TOPIK Ⅱ Writing

Learn key strategies, rules, and model answers for TOPIK II Writing Questions 51 to 54.

What Is TOPIK Question 53? What to Look At and What to Write

작성자:
TOPIK question 53 
Prefer to study in Korean? 👉 [ 한국어로 읽기 ]

Welcome back! 😊

In Part 4, we learned the TOPIK writing scoring criteria. Today we finally start TOPIK Question 53.

Question 53 has a graph and numbers, so it can look hard at first. But don’t worry. Question 53 is not a question where you write your own free opinion.

💡 Remember just this:

Question 53 asks you to look at the given data, pick only the important points, and describe them in 200–300 characters. You describe the data, not your opinion.

1. What Is TOPIK Question 53?

Question 53
Points30
Length200–300 characters
You writea text that describes the data (graph/chart)
You don’t writea title, or your free opinion

2. Let’s look at a real question (60th test)

TOPIK Question 53
[한국어능력시험 60회 TOPIK2 1교시 쓰기 문제]

The prompt begins like this:

다음을 참고하여 ‘인주시의 자전거 이용자 변화’에 대한 글을 200~300자로 쓰십시오. 단, 글의 제목을 쓰지 마십시오.

Write about “the change in bicycle users in Inju City” in 200–300 characters. Do not write a title.

The first thing to look at is not the graph — it’s the TOPIC.

주제 = ‘인주시의 자전거 이용자 변화’

Topic = the change in bicycle users in Inju City

So we write only about this topic. Don’t write your own story like “저는 자전거를 좋아합니다”

3. Break the data into 3 parts

Looking at the whole graph and writing right away is hard. First split it, and find just one key point in each part.

DataWhat you seeThe key point
① 자전거 이용자 수2007년 4만 → 2012년 9만 → 2017년 21만 명약 5배 늘었다
② 변화 이유자전거 도로 개발 / 빌리는 곳 확대이유 두 가지
③ 이용 목적운동·산책 4배 / 출퇴근 14배 / 기타 3배출퇴근이 14배로 가장 많이 늘었다

You don’t write every number. Just catch the biggest feature of each part.

4. See how those 3 parts become a real answer

Here is a real model answer for this question (299 characters). Notice how the three parts of the data simply become sentences — nothing extra is added.

TOPIK Question 53

👉 Here is how each data part appears in the answer

인주시의 자전거 이용자 변화를 살펴보면, 자전거 이용자 수는 2007년 4만 명에서 2012년에는 9만 명, 2017년에는 21만 명으로, 지난 10년간 약 5배 증가하였다. 특히 2012년부터 2017년까지 자전거 이용자 수가 급증한 것으로 나타났다. 이와 같이 자전거 이용자 수가 증가한 이유는 자전거 도로가 개발되고 자전거 빌리는 곳이 확대되었기 때문인 것으로 보인다. 자전거 이용 목적을 보면, 10년간 운동 및 산책은 4배, 출퇴근은 14배, 기타는 3배 늘어난 것으로 나타났으며, 출퇴근 시 이용이 가장 높은 증가율을 보였다.

Data partIn the model answer
① 자전거 이용자 수“…2007년 4만 명 … 2017년 21만 명 … 약 5배 증가하였다”
② 변화 이유“…자전거 도로가 개발되고 자전거 빌리는 곳이 확대되었기 때문…”
③ 이용 목적“…운동 및 산책은 4배, 출퇴근은 14배 … 출퇴근 시 이용이 가장 높은 증가율…”

Three quick things to notice:

✅ It follows the order: overall change → reason → purpose.
✅ Every sentence ends in written style (증가하였다, 보인다, 나타났으며) — no “-요/-습니다”.
✅ It is 299 characters — right inside 200–300. It picks the key points and adds nothing from outside the data.

5. Five things to be careful about

① Write the data, not your opinion. (I like bicycles ❌)
② Don’t write every number — only the key features. (about 5×, commuting 14×)
③ Don’t write anything not in the data. (e.g., “because of health” — not in the data ❌)
④ Don’t write a title. Start with the body.
⑤ Use written style “-다,” not speaking style. (늘었어요 ❌ → 늘었다 ✅)

And remember from Part 4: graders check content, structure, and language — did you write on topic, in order, and in accurate written style? (For more details on grading 👉 Part 4)

6. Today’s practice — just read the data

You don’t need to write 200–300 characters yet. Just look at the graph and answer the six questions below in written style (“-다”). Click each one to check.

