telc B2 Reading Part 1: Matching People to Short Texts (a–h)
Updated: · LexDeutsch editorial team
In Reading Part 1 you match 5 people with a work-related concern to 8 short texts (a–h) about the labour market, e.g. article teasers or adverts. Discover how to pinpoint dealbreakers immediately and sort out the 3 leftover texts with confidence; the practice here uses adverts.
How do you solve Reading Part 1 reliably? The 5 golden rules
Read the candidate profiles first, not the job ads!
Always start with the candidate. Highlight their profession, required schedule (part-time vs. full-time), and absolute dealbreakers (e.g. travel readiness).
Beware of the Identical-Word Distractor Trap
The same keyword (e.g. "Hotel") can appear in both the profile and an ad. However, a managerial role requested will never match a junior waiter vacancy!
Expect 3 leftover texts
There are 8 short texts (a–h) for 5 people, so 3 texts belong to nobody. A text that sounds right in topic but breaks a dealbreaker is often one of these leftovers. There is no "x" answer in Part 1.
Working hours and location are definitive KO factors
If someone requests 20 hrs/week, any full-time position is immediately invalid. If someone cannot travel, any field-service job is disqualified.
Each job ad can be assigned at most once
Once Ad B is paired, cross it off your sheet. This narrows down the possibilities for subsequent candidates.
Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik (m/w/d) - Vollzeit
Warehouse Logistics Specialist (m/f/d) - Full-time
- •Erfolgreich abgeschlossene Ausbildung im Bereich Lager / Logistik↳ Successfully completed vocational training in warehousing / logistics
- •Gültiger Gabelstaplerschein zwingend erforderlich↳ Valid forklift operator license strictly required
- •Erfahrung mit Warenwirtschaftssystemen (SAP von Vorteil)↳ Experience with inventory ERP systems (SAP advantageous)
- •Standortgebundene Tätigkeit im 2-Schicht-System (Mo-Fr), keine Reisetätigkeit↳ Fixed on-site role in a 2-shift schedule (Mon-Fri), zero travel
Finanzbuchhalter / Bürokaufmann (m/w/d) in Teilzeit (20-25 Std.)
Financial Accountant / Office Clerk (m/f/d) Part-time (20-25 hrs)
- •Fundierte Kenntnisse in der Debitoren- und Kreditorenbuchhaltung↳ Sound expertise in accounts receivable and payable bookkeeping
- •Sicherer Umgang mit der Software DATEV Rechnungswesen↳ Confident proficiency in DATEV accounting software
- •Arbeitszeit: 20-25 Wochenstunden mit flexibler Zeiteinteilung von Montag bis Freitag↳ Hours: 20-25 weekly hours with flexible daytime scheduling Monday to Friday
- •Keine Wochenend- oder Feiertagsarbeit↳ No weekend or public holiday shifts
Servicekraft & Kellner (m/w/d) für Hotelrestaurant
Waitstaff & Restaurant Server (m/f/d) for Hotel Restaurant
- •Erfahrung im gastronomischen Service und Bankettgeschäft↳ Experience in gastronomic table service and banquet functions
- •Freundliches und serviceorientiertes Auftreten im Gästekontakt↳ Friendly, guest-oriented demeanor when interacting with patrons
- •Bereitschaft zu Wochenend-, Abend- und Schichtarbeit↳ Willingness to work weekends, evenings, and rotating shifts
- •Keine Führungsverantwortung erforderlich (Mitarbeiter im operativen Service)↳ No leadership experience required (line staff in frontline operations)
Leitung Front Office (m/w/d) für Boutique-Hotel
Front Office Manager (m/f/d) for a Boutique Hotel
- •Mehrjährige Berufserfahrung an der Rezeption, idealerweise mit Tagungsgästen↳ Several years of experience at reception, ideally with conference guests
- •Führung eines Teams von 6 Mitarbeitenden an der Rezeption↳ Leading a reception team of 6 employees
- •Verhandlungssicheres Englisch und sehr gute Deutschkenntnisse↳ Business-fluent English and very good German
Interactive Exam Simulation: 3 Situations & 4 Adverts
Read the situation and choose the matching advert (A, B, C or D); one advert is left over:
Elena Rostova (34)
Accountant with DATEV certificate and 8 years professional experienceWünsche & Profil: Seeking a part-time role (20-25 hrs/week) with fixed morning hours, no shift work.
