Goethe B1 reading: the five parts and exercises with answers
The reading module of Goethe and ÖSD B1 takes 65 minutes; you answer 30 items in five parts. Below you will find what each part asks for, how to solve it, the suggested time split and worked examples.
By Olcay Sari, founder of Level Exams
Last updated: 2026-11-12
Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and ÖSD Zertifikat B1 are the same exam. Reading is a module of its own: it is marked out of 100 points and passed with at least 60. The module can be retaken on its own.
Each of the five parts tests a different kind of reading: understanding a personal text, taking information from a press text, choosing among adverts, telling opinions apart and reading a set of rules correctly. You may do the parts in any order.
The five parts at a glance
| Part | Text and task | Items | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | A personal text (blog, e-mail): are the statements true or false | 6 | About ten minutes |
| Teil 2 | Two press texts: three-option questions on each | 6 | About twenty minutes |
| Teil 3 | Situations and adverts: find the right advert for each situation; one has none | 7 | About ten minutes |
| Teil 4 | Readers' comments on one topic: is the person in favour or not | 7 | About fifteen minutes |
| Teil 5 | A text with rules or instructions: three-option questions | 4 | About ten minutes |
Teil 1: Personal text, true/false
You read a blog post or an e-mail; the statements follow the order of the text. They give the information in other words or change a small detail: a number, a person, a time.
For each statement, find the sentence in the text it rests on. Where a statement contains a number or a person, read the text word by word; that is usually where the trap is.
Worked example: Lesen Teil 1
Task: Lesen Sie den Text und die Aufgaben 1 und 2. Sind die Aussagen richtig oder falsch?
Hallo zusammen! Letzte Woche bin ich endlich umgezogen. Eigentlich wollten mir drei Freunde helfen, aber zwei sind krank geworden. Zum Glück hatte meine Schwester Zeit, und zu dritt haben wir es an einem Tag geschafft. Die neue Wohnung ist kleiner als die alte, dafür brauche ich nur noch zehn Minuten bis zur Arbeit. Nur an die Straßenbahn vor dem Fenster muss ich mich noch gewöhnen. Euer Milan 1. Milan hat beim Umzug von drei Personen Hilfe bekommen. 2. Milans Weg zur Arbeit ist jetzt kürzer.
- Statement 1: falsch. Three friends were going to help, but two fell ill; the helpers were one friend and his sister, that is, two people. “zu dritt” includes Milan himself.
- Statement 2: richtig. “nur noch zehn Minuten bis zur Arbeit” → the way is shorter.
- The trap is “drei” and “zu dritt” in the text: the same number as in the statement, but a different meaning.
Teil 2: Press texts, multiple choice
There are two short press texts with three questions each. The first question usually asks for the main topic (“In diesem Text geht es um …”); the other two ask for details.
In the main-topic question, beware of the option that describes only one paragraph: the right option covers the whole text. For the detail questions, read the question first and then the matching paragraph.
Teil 3: Situations and adverts
For each situation you find the right advert; each advert may be used only once. For one of the situations there is no matching advert, and there you mark 0.
Look in the advert for all the conditions of the situation (who, when, what for). An advert that fits the topic but fails one condition is the classic trap of this part.
Worked example: Lesen Teil 3
Task: Lesen Sie die Situationen 1 und 2 und die Anzeigen a–c. Welche Anzeige passt zu welcher Situation? Für eine Situation gibt es keine passende Anzeige. Schreiben Sie hier 0.
1. Herr Novak möchte am Wochenende eine geführte Radtour machen und unterwegs etwas über die Region erfahren. 2. Frau Sommer sucht für ihre Tochter einen Tanzkurs, der unter der Woche am Nachmittag stattfindet. a) Tanzstudio Rhythmus: Kurse für Kinder und Jugendliche, samstags von 10 bis 12 Uhr. Probestunde gratis. b) Mit dem Rad durch das Weinland: Jeden Sonntag führt unser Guide Sie zu Burgen und Weingütern und erzählt von ihrer Geschichte. Räder können geliehen werden. c) Fahrradladen Speiche: Reparaturen aller Art, auch am Samstag. Neue und gebrauchte Räder.
- Situation 1: b. A guided cycling tour, at the weekend (Sunday), with information about the region: all three conditions are met.
- Situation 2: 0. Advert a is a dance course for children, but on Saturday; the condition “unter der Woche am Nachmittag” is not met.