1. 이 문제의 주제는 무엇인가요?

🔽 See the answer Q: What is the topic of this question?

A:이 문제의 주제는 인주시의 자전거 이용자 변화이다.
The topic is the change in bicycle users in Inju City.

2. 2007년 자전거 이용자는 몇 명이었나요?

🔽 See the answer Q: How many bicycle users were there in 2007?

A:2007년에는 4만 명이었다.
There were 40,000 in 2007.

3. 2017년에는 몇 명이었나요?

🔽 See the answer Q: How many were there in 2017?

A:2017년에는 21만 명이었다.
There were 210,000 in 2017.

4. 약 몇 배 늘었나요?

🔽 See the answer Q: About how many times did it increase?

A:약 5배 늘었다.
It increased about 5 times.

5. 변화 이유는 무엇인가요?

🔽 See the answer Q: What are the reasons for the change?

A:변화 이유는 자전거 도로 개발과 자전거 빌리는 곳 확대이다.
The reasons are new bike roads and more rental places.

6.이용 목적 중 가장 많이 늘어난 것은?

🔽 See the answer Q: Which purpose of use increased the most?

A: 출퇴근 목적이 가장 많이 늘었다. Commuting increased the most.

Summary 🌱

Question 53 asks you to describe the given data in 200–300 characters — not your own opinion.

Look at the topic first → split the data into 3 parts → pick only the key feature of each → don’t add outside info or a title → write in written style “-다”.

Don’t try to finish a full answer from the start. Begin by writing one accurate sentence from the data.

Next time, we learn the first training before writing Question 53: how to read a graph (marking it before you write).

See you in the next lesson!

🔎 Still finding levels 1–2 hard? Review the basics first 👉 [ TOPIK I study ]

❓ FAQ

Q: Can I write my own opinion in Question 53?
A: No. You describe the data. Only a very short summary at the end is okay.

Q: Do I have to write every number?
A: No. Pick only the key features (increased about 5×; commuting rose 14×).

Q: Do I write a title?
A: No. Question 53 has no title — start with the body.

Q: Can I write “늘었어요”?
A: No. Use the written style “늘었다.”

<Latest Posts>

TOPIK Writing Scoring: The 3 Things Graders Check

작성자:
TOPIK Writing Scoring 
Prefer to study in Korean? 👉 [ 한국어로 읽기 ]

Welcome back! 😊

Understanding TOPIK Writing Scoring is key to a high score. In Part 3, we learned how to use the TOPIK writing paper (원고지). Haven’t seen it? Read it first 👉 [ Part 3 link ]

Today we learn something very important: how TOPIK writing is scored. Many students think like this.

“If I know a lot of grammar, I get a high score.”
“If I use difficult words, my score is good.”
“If I just write many characters, it’s fine.”

Grammar and vocabulary are important, of course. But graders don’t look only at those. They look at three big things.

💡 Remember just this: 
Graders check ① Content · ② Structure · ③ Language.

• Content = Did you answer the question?

• Structure = Does it flow in order?

• Language = Is it accurate and in written style?

1. Why should you know the scoring criteria?

TOPIK writing is not simply “write something in Korean.” It is a test where you read what the question asks, and write to match it. So even if you write many nice sentences, you won’t get a good score if you don’t answer the question.

For example, imagine the question asks:

Q: Write about your most memorable trip.

Where did you go? Why is it memorable? What did you do on the trip?

If a student only writes “I like travel. Travel is fun,” the sentences may be correct. But the student did not answer what the question asked. The important thing is not just writing Korean sentences — it’s writing an answer that fits the question.

2. What does Level 3 writing need?

Level 3 does not ask for perfect, advanced writing. The official Level 3 criteria say you should be able to write about familiar topics, write a simple text with the structure of an explanatory passage, and write using the written-style ending (문어체 종결형).

