---
title: "telc German B2 Reading (Leseverstehen): Exercises & Tips"
description: "Reading (Leseverstehen) in the telc German B2 exam: all 3 parts explained – format, points, strategy and exercises. Master matching and multiple choice with confidence."
canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/reading"
url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/reading.md"
locale: "en"
provider: "TELC"
level: "B2"
alternates:
  de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/telc-deutsch-b2/leseverstehen.md"
  en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/reading.md"
  fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/telc-allemand-b2/comprehension-ecrite.md"
  it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/telc-tedesco-b2/lettura.md"
  es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/telc-aleman-b2/lectura.md"
---

# telc German B2 – Reading (Leseverstehen)

> Reading (Leseverstehen) in the telc German B2 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 – at B2 the texts are longer and more abstract.

Reading is the first part of the written telc B2 exam and the highest-scoring one: you can earn 75 points here. It has three parts with 20 tasks in total. Together with the Sprachbausteine (language elements) you have 90 minutes; plan around 70 of those for reading.

At its core, reading is a search-and-comprehension task. At B2 the texts are longer and more demanding than at B1 – newspaper and factual texts, commentaries, reports on topics such as work, society, the environment or science. You don’t have to understand every word, but you do need to grasp the statements precisely. It gets tricky because the correct answer is almost always paraphrased.

The three parts call for three different reading styles: in Part 1 you match the right heading to five short texts (gist), in Part 2 you read one long text closely and answer multiple-choice questions (detail), in Part 3 you find the matching short text for each of ten situations (selective reading). Practice them separately.

- Parts: 3
- Tasks: 20
- Points: 75
- Time: 70 min
- to pass: ~60 %
- Difficulty: moderate to hard (4/5)

## The parts at a glance

- [Part 1 – Matching headings](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/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/practice-test/telc-german-b2/reading/part-2) — Multiple choice · Detail comprehension · 5 Tasks · 25 Points. In Part 2 you read a long text and answer multiple-choice questions. Here’s how to find the right option and spot the distractors.
- [Part 3 – Matching texts](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/reading/part-3) — Matching (with “x”) · Selective reading · 10 Tasks · 25 Points. In Part 3 you match ten situations to the right short texts. Important: sometimes no text fits – then the answer is “x”.

## Tips & strategy

- **Budget your time wisely:** Reading and Sprachbausteine share 90 minutes. Plan around 70 minutes for the three reading parts and keep an eye on the clock.
- **Train three reading styles:** Part 1 needs skimming, Part 2 close reading of a long text 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.
- **Spot the paraphrase:** At B2 the answer is almost never in the text word for word. Look for the statement in different words – not the same word.
- **Read functionally, not every word:** Watch for key words, connectors and the line of argument (einerseits/andererseits, jedoch, dennoch). That way you quickly find the right spot in long texts.
- **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 B2 texts:

- **Newspaper and factual texts** — reports and features on current topics.
- **Commentaries & opinion texts** — argumentative texts with a thesis and reasons.
- **Ads & short texts** — short offers and notices in Part 3.
- **Advice and information texts** — factual information with details and examples.

## Common topics

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

- **Work & economy** — jobs, the labor market, work-life balance
- **Society & education** — studying, living together, trends
- **Environment & science** — climate, energy, research
- **Health & nutrition** — lifestyle, medicine, sport
- **Media & digitalization** — internet, social media, technology
- **Travel & mobility** — transport, tourism, city life

## Free practice exercises

- [Deutsche Welle – Learn German](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview) — Free, up-to-date reading texts – including B2 level for daily practice.
- [DW – Top-Thema mit Vokabeln](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/top-thema/s-55861562) — Current factual texts with vocabulary help, ideal for B2 reading.

## 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 longer texts: read short factual texts and put the main idea into one sentence. Train matching headings.
- Day 3 – **Part 2 – detail:** Practice close reading on a long text (500–600 words). Watch for paraphrases and practice actively ruling out wrong options.
- Day 4 – **Part 3 – selective reading:** Train targeted scanning across many short texts. Read the situations first, then the ads.
- Day 5 – **Vocabulary & pace:** Review your B2 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 and 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 quickly grasp the main idea of a longer factual text.
- I can see through distractors that only repeat single words from the text.
- I can locate the exact spot in a long text that answers a question.
- I recognize paraphrases – the same statement in different words.
- I understand the line of argument in a commentary (thesis, reasons, counter-argument).
- I can finish all 20 tasks within the time limit.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many parts does telc B2 reading have?

Three parts with 20 tasks in total: Part 1 (matching headings, 5), Part 2 (multiple choice, 5) and Part 3 (matching texts to situations, 10).

### 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?

You need around 60 % of the points. telc B2 has no separate pass mark per part – the written exam is graded together. As a guide, the 60 % mark in reading corresponds to about 45 of 75 points.

### 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 70 minutes for the three reading parts.

### What is harder at B2 than at B1?

The texts are longer and more abstract, the vocabulary more demanding, and the correct answer is consistently paraphrased. There is a stronger focus on argumentation and fine differences in meaning.

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

Read longer German factual texts regularly – for example from Deutsche Welle – 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 B2 vocabulary.

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

No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the telc German B2 exam.

## Ready for the exam?

[Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2?action=start&sectionId=Reading%20Comprehension)

## Other exam parts

- [Sprachbausteine](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/sprachbausteine)
- [Hörverstehen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/listening)
- [Schriftlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/writing)
- [Mündlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/speaking)

[telc German B2 – Reading (Leseverstehen)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/reading)