Ausschlusskriterium: KO Criterion: Full-time positions or shift rotations are ruled out due to childcare duties.
Murat Yilmaz (28)
Warehouse logistics specialist with forklift license and basic SAP skillsWünsche & Profil: Seeking full-time job in receiving or shipping. Vital: regional commuting only within 30 km, no travel readiness.
Ausschlusskriterium: KO Criterion: Nationwide on-site installations or extensive travel are ruled out.
Katarina Novak (41)
Hotel management specialist with 15 years experience in reception and eventsWünsche & Profil: Looking for a managerial front office role in a boutique hotel, fluent English and C1 German.
Ausschlusskriterium: KO Criterion: Ordinary restaurant waitstaff roles or bar shifts are rejected.
In what order should you work? The 3-phase elimination method
Follow this structured sequence to solve Reading Part 1 reliably in about 10 minutes:
Read the 5 situations one after another. Underline three core points immediately: 1. What is the person looking for (a job, further training, advice)? 2. Working hours or time frame (full-time vs. exact part-time hours, weekends, shift tolerance), 3. Constraints (location, readiness to travel, qualification).
Scan the texts (a to h). Rule out what clashes with hard conditions: if a person rejects shift work, cross out every advert with rotating or night shifts for them. If an accounting candidate offers DATEV and a firm explicitly requires SAP, there is no match.
For apparent matches, check the seniority level (management versus line staff) and the target group. Each person gets exactly one text, each text is used at most once, and 3 texts are left over at the end.
Which vocabulary traps hide in German job ads?
„Verhandlungssicher“ (Business Fluent) vs. „Gute Kenntnisse“ (Conversational)
If an opening requires C1/C2 English for client consultations and the applicant only possesses B1, the ad is invalid.
„Minijob“ vs. „Teilzeit“ (Substantial Part-Time)
A minijob (marginal employment with a low earnings cap) is not the same as a regular part-time job (e.g. 20-30 hrs/week). Candidates seeking a permanent part-time position are not matched with minijobs.
„Montagetätigkeit“ (Off-site Travel) vs. „Standortgebunden“ (Fixed Location)
Candidates requiring local commutes within 30 km cannot accept nationwide installation and assembly contracts.
„Operative Mitarbeit“ (Hands-on Labor) vs. „Leitung“ (Management)
Experienced hotel front-office managers must never be paired with basic dishwasher or restaurant waitstaff ads despite the shared keyword "Hotel".
Interaktiver Schnelltest: Matching & K.O.-Kriterien (4 Fragen)
Überprüfen Sie Ihre Prüfungsstrategie für telc B2 Lesen Teil 1:
1. What is the most reliable strategy for matching in telc B2 Reading Part 1?
2. How many of the 8 short texts (a–h) are left over at the end of Reading Part 1?
3. Why are identical buzzwords in profile and ad (e.g. "Hotel") often a trap?
4. Can a single job advertisement be assigned to multiple candidates?
Frequently asked questions
How much time should I spend on Reading Part 1?
Reading Parts 1 to 4 take 45 minutes together. Spend about 10 minutes on Part 1; with systematic dealbreaker filtering you stay well within your time plan.
Should I read the adverts or the situations first?
The situations first. For each person, mark what they are looking for, the working-hours model and limits such as location or willingness to travel, then check the adverts against exactly these points.
Is there an "x" answer in Reading Part 1?
No. Part 1 has 5 people and 8 short texts (a–h); one text fits each person and 3 texts are left over. The "x" answer (no matching post) only exists in Reading Part 3.
Can one advert be used twice?
No, each advert is used at most once. Cross out the adverts you have already assigned in the task booklet; this shrinks the choice for the remaining situations.
What if two adverts look almost identical?
Check the details of the requirements: business-fluent English, specific software such as DATEV or SAP, weekend shifts or a management position. These details decide the match.
How many points do I need to pass telc B2 Beruf?
The exam has four skills worth 60 points each: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking (the Sprachbausteine count towards writing). You pass with at least 144 of 240 points in total and at least 36 of 60 in at least three of the four skills; one weaker skill is compensated if it has 24–35 points.
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