Bonjour!
Preparing for the DELF B1 exam means developing solid, reliable reading skills. The DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension part evaluates how well you understand everyday written French: emails, announcements, articles, personal messages, blog posts, and short informational texts.
At this level, the goal is not perfection — it’s being able to understand the essential meaning, identify key information, and infer basic details.
This guide will show you exactly what to expect in the DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension section and how to train effectively.
In the DELF B1 exam, the reading section consists of two separate exercises, and you have 45 minutes to complete both.
- Exercise 1: Focuses on global understanding and identifying key information in the text.
- Exercise 2: Requires more detailed answers or reasoning, such as true/false justification, matching, or short open-ended responses.
Practicing both types of exercises is essential for success in DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension, as it mirrors the structure, timing, and expectations of the real exam.
1. What the DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension Evaluates
The DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension assesses your ability to:
- understand the main idea of a text
- identify specific information (dates, reasons, opinions, goals)
- understand the writer’s intention (to inform, convince, warn, etc.)
- follow a logical progression
- distinguish between facts and opinions
- infer meaning from context, even when you don’t know every word
At the B1 level, you are not expected to understand every nuance — but you must show that you can handle real-life texts confidently.
2. What Types of Texts Appear in DELF B1?
The exam includes two texts, each followed by comprehension questions. Typical B1-level texts include:
- public announcements (transport, municipal updates)
- information sheets (events, activities, services)
- emails from colleagues or friends
- blog posts or forum entries
- simple press articles
- brochures or advertisements
These texts are chosen to reflect everyday life so that students can demonstrate practical reading abilities.
DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension focuses on real-life texts that matter.
3. Common Question Types
The DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension section uses a mix of:
✔ Multiple-choice questions (QCM) – Choose the correct answer among three or four options.
✔ True / false justification – Indicate whether a statement is true or false and justify with a line from the text.
✔ Matching – Match pieces of information (e.g., activities with descriptions).
✔ Open-ended questions – Short, direct answers — usually one or two sentences, never long paragraphs.
✔ Global understanding questions – Identify the main idea or intention of the text.
What matters most is precision and clarity, not long or complicated answers.
4. Strategies to Improve Your Reading Skills for DELF B1
A. Read the questions first
Before reading the text, look at the questions. This technique helps you know what information to look for and prevents unnecessary rereading.
B. Identify keywords — not every word
Focus on:
- dates
- numbers
- names
- opinions
- verbs that indicate change or intention (expliquer, annoncer, proposer, décider…)
Missing some vocabulary is normal at B1 — use context to deduce meaning.
C. Recognize common connectors
They guide the structure of the text:
- mais → contrast
- parce que / car → cause
- donc → consequence
- d’abord / ensuite / enfin → sequence
- cependant / pourtant → contradiction
- par exemple → illustration
Knowing these helps you understand the writer’s logic.
D. Practice scanning and skimming
- Skimming → read quickly to get the general idea
- Scanning → look for specific details (names, places, data)
The exam requires both skills.
E. Always justify clearly when asked
Your justification should be a short quote from the text — not your interpretation.
5. Common Difficulties — And How to Overcome Them
- “I try to translate the whole text.” → Focus on meaning, not word-for-word translation. Look for structure and context clues.
- “I panic when I see a new word.” → Ignore it unless it’s needed for the answer. At B1, the exam is designed so unknown words do not block comprehension.
- “I don’t finish on time.” → Train with a timer. Aim for 10–12 minutes per text when practicing.
- “I justify incorrectly.” → Use exact sentences from the text — short, precise, and relevant.
6. Example Mini-Practice for DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension
Text (B1-level problematic text):
Depuis quelques mois, le quartier de Bellevue rencontre un problème important : la pollution sonore due aux travaux de construction et au trafic intense des rues principales. Les habitants se plaignent régulièrement du bruit, qui perturbe leur sommeil et affecte la concentration des enfants pendant leurs devoirs.
La mairie a organisé plusieurs réunions pour discuter de solutions possibles. Parmi les propositions, on trouve :
- Limiter les horaires des travaux bruyants aux heures où les enfants sont à l’école (9h-16h).