In simple words, a student aiming for Level 3 should be able to write:

an easy topic · in paragraphs · in written-style sentences · with connected content

You don’t need many difficult words from the start. First, writing on-topic, in order, and accurately is what matters.

3. How TOPIK Writing Scoring Works

Graders give points in three areas. The point breakdown shows you what matters most.

AreaQ53 (30 pts)Q54 (50 pts)
Content & task712
Structure712
Language use1626

Look — language use is more than half in both questions. That’s exactly why the written style and accurate sentences we learned in Part 2 matter so much. (How each area splits into high/mid/low, we’ll see in detail later, when we study Questions 53 and 54.)

4. First, “Content” — did you answer the question?

The first thing graders check is content. In simple words: “Did you answer what the question asked?”

Question 53 gives you data (a graph or chart). So instead of writing many of your own opinions, you should accurately write what is in the data / what is high or low / what the differences are.

Question 54 asks for your own opinion on a topic. But you must answer all of the questions given in the prompt.

5. How to get content points

Before you write, first mark what the question is asking. For example, if Question 54 has three questions:

① What is the problem? ② Why does it happen? ③ How can it be solved?

Then answer each one with one sentence. Don’t try to write a long text at the start.

One question = one answer.

This is the first way to earn content points.

6. Second, “Structure” — does it flow in order?

The second thing is structure, the order of your writing. In a good text, sentences don’t appear randomly — ideas connect naturally.

Question 53 usually goes like this:

① Introduce what the data is → ② The most important point → ③ Compare / show differences → ④ Final summary

Question 54 goes like this:

① Introduce the topic → ② Your opinion → ③ Reasons / examples → ④ Conclusion

The official criteria also check whether the writing is logical, whether paragraphs are well divided, and whether you use linking expressions (담화 표지) well. These are words like:

먼저 (first) · 그리고 (and) · 그러나 (but) · 그래서 (so) · 따라서 (therefore) · 마지막으로 (finally)

7. Weak structure vs. good structure

Weak structure

저는 운동을 좋아한다. 건강이 중요하다. 친구도 운동을 한다. 요즘 사람들은 바쁘다. 운동은 좋다.

Every sentence is Korean. But it’s hard to see what the writer wants to say first, or why.

Good structure

건강을 위해 운동은 중요하다. 먼저 운동을 하면 몸이 건강해진다. 그리고 스트레스를 줄일 수 있다. 그래서 바쁜 사람들도 조금씩 운동하는 것이 좋다.

This is much more natural, because it has an order: topic → reason 1 → reason 2 → conclusion.

8. Third, “Language” — accurate and appropriate?

The third thing is language — vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and written style. In simple words:

Did you use the right words? Is the grammar correct? Are spelling and spacing okay? Did you use written style, not speaking style?

Here is a very important official rule. Using the endings “-ㅂ니다/습니다” or “-아/어요” loses points. So “-습니다” is not okay, and “-아/어요” is not okay either. The written style “-다 / -이다” is the correct one.

사람이 많아요. / 저는 그렇게 생각해요. (❌)
사람이 많다. / 나는 그렇게 생각한다. (✅)

This is why the “-다 / -이다” written style from Part 2 is so important.

9. Correct sentences come before hard words

A common student mistake: forcing in difficult words to get a higher score. But if you use a word you can’t use correctly yet, your writing becomes strange.

많은 사람은 운동이 필요하다. → (a little more natural) 많은 사람에게 운동이 필요하다.

Even with easy words, using the right particles and grammar matters. One correct sentence is often more valuable than one difficult word In TOPIK writing scoring.

10. Questions 51 and 52 also have criteria

Questions 51 and 52 are not long writing. You fill in the blank. But the rules here are clear too. You must look at the sentences before and after the blank and make the content connect naturally. If you use words or grammar that don’t fit the context, or add unnecessary content, you lose points.

Don’t write freely. · Read the sentence before and after. · Write one sentence. · Don’t add unnecessary words.

Also, even if your 51/52 answer is not perfect, points are given step by step, depending on how correctly you used the connecting and ending forms. So don’t leave it blank — always try.

