telc B2 Language Elements (Sprachbausteine): Strategy for Parts 1 and 2

Level:B2Duration:~3 h + 15 minFee:Varies by centreValidity:UnlimitedFormat:Written + Oral

Last updated: 30 September 2026 · Verified against official telc sources

Sprachbausteine sits inside the reading block of the telc B2 written exam and shares its 90 minutes with Reading. Two parts contain 20 gaps in total, each worth 1.5 points. Part 1 tests grammar, part 2 tests vocabulary.

Part 1 – grammar gaps

  • Areas tested: declension, articles, prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions, pronominal adverbs (darauf, worüber), verbs and particles.
  • Try to fill the gap before reading the options; if unsure, eliminate by gender, number and case.
  • Check the verb after the gap: if it is at the end, you need a subordinating conjunction (weil, obwohl, damit).
  • Recognise formal letter chunks: Bezug nehmend auf, im Voraus, Ich würde mich freuen, wenn …

Part 2 – vocabulary gaps

  • Judge options by meaning and collocation, not endings; telc says this part tests vocabulary, not inflection.
  • Read the text first without the options and fill in the certain gaps.
  • Cross off words you use; five remain unused.
  • Never leave a gap empty; wrong answers do not cost points.

Time and points plan

SectionItemsPointsSuggested time
Language elements 11015~15 min
Language elements 21015~20 min
Reading 1–32075~55 min
Transferring answers––~10 min (within the 90)

Language elements items are worth 1.5 points; Reading 1–2 items are worth 5. If time is short, finish the high-value items first.

Official sources

The exam rules and figures in this guide were checked against the official sources below.

Related guide

Practise Sprachbausteine under exam conditions

Work through timed telc B2 language elements parts 1 and 2 on Zertifly and see your errors by structure type.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers based on the official rules

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