--- title: "Goethe B2 Reading: Exercises, Format & Tips" description: "Reading (Lesen) in the Goethe-Zertifikat B2: all 5 parts explained – forum posts, an article with gaps, a newspaper article, opinions and regulations. Format, points, strategy and exercises with answers." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/reading" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/reading.md" locale: "en" provider: "Goethe" level: "B2" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/goethe-zertifikat-deutsch-b2/leseverstehen.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/reading.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/goethe-zertifikat-allemand-b2/comprehension-ecrite.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/goethe-zertifikat-tedesco-b2/lettura.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/goethe-zertifikat-aleman-b2/lectura.md" --- # Goethe-Zertifikat B2 – Reading (Lesen) > Reading (Lesen) in the Goethe-Zertifikat B2: all 5 parts explained – forum posts, an article with gaps, a newspaper article, opinions and regulations. Format, points, strategy and exercises with answers. ## Key takeaways - Reading has 5 parts with 30 tasks in total. - You read forum posts, an article with gaps, a newspaper article, opinions and a set of regulations. - You have 65 minutes for the Reading module. Reading is one of the four modules of the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 exam. You read demanding texts – forum posts, a magazine article, a newspaper article, opinion statements and a formal text (e.g. a set of regulations) – 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 at a high level: you match statements to people, recognize the logic of a text (gaps), understand details, grasp opinions and find the right rule in formal texts. You don’t have to understand every word, but you must recognize stances, connections and fine distinctions. The five parts have different tasks: in Part 1 you match statements to four forum posts, in Part 2 you insert sentences into the gaps of an article, in Part 3 you solve multiple choice on a newspaper article, in Part 4 you match statements to opinion texts, in Part 5 you find the right rule in a set of regulations. Practice them separately. - Parts: 5 - Tasks: 30 - Points: 30 - Time: 65 min - to pass: ~60 % - Difficulty: hard (4/5) ## The parts at a glance - [Part 1 – Forum posts](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/reading/part-1) — Matching · Matching opinions · 9 Tasks · 9 Points. In Part 1 you read four forum posts on a topic and match nine statements to the people. Here’s how to grasp the stances reliably. - [Part 2 – Gap-fill](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/reading/part-2) — Sentence insertion · Recognizing text logic · 6 Tasks · 6 Points. In Part 2 you insert sentences into the gaps of an article. Here’s how to recognize which sentence belongs where. - [Part 3 – Article (MC)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/reading/part-3) — Multiple choice · Detail comprehension · 6 Tasks · 6 Points. In Part 3 you read a longer newspaper article and answer multiple-choice questions. Here’s how to find the right option. - [Part 4 – Opinions](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/reading/part-4) — Matching · Matching opinions · 6 Tasks · 6 Points. In Part 4 you read several short opinion texts and match statements to the people. Here’s how to grasp the positions reliably. - [Part 5 – Regulations](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/reading/part-5) — Selective reading · Finding rules · 3 Tasks · 3 Points. In Part 5 you read a formal text such as regulations and answer questions about it. 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 you match statements (Parts 1, 4), sometimes you watch the text logic (Part 2), details (Part 3) or rules (Part 5). Prepare for the task type. - **In Part 2, watch the connections:** In the gap-fill, connectors and reference words (“dieser”, “deshalb”, “dagegen”) show which sentence fits which gap. - **Grasp opinions exactly (Parts 1, 4):** For forum posts and opinions, each person’s exact stance counts. Watch for judgements and qualifications. - **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 B2 texts: - **Forum posts** — several people comment on a topic (Part 1). - **Magazine article with gaps** — a factual text from which sentences were removed (Part 2). - **Newspaper article** — a longer report or feature (Part 3). - **Opinions & comments** — short statements from several people (Part 4). - **Regulations & rules** — a formal text such as study or house regulations (Part 5). ## Common topics The texts revolve around abstract everyday and social topics. Prepare vocabulary for these areas: - **Work & education** — job, studies, training, career - **Society & environment** — community, sustainability, consumption - **Science & technology** — research, digitalization, health - **Culture & lifestyle** — travel, media, trends, values ## Free practice exercises - [Deutsche Welle – Top-Thema](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview) — Free articles and reports at a higher level for B2 reading practice. - [Deutschlandfunk](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/) — Demanding articles and commentaries – ideal for authentic B2 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 & 4 – matching opinions:** Practice matching statements to forum posts and opinions. Watch the exact stance. - Day 3 – **Part 2 – gap-fill:** Practice inserting sentences into gaps. Watch connectors and reference words. - Day 4 – **Part 3 – newspaper article:** Practice solving multiple choice on a longer article. - Day 5 – **Part 5 – regulations:** Practice finding the right rule in a formal text. - 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 fine distinction did you miss? Review your weakest part specifically. ## Are you ready? - I match statements to the right forum posts. - I insert sentences logically into the gaps of an article. - I solve multiple choice on a longer newspaper article. - I recognize each person’s exact stance in opinion texts. - I find the right rule in a set of regulations. - I can finish all 30 tasks in 65 minutes. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many parts does Goethe B2 reading have? Five parts with 30 tasks in total: Part 1 (match forum posts, 9), Part 2 (gap-fill, insert sentences, 6), Part 3 (newspaper article, multiple choice, 6), Part 4 (match opinions, 6) and Part 5 (regulations, 3). ### How much time do I have for reading? The Reading module lasts 65 minutes. In the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 each module is timed separately, and you can also take the modules on different days. ### What does reading test? Whether you understand demanding texts – forum posts, articles, opinions and formal texts. It’s about matching, text logic, details, opinions and rules. ### 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 B2 exam. ### What’s the best way to practice reading? Read demanding German texts (articles, commentaries) regularly and practice B2 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-b2?action=start§ionId=Reading%20Comprehension) ## Other exam parts - [Hören](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/listening) - [Schreiben](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/writing) - [Sprechen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/speaking) [Goethe-Zertifikat B2 – Reading (Lesen)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/reading)