11. Is a mistake always 0 points?

No. In TOPIK writing, you can get partial credit even if your answer is not perfect.

Even if it’s not perfect, you get points when you write.

So leaving a blank or skipping Question 54 because you’re afraid of small mistakes is not a good strategy. Write as much as you can, on topic.

But these two things are 0 points. Be careful!

⚠️ Copying the question (the test paper) word for word → 0 points.
⚠️ Writing on a completely different topic → 0 points.

12. What makes a good answer?

In official sample answers, high-scoring writing is not just good grammar. It writes what, why, and how clearly and specifically, has a beginning–middle–end, uses intermediate expressions accurately, and uses written style. So a good answer is good in all three:

Clear content. · Natural order. · Accurate Korean.

13. Five checks after you write

  1. Did you answer everything the question asked? (If there are 3 questions, answer all 3.)
  2. Did you avoid writing things unrelated to the topic?
  3. Is the order natural? (beginning, middle, end)
  4. Did you avoid listing only short sentences? (e.g., “운동은 좋다. 건강에 좋다.” → “운동은 건강에 좋기 때문에 많은 사람에게 필요하다.”)
  5. Are there sentences ending in “-아요/어요”? (좋아요 → 좋다 / 생각해요 → 생각한다)

Summary 🌱

In TOPIK writing scoring, graders check three big things: Content · Structure · Language.

AreaMeaning
ContentDid you write to match the question?
StructureDoes the writing flow in order?
LanguageDid you use vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and written style well?

Don’t try to write a perfect text from the start. Just practicing these four steps makes writing much easier.

Find the questions → Answer each with one sentence → Connect the sentences in order → Change them to “-다 / -이다” written style.

Take it slowly, one step at a time, and you can reach the level you want. If you have a question, leave a comment.

From the next post, we finally study Question 53. We’ll look at what kind of question it is, and what to read and write.

See you in the next lesson!

🔎 Still finding levels 1–2 hard? Review the basics first 👉 [ TOPIK I study ]

❓ FAQ

Q: What do graders check in TOPIK writing?
A: Three things — content (did you answer the question), structure (does it flow in order), and language (accurate and in written style).

Q: Which area has the most points?
A: Language use. It’s 16 of 30 points in Q53 and 26 of 50 in Q54 — more than half. That’s why written style and accuracy matter.

Q: Is a small mistake always 0 points?
A: No. There is partial credit, so you get points even if it’s not perfect. But copying the question or writing on a completely different topic gives 0 points.

Q: Can I write with “-습니다”?
A: No. Both “-ㅂ니다/습니다” and “-아/어요” lose points. Use the written style “-다 / -이다.”

<Latest Posts>

How to Use TOPIK Writing Paper (원고지): 5 Simple Rules (Part 3)

작성자:
TOPIK Writing Paper 
📢 한국어로 공부하고 싶어요? 👉  [ 한국어로 읽기 ]

Welcome back! 😊 Today, let’s learn how to use the TOPIK writing paper (원고지) step by step.

In Part 2, we learned the “-다 / -이다” written style used in TOPIK writing. Haven’t seen it yet? Read it first 👉 [ Part 2 How to change “-아요/어요” into “-다”].

Today is about the TOPIK writing paper — in Korean it’s called 원고지. When you first see all the little squares, it can look complicated. But don’t worry. Today you don’t need to memorize every rule. You only need these three things.

💡 Remember just these:

  • What goes in one square?
  • How do I handle spaces?
  • How long are 200 and 600 characters?

Let’s take them one at a time.

1. Why does TOPIK use writing paper?

In Questions 53 and 54 you write longer text.

Question 53 is 200–300 characters, and Question 54 is 600–700 characters.

So the answer sheet has small squares for your writing.

These squares make it easy to see where your writing starts, whether you left spaces, and how much you have written. It feels awkward at first, but after a few tries it becomes easy.

2. The most important rule: one character per square

This is the first rule to remember. Write one character in one square. And a space also takes one empty square.

For example, “한국어가 좋다.” looks like this:

So don’t write it all joined together like “한국어가좋다.” Leave spaces, just like normal writing.

3. Leave the first square empty when you begin

When you start writing, don’t write in the very first square. Leave the first square empty and start from the second square.

