- **Ads and classifieds** — short offers in Part 3 (courses, services, travel).
- **Advice and information texts** — tips and factual information.
- **Formal and informal letters** — private and official messages.

## Common topics

The texts usually revolve around everyday and factual topics. Prepare vocabulary for these areas:

- **Work & career** — job applications, the workplace, further training
- **Housing** — flat hunting, neighbors, moving house
- **Travel & transport** — trains, holidays, accommodation
- **Health** — doctor, nutrition, sport
- **Environment** — recycling, energy, nature
- **Leisure & media** — courses, internet, events

## Free practice exercises

- [Deutsche Welle – Learn German](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview) — Free, up-to-date reading and listening texts at B1 level for daily practice.
- [Nicos Weg B1 (Deutsche Welle)](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/nicos-weg/c-36519718) — Free online course with reading and listening exercises at B1 level.

## 1-week study plan

- Day 1 – **Learn the format:** Read this guide and do a first official reading practice test – without time pressure, just to understand the structure.
- Day 2 – **Part 1 – gist:** Practice skimming: read short news items and put the main idea into one sentence. Train matching headings to texts.
- Day 3 – **Part 2 – detail:** Practice close reading on a longer text. Focus on paraphrases and on actively ruling out wrong options.
- Day 4 – **Part 3 – selective reading:** Train scanning through ads. Practice the “x” in particular, for when no ad fits.
- Day 5 – **Vocabulary & pace:** Review your B1 vocabulary with the word list and practice time management: set a timer for each part.
- Day 6 – **Full reading part under time:** Work through all three parts in one go under time pressure – like the real exam. Transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
- Day 7 – **Analyze your mistakes:** Look at every mistake: why was the answer wrong? Review your weakest part specifically and do one last short test.

## Are you ready?

- I can identify the main idea of a short text in under a minute.
- I can see through distractors that only repeat single words from the text.
- I can locate the exact spot in a longer text that answers a question.
- I recognize paraphrases – the same statement in different words.
- I confidently use the “x” in Part 3 when no ad fits.
- I can finish all 20 tasks within the time limit.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many parts does telc B1 reading have?

Three parts with 20 tasks in total: Part 1 (matching headings), Part 2 (multiple choice) and Part 3 (matching ads).

### How many points are there in the reading part?

You can earn 75 points in reading. It therefore contributes a large share of the written exam.

### How many points do I need to pass?

Reading has no pass mark of its own: it counts towards the written exam (reading, Sprachbausteine, listening, writing), where you need at least 135 of 225 points. The oral exam is passed separately, with at least 45 of 75 points. As a guide, the 60 % mark in reading corresponds to about 45 of 75 points.

### How many mistakes can I make?

There is no fixed mistake limit per part. Since you need around 60 % to pass, you should get at least about 12 of 20 reading tasks right – so at most around 8 mistakes. You can also offset weaknesses in reading with the other written parts.

### How much time do I have for the reading part?

Reading and Sprachbausteine are done together in one 90-minute block. There is no fixed split; plan about 60 minutes for the three reading parts.

### What’s the best way to practice reading?

Read short German texts regularly – for example the Deutsche Welle news – and work through full practice tests under time. At Prepliq you practice reading with realistic mock exams and get instant scoring; the interactive word list helps you lock in your B1 vocabulary.

### What can I do if I read too slowly?

Train skimming and scanning specifically instead of reading every word. Read the tasks first and then the text – that way you search purposefully for the right information. Practice this under real time conditions with a Prepliq mock that simulates the exam clock.

### Can I use a dictionary in the reading part?

No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the telc German B1 exam.

## Check if you’re ready for this exam section

Practice in an exam-like format with real time limits, get an assessment modelled on the official criteria, and see where you still need work.

- Exam-like task format with real time limits
- Assessment modelled on the official exam criteria
- This exam part as a model test, results right away
- Every answer explained right after the test

[Practice this section on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1)

*Free to try · No account needed*

## Other exam parts

- [Sprachbausteine](https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1/sprachbausteine)
- [Hörverstehen](https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1/listening)
- [Schriftlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1/writing)
- [Mündlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1/speaking)

[telc German B1 – Reading (Leseverstehen)](https://prepliq.com/en/model-test/telc-german-b1/reading)