telc B1 Reading Part 2 – Multiple Choice
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.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Key takeaways
- One longer text and 5 multiple-choice tasks with three options each (a/b/c).
- The correct answer is almost always paraphrased – look for the paraphrase, not the matching word.
What this part tests
Part 2 tests detail comprehension. You read one longer, connected text – such as a report or newspaper article – and answer five tasks with three options each (a, b or c). Only one option per task is correct.
The questions usually follow the order of the text, so you find the right spot step by step. Crucially, the correct answer almost never appears word for word in the text. Instead it is paraphrased – you have to recognize that two wordings express the same statement.
Wrong options often contain a small but decisive difference or only pick up one word from the text. Rely on the text alone, not on your world knowledge. If you can back up every answer with a specific spot in the text, you’ll avoid the typical mistakes.
How to approach it
- 1
Read the questions first (without the options yet) so you know what to watch for.
- 2
Read the text once in full for an overview.
- 3
Go question by question and find the matching spot – the questions usually follow the text order.
- 4
Compare each option with the text and choose the one that restates the same idea in different words.
- 5
Actively rule out wrong options: they often contain a small but decisive difference.
Example task with answer
A short example in the same format: read the text and choose the right option.
Seit drei Jahren bietet die Bibliothek in Kassel einen Lieferservice für ältere Menschen an. Wer nicht mehr selbst kommen kann, bestellt Bücher per Telefon und bekommt sie nach Hause gebracht. Inzwischen nutzen über 200 Personen das Angebot. Finanziert wird der Service durch Spenden und ehrenamtliche Helfer.
The library’s delivery service …
- awird vom Staat bezahlt.
- bist für alle Bürgerinnen und Bürger gedacht.
- wird durch Spenden und Freiwillige möglich.
Why? The text says “finanziert durch Spenden und ehrenamtliche Helfer” – in other words, option c (ehrenamtlich = volunteers). Option (a) contradicts the text, and (b) is wrong because the service is meant for older people.
Practice: test yourself
Ein Café in Leipzig beschäftigt seit zwei Jahren nur Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter über 60 Jahre. Die Idee kam von der Besitzerin, die fand, dass ältere Menschen oft schwer Arbeit finden. Das Café ist sehr beliebt und immer gut besucht.
What is true about the café?
Common mistakes
An option isn’t correct just because one of its words appears in the text. The answer is almost always paraphrased.
Only what’s in the text counts – not what you personally know about the topic.
The correct answer often sounds “unfamiliar” because it’s worded differently. That’s usually exactly the answer.
Don’t cling to a single task for too long. Mark it and come back later.
Tips
- Mark the spot in the text that proves your answer. If you can’t find one, it’s probably the wrong option.
- Take your time in Part 2 deliberately – close reading pays off most here.
- Watch for negations and limits like “nicht”, “nur” or “kein” – they change the meaning.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions does reading Part 2 have?
Five multiple-choice tasks with three options each (a, b, c). Only one is correct.
Does the correct answer appear word for word in the text?
Rarely. It’s usually paraphrased. Look for the paraphrase, not the matching word.
In what order do the answers appear in the text?
The questions usually follow the text order – that helps you find the right spot quickly.
What do I do if I can’t find the answer in the text?
Look for a paraphrase instead of the same words – the answer is almost always restated. If you find nothing at all, rule out the obviously wrong options and decide. You can train spotting paraphrases with the reading tasks in a Prepliq mock that explains the answer right away.
Other parts
Useful resources
Learn 600+ of the most important telc German B1 words interactively with flashcards.
Preview and download the official telc German B1 practice test – with answers and study material.