For example, if you begin with “나는 한국어를 공부한다.”, it starts like this:

Why leave it empty? It shows that a new paragraph is starting.

💡 Remember

  • New text → leave the first square empty
  • New paragraph → leave the first square empty

4. A new line is NOT a new paragraph

Beginners often get confused here.

When a line ends and you move down to the next line, that is not a new paragraph. So keep writing from the first square of the next line. Do not leave it empty again.

In other words, changing lines and changing paragraphs are different.

SituationFirst square
Just a new lineKeep writing from the first square
A new paragraphLeave it empty, start from the second square

Just remember this difference. Also, if there is no room to leave a space at the end of a line, don’t leave the next line’s first square empty — start the next word right from the first square.

5. Punctuation also takes one square

When a sentence ends, write a period “.” Punctuation marks also go one per square. A comma “,” is the same. (Write the period and comma in the bottom-left of the square, like the image below.)

The official rule says to leave one empty square after “?” and “!”, but you don’t have to leave a square after a period “.“, comma “,“, or colon “:“.

For now, you don’t need many complex marks. Just learning to use the period correctly is enough.

6. What if the sentence ends in the last square?

Sometimes you write the last character in the last square, but you still need a period. There is no square left. In this case, do not go to the next line just for the period. Write the last character and the period together in the same last square. It looks a little strange at first, but it is the official rule.

7. Numbers are written differently

When you study Question 53, you write many numbers. (For example: 2026년, 100%, 30명.) Unlike Korean letters, Arabic numbers go two digits per square. If you can’t split it evenly, write two digits per square from the front, and put the rest in the next square.

For English letters, write capital letters one per square, and lowercase letters two per square.

Don’t worry about memorizing this perfectly now. Once you start writing Question 53 graphs, you’ll use numbers often and get used to it naturally.

8. So how long is 200~300 characters?

This is the question students ask most.

“Teacher, how much is 200~300 characters?”

At first it’s hard to count 200, 300 characters in your head. So it’s better to get a feel using the squares. On the right side of the official paper you’ll see numbers like 50 → 100 → 150 → 200 → 250, so you can check how much you’ve written with your eyes.

And one very important thing!

💡 When you count characters, spaces (empty squares) also count as one character each. The answer sheet even says “between 600 and 700 characters, including spaces.”

Since Question 53 is 200–300 characters, think of it as writing past the 200 mark and up to just inside 300.

At first, don’t try to write it all at once — grow it slowly: 50 → 100 → 150 → 200.

9. How long are 300, 600, and 700 characters?

300 characters is just 100 more than 200. It’s the length of a few more sentences.

Question 54 is 600–700 characters. It looks very long at first, but don’t think of 600 as one big block. Think of it as 200 + 200 + 200 — connect three short parts and you get about 600 characters.

Also, the goal is not to fill every square up to 700. What matters is writing what the question asks in the right length. Repeating the same words or adding useless sentences just to reach the number is not a good idea.

600 characters is not a “wall you must fill.” It’s the length you build by connecting several sentences.

For both 53 and 54, we’ll practice step by step later: one sentence → connect two → the whole text.

10. Do I have to count every character?

You don’t need to count “one, two, three…” during the test. The paper marks your position every 50 characters, so you can see about how long your writing is. If you practice with real writing paper, you’ll get a feel like “about here is 100 characters.” That feeling makes the real test much easier.

11. Common mistakes on the writing paper

Beginners often make these mistakes on the TOPIK writing paper.

❌ Two characters in one square
❌ No spaces between words
❌ Leaving the first square empty every time the line changes
❌ Not leaving the first square empty for a new paragraph
❌ Writing the period outside the square
❌ Writing numbers one digit per square, like Korean letters

You don’t have to be perfect from the start. With writing paper, actually writing by hand is much more important than just reading.

12. Let’s write today ✏️

Writing paper is learned by hand, not just by eyes. Prepare a squared notebook, or download the real TOPIK answer sheet below and practice on it.

📄 Download 👉 TOPIK II writing answer sheets & 원고지 사용법 (manuscript paper guide) PDF

<Practice 1>

한국어를 배우는 학생이 많다.

