The Comprehension de l’ecrit (Reading) component of the DELF B2 is worth 25 points and is 60 minutes long. It presents two texts — typically one informational or analytical article and one opinion or argumentative piece — each followed by comprehension questions. At B2, you must go beyond locating facts: you are expected to understand the writer’s argumentation, identify implied meaning, evaluate the structure of a text, and interpret vocabulary in context. This guide covers the complete format, question types, and reading strategies that score consistently at B2.
DELF B2 Comprehension de l’Ecrit – Module Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Number of texts | 2 (sometimes 3 short texts grouped as one task) |
| Total marks | 25 |
| Pass mark | 5 out of 25 (overall pass requires 50 out of 100 total) |
| Text 1 type | Informational or factual article: journalism, social commentary, scientific popularisation |
| Text 2 type | Argumentative or opinion text: editorial, essay excerpt, position piece, formal open letter |
| Text length | Text 1: 350–500 words; Text 2: 400–550 words |
Text 1 – Informational or Analytical Article (10–12 Marks)
The first text presents information, analysis, or explanation on a social, cultural, scientific, or professional topic. Questions test whether you understand the main ideas, can locate specific evidence, and can interpret the function of particular elements in the text.
| Question Type | Strategy |
| What is the main theme / purpose of this article? | Identify in the title and first paragraph; the opening sentence typically states the theme; the purpose (inform, explain, argue, illustrate) is inferred from the text type |
| What specific information does the writer provide about X? | Scan for the section addressing X; read the surrounding paragraph for context; answer precisely — do not paraphrase broadly |
| What does the expression X mean in this context? | Identify the sentence; determine meaning from logic and surrounding vocabulary — do not translate; explain what the expression means in the context of the argument |
| What is the function of paragraph X in the text? | Identify its structural role: does it introduce the problem? Provide evidence? Shift perspective? Draw a conclusion? State the function, not just the content |
Text 2 – Argumentative or Opinion Text (13–15 Marks)
The second text presents a writer’s argument, position, or opinion on a debatable topic. Questions go deeper into discourse analysis: what is the writer’s position, how is the argument structured, and what rhetorical or stylistic choices does the writer make?
| Question Type | How to Answer It |
| What is the writer’s thesis or main argument? | State the central claim — the position the writer defends throughout the text; usually in the introduction or conclusion; paraphrase accurately in your own words |
| What evidence or argument does the writer use to support X? | Identify the logical structure: is it statistics, an authority reference, an example, or a logical deduction? State the type and briefly summarise the content |
| Does the writer consider opposing views? How? | Identify the concession move: “Certes… cependant / Il est vrai que… toutefois / On pourrait objecter que…”; explain what the writer concedes and how they respond to it |
| What is the writer’s attitude toward X? | Identify evaluative language: adjectives, adverbs, modal constructions, and rhetorical questions all signal attitude; name the attitude (critical / supportive / ambivalent / ironic) and cite the evidence |
B2 Reading – French Discourse Structure Markers
| Function | French Markers to Recognise |
| Introducing the thesis | En effet… / Il s’agit de… / La question qui se pose est… / L’auteur soutient que… |
| Developing the argument | De plus… / Par ailleurs… / Il convient de souligner que… / A cet egard… |
| Introducing a concession | Certes… / Il est vrai que… / On pourrait certes objecter… / Bien que + subjonctif… |
| Returning to the main argument | Cependant… / Neamoins… / Toutefois… / Il n’en reste pas moins que… |
| Drawing a conclusion | En definitive… / Ainsi… / Au terme de cette analyse… / Il ressort de tout ceci que… |
DELF B2 reading preparation requires regular engagement with authentic French journalistic and argumentative writing. Read one editorial or analytical article per day from Le Monde, Le Figaro, L’Express, or Courrier International and practise answering the question types listed above — particularly the discourse analysis questions on the second text. The B2 candidate who can identify a concession move, name the function of a paragraph, and interpret evaluative language will consistently outperform candidates who rely on vocabulary scanning alone. languagetest.in provides DELF B2 reading mock tasks with authentic-style texts, complete answer keys, and explanations for all question types to support analytical preparation.
References: CIEP DELF B2 official guide: france-education-international.fr | Le Monde: lemonde.fr | languagetest.in DELF B2 reading preparation
Each post reviewed by the languagetest.in research team.