--- title: "telc B2 Reading Part 1: Matching Headings" description: "Reading Part 1 of the telc B2 exam: match the right heading to five texts. Format, strategy, common mistakes and a worked example." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/reading/part-1" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/reading/part-1.md" locale: "en" provider: "TELC" level: "B2" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/telc-deutsch-b2/leseverstehen/teil-1.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/reading/part-1.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/telc-allemand-b2/comprehension-ecrite/partie-1.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/telc-tedesco-b2/lettura/parte-1.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/telc-aleman-b2/lectura/parte-1.md" --- # telc B2 Reading Part 1 – Matching Headings > Reading Part 1 of the telc B2 exam: match the right heading to five texts. Format, strategy, common mistakes and a worked example. ## Key takeaways - 5 texts, 10 headings – match each text to its main idea. - Five headings are left over. Read the text first, then the headings. - Task type: Matching - Focus: Gist reading ## What this part tests Part 1 tests gist reading: you have to quickly grasp what a text is essentially about. You read five short texts (each around 100–150 words) – for example from a newspaper, magazine or website – and choose the matching heading for each from ten options in total. Five of the ten headings fit no text, and each heading may be used only once. It’s not about details, but about the main idea of the whole text – at B2 often including a judgement or a contrast (an advantage and a disadvantage). The biggest danger is distractors: headings that pick up a word from the text but don’t fit its meaning. Always check the overall statement. Every correct match scores points; wrong answers are not penalized – don’t leave any box blank. **What you practice:** Skimming, Identifying the main idea, Seeing through distractors ## How to approach it 1. Read the text first – not the headings yet. That way you form your own view of the topic. 2. Sum up each text in a keyword or short sentence that also captures the judgement. 3. Look for the heading that matches the overall statement – not just a detail or a single word. 4. Cross out each heading you’ve assigned so the pool gets smaller. 5. Do the sure matches first and leave the difficult ones for the end. 6. At the end, enter an answer for every text – even when guessing, because wrong answers carry no penalty. ## Example task with answer A short example in the same format: match each text to the right heading. **Text 1:** Eine neue Studie zeigt, dass viele Menschen abends zu lange auf ihr Smartphone schauen. Die Folge: Sie schlafen schlechter und sind tagsüber weniger leistungsfähig. Fachleute raten, das Gerät eine Stunde vor dem Schlafengehen wegzulegen. **Text 2:** Immer mehr Städte bauen ihre Radwege aus. In Münster etwa wurden im letzten Jahr 20 Kilometer neue Wege angelegt. Die Stadt hofft, dass dadurch mehr Menschen das Auto stehen lassen und auf das Fahrrad umsteigen. - Headings: (a) Wie das Smartphone den Schlaf stört · (b) Neue Regeln für Autofahrer · (c) Städte setzen auf das Fahrrad · (d) Weniger Menschen kaufen ein Smartphone - Answer: Text 1 → a · Text 2 → c — Text 1 explains how the smartphone worsens sleep (a). Text 2 reports the expansion of cycle paths to get people onto bikes (c). Options (b) and (d) contain fitting words but miss the main idea – those are the distractors. ## Practice: test yourself Immer mehr Unternehmen erlauben ihren Mitarbeitenden, an einigen Tagen von zu Hause zu arbeiten. Studien zeigen, dass die Zufriedenheit dadurch steigt – allerdings klagen manche über fehlenden Kontakt zu Kollegen. - Which heading fits best? - a) Homeoffice: mehr Zufriedenheit, aber auch Schattenseiten - b) Unternehmen sparen durch kleinere Büros - c) Studien zur Arbeitszeit werden kritisiert - d) Kollegen treffen sich nur noch online - Answer: a — The text names an advantage (more satisfaction) AND a disadvantage (less contact) of working from home – exactly what heading a sums up. Options b, c and d pick up single aspects but miss the overall statement. ## Common mistakes - **Falling for single words:** A shared word is not yet the answer. Always check the overall statement. - **Missing the judgement:** At B2 the main idea often contains a contrast or an evaluation. The correct heading reflects it. - **Using a heading twice:** Each heading fits only one text. Cross out headings you’ve used. - **Leaving boxes blank:** No answer means a guaranteed zero. Enter an answer even if you have to guess. ## Tips - The five “extra” headings are often distractors with words from the texts – don’t be fooled. - Watch for signal words for judgements (jedoch, allerdings, dennoch) – they reveal the main idea. - Practice with short factual texts and put the main idea into one sentence each time. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many tasks does reading Part 1 have? Five. You match each of five texts to one heading out of ten options; five headings are left over. ### How long are the texts in Part 1? Each text is around 100–150 words – short factual texts on one topic. It’s about the main idea, not details. ### Are wrong answers penalized in Part 1? No. There is no penalty for guessing – so answer every task. ### What if two headings seem to fit? Choose the one that captures the main idea of the whole text – often including the judgement. The correct one sums up the core, not just a detail. Practice this with a Prepliq mock that explains the answer right away. ## Ready for the exam? [Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2?action=start§ionId=Reading%20Comprehension) [telc B2 Reading Part 1 – Matching Headings](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/reading/part-1)