--- title: "Goethe B1 Reading: Exercises, Format & Tips" description: "Reading (Lesen) in the Goethe-Zertifikat B1: all 5 parts explained – blog, newspaper articles, ads, reader comments and rules. Format, points, strategy and exercises with answers." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading.md" locale: "en" provider: "Goethe" level: "B1" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/goethe-zertifikat-deutsch-b1/leseverstehen.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/goethe-zertifikat-allemand-b1/comprehension-ecrite.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/goethe-zertifikat-tedesco-b1/lettura.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/goethe-zertifikat-aleman-b1/lectura.md" --- # Goethe-Zertifikat B1 – Reading (Lesen) > Reading (Lesen) in the Goethe-Zertifikat B1: all 5 parts explained – blog, newspaper articles, ads, reader comments and rules. Format, points, strategy and exercises with answers. ## Key takeaways - Reading has 5 parts with 30 tasks in total. - You read a blog, two newspaper articles, ads, reader comments and rules. - You have 65 minutes for the Reading module. Reading is one of the four modules of the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam. You read everyday texts – a blog or a personal message, newspaper articles, ads, reader comments and rules – and solve tasks about them. In total that’s 30 tasks in five parts. You have 65 minutes for it. At its core it’s about different reading styles: sometimes you search for a specific piece of information (selective), sometimes you grasp the main point (global), sometimes the details. You don’t have to understand every word, just recognize what it’s about and what is meant. The five parts have different tasks: in Part 1 you decide true/false on a blog, in Part 2 you solve multiple choice on two newspaper articles, in Part 3 you match people to suitable ads, in Part 4 you decide for/against on reader comments, in Part 5 you solve multiple choice on rules. Practice them separately. - Parts: 5 - Tasks: 30 - Points: 30 - Time: 65 min - to pass: ~60 % - Difficulty: medium (3/5) ## The parts at a glance - [Part 1 – Blog (T/F)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading/part-1) — True/False · Understanding personal texts · 6 Tasks · 6 Points. In Part 1 you read a blog or personal text and decide for each statement between true and false. Here’s how to find the information reliably. - [Part 2 – Articles (MC)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading/part-2) — Multiple choice · Detail comprehension · 6 Tasks · 6 Points. In Part 2 you read two newspaper articles and answer multiple-choice questions. Here’s how to find the right option. - [Part 3 – Ads](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading/part-3) — Ad matching · Comparing ads · 7 Tasks · 7 Points. In Part 3 you match seven people to the right ad. Here’s how to compare reliably and avoid the traps. - [Part 4 – Comments](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading/part-4) — For/Against · Understanding opinions · 7 Tasks · 7 Points. In Part 4 you read reader comments and decide whether each person is for or against. Here’s how to grasp the opinion reliably. - [Part 5 – Rules (MC)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading/part-5) — Multiple choice · Understanding rules · 4 Tasks · 4 Points. In Part 5 you read rules or instructions and answer multiple-choice questions. Here’s how to find the right rule. ## Tips & strategy - **Task first, then the text:** Read the statement or question first. That way you know what to look for in the text and read purposefully. - **Adapt your reading style per part:** Sometimes it’s about details (Parts 1, 2), sometimes the main point of a person (Parts 3, 4). Prepare for the task type in each part. - **In Part 3, check all conditions:** For the ads, the ad must really fit the person. Check place, time, price and wish – not just one matching word. - **Watch the opinion (Part 4):** For the reader comments, what counts is whether the person is for or against. Watch for judgements, “aber” and “trotzdem”. - **Budget time across five parts:** You have 65 minutes for five parts. Don’t cling too long to one task and keep an eye on the clock. - **Transfer to 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 B1 texts: - **Blog & personal texts** — a blog post or a longer message (Part 1). - **Newspaper & magazine articles** — short reports on a topic (Part 2). - **Ads** — small offers, e.g. course, trip, event (Part 3). - **Reader comments** — opinions of several people on a topic (Part 4). - **Rules & instructions** — house rules, instructions, notices (Part 5). ## Common topics The texts revolve around everyday and social topics. Prepare vocabulary for these areas: - **Work & training** — job, internship, application - **Home & environment** — flat, city, sustainability - **Media & technology** — internet, phone, social networks - **Leisure & health** — travel, sport, nutrition ## Free practice exercises - [Deutsche Welle – Learn German](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview) — Free reading texts and news in simple language at B1 level. - [Nachrichtenleicht](https://www.nachrichtenleicht.de/) — Current news in simple German – ideal for B1 reading practice. ## 1-week study plan - Day 1 – **Learn the format:** Read this guide and do a first reading practice test with the official Modellsatz – without time pressure, just to understand the structure. - Day 2 – **Parts 1 & 5:** Practice Part 1 (blog, true/false) and Part 5 (rules, multiple choice). Read the tasks first. - Day 3 – **Part 2 – newspaper articles:** Practice reading two articles and solving multiple-choice tasks. - Day 4 – **Part 3 – ads:** Practice matching people and ads. Check that all conditions really fit. - Day 5 – **Part 4 – reader comments:** Practice deciding for/against on opinion texts. Watch for judgements. - Day 6 – **Full reading part under time:** Work through all five parts in one go in 65 minutes and transfer your answers to an answer sheet. - Day 7 – **Analyze your mistakes:** Look at every mistake: which word was missing? Review your weakest part specifically. ## Are you ready? - I understand the important information in a blog post. - I solve multiple-choice tasks on newspaper articles. - I match people to the right ad and check all conditions. - I recognize in reader comments whether someone is for or against. - I understand rules and instructions and solve multiple choice on them. - I can finish all 30 tasks in 65 minutes. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many parts does Goethe B1 reading have? Five parts with 30 tasks in total: Part 1 (blog, true/false, 6), Part 2 (newspaper articles, multiple choice, 6), Part 3 (match ads, 7), Part 4 (reader comments for/against, 7) and Part 5 (rules, multiple choice, 4). ### How much time do I have for reading? The Reading module lasts 65 minutes. In the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 each module is timed separately, and you can also take the modules on different days. ### What does reading test? Whether you understand everyday and social texts – blog, articles, ads, comments and rules. Sometimes it’s about details, sometimes the main point or a person’s opinion. ### How many points do I need to pass? Each module is scored out of 100 points. To pass the Reading module you need at least 60 of 100 points (60 %). ### Can I use a dictionary in reading? No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam. ### What’s the best way to practice reading? Read German texts in simple language regularly and practice B1 vocabulary. At Prepliq you practice reading with realistic mock exams and get instant scoring; the interactive word list helps you lock in your vocabulary. ## Ready for the exam? [Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1?action=start§ionId=Reading%20Comprehension) ## Other exam parts - [Hören](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/listening) - [Schreiben](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/writing) - [Sprechen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/speaking) [Goethe-Zertifikat B1 – Reading (Lesen)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading)