TOPIK II: Reading and Writing Strategies
Understand how TOPIK II is structured and learn practical reading and writing strategies: the -다 essay style, intro–body–conclusion and useful connective phrases.
Mr. Gaon · Grammar, vocabulary & TOPIKWhat you will learn in this lesson
- Describe the general structure of TOPIK II: levels 3–6, listening, writing and reading
- Use effective strategies for the reading section
- Write in the formal -다 style used in TOPIK essays
- Organize an essay with an introduction, body and conclusion using connective phrases
Hello, and congratulations on reaching this point! TOPIK II can feel like a big mountain, but it becomes much easier when you know its shape and have a plan. Today I’ll share the strategies I give my own students, especially for writing.
What is TOPIK II?
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is the official Korean test run by NIIED, a Korean government institute. It has two tests: TOPIK I for levels 1–2 and TOPIK II for levels 3–6. You take one TOPIK II test, and your total score decides whether you receive level 3, 4, 5 or 6 — or no level if the score is too low.
TOPIK II has three parts: listening (듣기), writing (쓰기) and reading (읽기). Unlike TOPIK I, it includes writing, and many learners find this the hardest part.
The writing part generally includes:
1. Short sentence completion — filling in a blank in a short text, such as a notice or a message, so that it fits the context. 2. A short descriptive paragraph — often explaining information such as a chart or survey result. 3. An essay — a longer argument on a social or general topic, with a question to answer.
Test dates, fees, number of questions, time limits and the testing format (paper or computer) can change and differ by country. Always check the latest details on the official TOPIK website before you register.
TOPIK II at a glance
| Part | What it tests | Key skill |
|---|---|---|
| 듣기 | Understanding conversations, announcements, lectures and interviews | Catch the main idea and the speaker’s attitude |
| 쓰기 | Sentence completion, a short descriptive paragraph and an essay | Accurate grammar, formal style, clear structure |
| 읽기 | Reading notices, articles, essays and opinion texts | Find the main idea, order sentences, infer meaning |
General structure only. Check www.topik.go.kr for current details.
Reading strategies
Read the question before the text. Know what you are looking for: the main idea, a detail, the writer’s purpose or the right order of sentences.
Watch the connectors. Words like 그러나, 하지만 and 따라서 often come right before the writer’s main point. The sentence after 그러나 is frequently the answer to a "main idea" question.
Don’t stop at unknown words. Guess from context and from Sino-Korean roots you know, then keep going. Time is limited, and later questions are often longer.
Check the options against the text, not against your own opinion. An answer can sound true in real life but still not match what the text says.
Read Korean articles every day. Short news stories and opinion columns are excellent practice because they use the same vocabulary as the test.
Now for writing. The biggest and easiest point to fix: in TOPIK writing, do not use -아요/어요 or -습니다. Use the plain written -다 style. Many good learners lose points just because of this!
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The standard style for essays, reports and articles. Use it consistently from the first sentence to the last.
- Verb, vowel stem: -ㄴ다 (가다 → 간다, 변하다 → 변한다).
- Verb, consonant stem: -는다 (읽다 → 읽는다, 받다 → 받는다).
- Adjective and 있다/없다: -다 (중요하다, 많다, 있다).
- Noun: -(이)다 (문제이다, 원인이다). 문제다 is also used.
- Past: -았/었다 (늘었다). Future or guess: -(으)ㄹ 것이다 (늘 것이다).
- Use full written forms: 것이다 rather than 거다, 이것은 rather than 이건, 그러나 rather than 근데.
- Avoid 저/제 in essays; use 나 / 내 or write without a first-person subject when possible.
- 최근 혼자 사는 사람이 늘고 있다. choegeun honja saneun sarami neulgo itda.Recently, the number of people living alone is increasing.
- 이것은 사회 전체의 문제이다. igeoseun sahoe jeoncheui munjeida.This is a problem for society as a whole.
- 앞으로 이러한 경향은 더욱 강해질 것이다. apeuro ireohan gyeonghyangeun deouk ganghaejil geosida.In the future, this trend will become even stronger.
