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TOPIK II Writing (쓰기) Q51–54 Explained
The TOPIK II writing section has 4 questions in 50 minutes, worth 100 points. It is the section where many learners lose the most points, and also where practice pays off fastest.
| Q | Task | Length | Points* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Practical text (notice, email, message) with two blanks ㉠ ㉡ | 1 sentence each | 10 |
| 52 | Explanatory paragraph with two blanks | 1 sentence each | 10 |
| 53 | Describe a graph or table | 200–300 characters | 30 |
| 54 | Opinion essay on a social topic | 600–700 characters | 50 |
*Per-question points are as reported from published answer keys.
Q51: fill the blanks in a practical text
Read the whole notice or message first. The sentence you write must fit the context and the register: if the text uses -습니다/-요, your sentence must too. Look at what comes right after the blank; it usually tells you the grammar you need.
Q52: fill the blanks in an explanatory paragraph
This is logic. Find the connective before the blank (그러나, 따라서, 예를 들어) and write the sentence that the paragraph needs. Use written -다 style.
Q53: describe a graph in 200–300 characters
Describe every number and trend shown, then the reasons or outlook if given. Do not add your own opinion. Read our step-by-step guide: How to write TOPIK Q53.
Q54: argumentative essay in 600–700 characters
Answer all the guiding questions in an introduction, body and conclusion. It is scored on task completion, structure, and range and accuracy of language. See How to write TOPIK Q54, with a full example.
The -다 style rule
For Q52–54, write in plain written style: -다, -ㄴ다/는다, -았다, -ㄹ 것이다. Writing the essay in -아요 or -습니다 is widely taught to lose points.
Counting characters
The answer sheet is a 원고지 grid, so spaces count as characters. 600–700 characters is about 3 short paragraphs. Writing less than the minimum loses marks, and so does going far over.
Practise now: TOPIK II writing practice has 40 original Q51–54 tasks with a character counter, a -다 style check and model answers.