telc B2 Reading Part 2 – Multiple Choice
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.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Key takeaways
- One long text (500–600 words) and 5 multiple-choice tasks with three options each.
- 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 long, connected text – such as a report, feature or commentary of around 500–600 words – 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. At B2 the correct answer almost never appears word for word in the text – it is paraphrased, often with phrasings like “nicht nur …, sondern auch …” or “obwohl …”.
Wrong options often contain a small but decisive difference, exaggerate a statement 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 and the line of argument.
- 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 an exaggeration or a small difference.
Example task with answer
A short example in the same format: read the extract and choose the right option.
Viele Studierende arbeiten neben dem Studium. Eine Umfrage zeigt: Wer bis zu zehn Stunden pro Woche jobbt, schneidet im Studium oft sogar besser ab, weil er sich besser organisiert. Erst bei deutlich mehr Stunden leiden die Noten.
According to the text …
- aschadet jede Arbeit neben dem Studium den Noten.
- kann ein kleiner Nebenjob das Studium sogar fördern.
- csollten Studierende gar nicht arbeiten.
Why? The text says up to ten hours of work per week does not harm studies but can even help through better organization – that is option b in different words. Options (a) and (c) exaggerate and contradict the text.
Practice: test yourself
Aus einem Bericht: „Obwohl der Verein anfangs nur wenige Mitglieder hatte, wuchs er schnell. Heute organisiert er nicht nur Sprachkurse, sondern auch kulturelle Veranstaltungen, die bei der ganzen Stadt beliebt sind."
What is true about the association (Verein)?
Common mistakes
An option isn’t correct just because one of its words appears in the text. The answer is almost always paraphrased.
Words like “immer”, “nie”, “alle” often make an option wrong. Check carefully whether the text really says that.
Only what’s in the text counts – not what you personally know about the topic.
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.
- Watch for connectors and limits (zwar … aber, obwohl, jedoch) – they change the statement.
- Take your time deliberately for the long text – close reading pays off most here.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions does reading Part 2 have?
Five multiple-choice tasks with three options each (a, b, c) on one long text. Only one is correct.
How long is the text in Part 2?
Around 500–600 words – a longer, connected factual text. Plan enough time for close reading.
Does the correct answer appear word for word in the text?
Rarely. It’s usually paraphrased. Look for the paraphrase, not the matching word.
What do I do if I can’t find the answer in the text?
Look for a paraphrase instead of the same words. Rule out options with exaggerations. You can train spotting paraphrases with a Prepliq mock that explains the answer right away.
Other parts
Useful resources
Learn 700+ of the most important telc German B2 words interactively with flashcards.
Preview and download the official telc German B2 practice test – with answers and study material.