Spoken style vs essay style
- 요즘 사람들이 핸드폰을 너무 많이 써요. yojeum saramdeuri haendeuponeul neomu mani sseoyo. These days people use their phones too much. Spoken 해요체 and casual words: not for essays.
- 최근 사람들의 스마트폰 사용 시간이 크게 늘었다. choegeun saramdeurui seumateupon sayong sigani keuge neureotda. Recently, people’s smartphone use has increased greatly. Essay style: -다 ending, precise and formal vocabulary.
- 근데 이건 좀 문제인 것 같아요. geunde igeon jom munjein geot gatayo. But I think this is kind of a problem. 근데, 이건, 좀 are too casual.
- 그러나 이것은 심각한 문제라고 생각한다. geureona igeoseun simgakan munjerago saenggakanda. However, I believe this is a serious problem. Clear, confident written style.
Structure your essay: introduction, body, conclusion
Before writing, spend a few minutes making a short plan. A clear structure earns points even if your grammar is not perfect.
Introduction (서론): Introduce the topic and state your position or the main question. Two or three sentences are enough.
Body (본론): Answer every question in the prompt, in order. Give reasons and an example for each point. Start each paragraph with its main idea.
Conclusion (결론): Summarize your opinion and suggest a solution or a future direction. Do not add a brand-new argument here.
Also remember: stay on the topic given, write paragraphs instead of one long block, and leave a little time at the end to check spelling, spacing (띄어쓰기) and endings.
Useful phrases for essays
- 최근 ~에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있다. choegeun ~e daehan gwansimi nopajigo itda. Recently, interest in ~ has been growing. A natural way to open an introduction.
- 이에 대해 찬성하는 의견과 반대하는 의견이 있다. ie daehae chanseonghaneun uigyeongwa bandaehaneun uigyeoni itda. There are opinions for and against this. Useful for opinion topics.
- 첫째, … 둘째, … cheotjjae, … duljjae, … First, … Second, … Lists your reasons clearly.
- 예를 들어 … yereul deureo … For example, …
- 왜냐하면 ~기 때문이다. waenyahamyeon ~gi ttaemunida. This is because ~. Give the reason with -기 때문이다.
- 반면에 … banmyeone … On the other hand, … For contrasting points.
- 따라서 ~(으)ㄹ 필요가 있다. ttaraseo ~(eu)ㄹ piryoga itda. Therefore, it is necessary to ~.
- ~는 것이 중요하다. ~neun geosi jungyohada. It is important to ~.
- 이처럼 … icheoreom … As shown above, … / In this way, … Good for starting a conclusion.
- 결론적으로 … gyeollonjeogeuro … In conclusion, …
Tips for the short writing tasks
Sentence completion: Read the sentences before and after the blank. Look at the ending of the next sentence to decide the form: if the text is in -습니다 style, your answer must be too. Usually one short clause is enough; write a clear, correct answer rather than a long one.
Descriptive paragraph: Describe only the information given; do not add your own opinion. Use expressions like ~에 대해 조사한 결과, ~(으)로 나타났다, ~이/가 가장 많았다, 그 다음으로, 증가했다 and 감소했다. Mention the most important numbers and the overall trend, and use the -다 style.
A study session
Check quiz
Q1. Which levels can you receive from TOPIK II?
Q2. Which three parts does TOPIK II have?
Q3. Which sentence is best for a TOPIK II essay?
Q4. Change 늘어나요 into essay style.
Q5. In a reading passage, which word often signals the writer’s main point?
Q6. What should you NOT do in the conclusion of an essay?
Q7. Where should you check exam dates and fees?
You have all the tools now: know the test, read smartly, write in the -다 style, and plan before you write. Practice a little every day, and trust your progress. I’m cheering for you!
Key points
- TOPIK II gives levels 3–6 and has listening, writing and reading.
- Writing includes short sentence completion, a descriptive paragraph and an essay.
- Write essays in the formal -다 style; never mix in -요 or -습니다.
- Plan an introduction, body and conclusion, and answer every part of the question.
- Check dates, fees and current format on www.topik.go.kr.
Recommended official free resources
- TOPIK official site — NIIED
- Korean Spelling & Standard Pronunciation rules — National Institute of Korean Language
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