- Advert c also mentions “Räder”, but it is about repairs, not a tour: a matching word is not enough.
Teil 4: Opinions, yes or no
You read readers' comments on a controversial topic and answer the same question for each: is this person in favour of the proposal? The answer is Ja or Nein.
The comments usually have two sides: the writer first grants the other side a point and then gives their own view. Look at what comes after “Trotzdem”, “aber” or “allerdings”; the last sentences decide the answer.
Worked example: Lesen Teil 4
Task: Lesen Sie die Texte. Ist die Person dafür, dass man in der Fußgängerzone Rad fahren darf? Antworten Sie mit Ja oder Nein.
Karin, 52, Bremen: Ich fahre selbst jeden Tag Rad und verstehe, dass man schnell durch die Stadt kommen möchte. Trotzdem: In der Fußgängerzone sind Kinder und ältere Menschen unterwegs. Dort sollte man das Rad schieben, alles andere ist mir zu gefährlich. Tarek, 29, Kassel: Natürlich gibt es Radfahrer, die zu schnell fahren, und das ärgert mich auch. Aber deshalb alle zu bestrafen, finde ich falsch. Mit klaren Regeln und Schrittgeschwindigkeit ist Platz für alle da.
- Karin: Nein. She cycles herself and understands cyclists, but she says “Dort sollte man das Rad schieben”.
- Tarek: Ja. Fast cyclists annoy him, but he thinks a ban is wrong; with rules and walking speed there is room for everyone.
- Both comments start with the other side; the decision comes after “Trotzdem” and “Aber”.
Teil 5: A text with rules
You read house rules, terms of use or instructions; the text consists of short sections with headings. Each question targets one rule in the text.
Do not read the text from start to finish: find the topic of the question (for example rubbish, noise, visitors) in the headings and read only that section carefully. Limiting words such as “nur”, “außer”, “spätestens” and “mindestens” change the answer.
How should I divide the time?
- The times in the table are the exam's suggestion, not a lock; you may start with any part.
- Most time goes to the second part with its two press texts; if you get stuck there, move on to the short items in parts three and five and come back later.
- In the paper exam you have to transfer your answers to the answer sheet at the end; leave time for that. In the Level Exams mock exam answers are saved as soon as you mark them.
- Leave no item blank: a wrong answer costs no points.
How is it scored?
All items count the same. Your number of correct answers is converted to a scale of 100 points, and you need at least 60 to pass the module; that means getting at least 60% of the items right.
The result of the reading module is independent of the other modules: your points in listening, writing or speaking do not affect it.
Common mistakes
- Marking statements with numbers and people in Teil 1 without checking them against the text.
- Choosing the option that describes only one paragraph in the main-topic question of Teil 2.
- Trying to find an advert for every situation in Teil 3, or using the same advert twice.
- Deciding by the first sentence of the comment in Teil 4.
- Skipping limiting words (nur, außer) in Teil 5.
- Using up the time in the second part and not reaching the last parts.
Sample question paper (PDF) and mock exam
More practice: the Goethe B1 and ÖSD B1 page has sample questions with answers that you can do without signing in, and a sample exam (question paper with answers) as a PDF; both are free.
Frequently asked questions
›How long is Goethe B1 reading, and how many questions are there?
65 minutes and 30 items in five parts.
›Is the reading part the same in Goethe B1 and ÖSD B1?
Yes. The Zertifikat B1 is a joint exam of the two institutions; parts, item counts and scoring are identical.
›Can I do the parts in any order?
Yes. The suggested times are only a guide; you can start with the part you find easiest.
›How many correct answers do I need to pass reading?
The module is marked out of 100 points and you need at least 60; that is, at least 60% of the items right.
›How does it differ from telc B1 reading?
telc B1 has three reading tasks plus Sprachbausteine. Goethe and ÖSD B1 have five reading parts, no Sprachbausteine, and reading is passed as a module of its own.
›Is there a PDF or sample exam for Goethe B1 reading?
Yes. The Goethe B1 and ÖSD B1 page has free sample questions with answers and a sample exam as a PDF. For the full exam routine, use the free online mock exam.
Do the reading module under time
The free ÖSD B1 mock exam is the same exam as Goethe B1: do the reading module with the real timing and see the correct answer and an explanation for every item.