- Installer des panneaux de signalisation pour réduire la vitesse des véhicules et diminuer le bruit.
- Créer des zones piétonnes dans certaines rues pour limiter le trafic.
Cependant, certains commerçants du quartier s’opposent à ces mesures, car elles pourraient réduire le nombre de clients et impacter leurs ventes. Une association de parents d’élèves a également proposé de déplacer certaines activités scolaires à l’extérieur du quartier pour protéger la santé des enfants.
La mairie promet de trouver un compromis d’ici la fin du mois et encourage les habitants à donner leur avis via le site internet ou en participant à une réunion publique prévue le 15 mars. L’objectif est de réduire les nuisances sonores tout en respectant l’activité économique du quartier.
Questions (en français) :
- Quel est le problème principal rencontré par le quartier de Bellevue ?
- Quelles sont les trois solutions proposées par la mairie pour réduire la pollution sonore ?
- Pourquoi certains commerçants sont-ils opposés aux mesures proposées ?
- Que suggère l’association de parents d’élèves pour protéger les enfants ?
- Comment la mairie invite-t-elle les habitants à participer à la solution du problème ?
- Quel est l’objectif final de la mairie en mettant en place ces mesures ?
Answers:
- La pollution sonore due aux travaux et au trafic intense.
- Limiter les horaires des travaux, installer des panneaux pour réduire la vitesse, créer des zones piétonnes.
- Parce que ces mesures pourraient réduire le nombre de clients et affecter leurs ventes.
- Déplacer certaines activités scolaires à l’extérieur du quartier.
- En donnant leur avis via le site internet ou en participant à la réunion publique.
- Réduire les nuisances sonores tout en respectant l’activité économique du quartier.
This type of practice is fundamental for DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension success.
7. Strategies to Improve Your DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension
Improving your reading skills for the DELF B1 exam requires consistent practice and structured techniques. Here are some effective strategies:
- Read regularly: Dedicate 20–30 minutes a day to reading French texts such as short articles, blog posts, newspapers, or informational documents. This develops your ability to understand general ideas quickly.
- Practice with a variety of documents: Use announcements, brochures, event descriptions, websites, and emails to become comfortable with the types of texts you will encounter.
- Work with past DELF B1 exams: Familiarize yourself with the exam format, question types, and timing. Understanding the structure helps you approach each exercise efficiently.
- Identify key information: Pay attention to dates, names, numbers, and verbs that indicate actions or intentions. This helps you locate answers faster and more accurately.
- Highlight connectors and transitional phrases: Words like mais, parce que, donc, cependant, ensuite, or par exemple provide clues to the logic of the text. Noticing these improves comprehension of the writer’s argument.
- Develop skimming and scanning skills: Skimming allows you to understand the general meaning of a text quickly, while scanning helps you locate specific details. Both are essential for DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension.
- Justify your answers clearly: When required, use short quotations from the text rather than personal interpretations. Precision and clarity are more important than long explanations.
- Build your vocabulary gradually: Learn words and expressions related to common DELF B1 themes — daily life, education, environment, health, and technology — to improve both understanding and confidence.
By following these strategies consistently, you will strengthen your DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension skills and approach the exam with greater confidence, accuracy, and efficiency.
8. What Examiners Expect at B1
To score well in the reading test, you must:
✔ understand the general message
✔ extract relevant information
✔ answer questions accurately
✔ justify correctly when required
✔ handle texts linked to everyday life
You do not need advanced vocabulary or deep literary analysis — just solid, functional comprehension.
DELF B1 Reading and Comprehension focuses on real-world skills.
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Student Testimonials
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At French via Skype, we specialize in preparing students for the DELF B1 exam, helping you certify your French language level with confidence and the full set of required skills.
If you would like to discuss your learning needs, we would be happy to create a personalised study plan tailored specifically for you.
For more information about our online DELF B1 preparation courses or to sign up for lessons, please don’t hesitate to contact us at French via Skype.
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