Check: Did you leave the first square empty? / One character per square? / A space square between words? / A period at the end?

<Practice 2>

나는 학교에서 한국어를 공부한다. 친구와 같이 공부하면 재미있다.

There are two sentences. A finished sentence is not a new paragraph. So even if the line changes in the second sentence, do not leave the first square empty.

<Practice 3>
Try copying a 200–300 character piece, like a real TOPIK answer. Once you copy it a few times, it becomes familiar fast. Want more? Download the file below and copy a Question 54 model answer too.

You can download the 원고지 사용법 (manuscript paper guide) PDF in 12. Let’s write today above. 👆

⚠️ One more thing! If you turn the answer sheet sideways and write, you get 0 points. Keep the answer sheet upright, in the given direction.

Summary 🌱

Here are the five things to remember today.

Rule
①Write one character per square
②A space takes one empty square (and it counts as a character)
③Leave the first square empty for new text / a new paragraph
④Don’t leave the first square empty when only the line changes
⑤Q53 is 200–300 characters, Q54 is 600–700 characters

And one more thing. Don’t be afraid of the character count from the start. You build 200 characters by connecting sentences one by one, and 600 characters by joining short parts one by one. We’ll practice that step by step.

Take it slowly, one step at a time, and you can reach the level you want.

If you have any questions about using the TOPIK writing paper, leave a comment.

Next time, we’ll learn what graders look at when they give points in TOPIK writing.

See you in the next lesson!

🔎 Still finding levels 1–2 hard? Review the basics first 👉 [ TOPIK I study ]

❓ FAQ

Q: How many characters go in one square on the writing paper?

A: Just one character. A space also takes one empty square.

Q: When do I leave the first square empty?

A: When you start new text or a new paragraph. When only the line changes, do not leave it empty.

Q: How do I write numbers?

A: Arabic numbers go two digits per square. Example: 2025 → 20 | 25.

Q: Do spaces count in the character count?

A: Yes, spaces (empty squares) count as characters. Also, if you turn the answer sheet sideways, you get 0 points — always keep it upright.

<Latest Posts>

TOPIK Writing Style: Turn Speaking Into “-다” Sentences (3 Simple Rules)-Part 2

작성자:
TOPIK writing style 

🔎 한국어로 읽고 싶어요? 👉 [ 한국어로 읽기 ]

Welcome back! 😊

In Part 1 we learned what the TOPIK writing test looks like.

Today we learn the first real skill of TOPIK writing style: how to change the way you speak into the way you write on the test.

New to this? Don’t worry. There is really just one big idea, plus one small thing to watch. Let’s go slowly, together.

📌 Remember just one thing:
in TOPIK writing style, drop the speaking ending “-아요/어요” and end the sentence with “-다.”
eg. 사람이 많아요 → 사람이 많다

💡One thing to watch:
The exact ending changes a little depending on the word type — noun, verb, or adjective. (Explained below.)

Speaking vs writing

We speak in a friendly way.
But for TOPIK Questions 53 and 54, we write a little differently.

SpeakingWriting (test)
거리에 사람이 많아요.거리에 사람이 많다.
오늘 서울은 날씨가 좋아요.오늘 서울은 날씨가 좋다.
저는 한국 대학교 학생이에요.나는 한국 대학교 학생이다.

Rule 1 — Adjectives and nouns

Adjectives (big, good, many…) and “noun + 이에요/예요” become “-다 / -이다.”

SpeakingWriting
많아요많다
좋아요좋다
학생이에요학생이다
문제예요문제이다

Rule 2 — Past tense

Past “-았어요/었어요” becomes “-았다/었다.” The past meaning stays the same.

SpeakingWriting
많았어요많았다
좋았어요좋았다
만났어요만났다

Rule 3 — Present-tense verbs (watch here ⚠️)

Present-tense verbs are the one different case. They become “-ㄴ다/는다.”
There are just three patterns.

TypeRuleExample
No batchim (final consonant)-ㄴ다가다 → 간다
Has batchim-는다먹다 → 먹는다 / 읽다 → 읽는다
“-하다” verbs-한다공부하다 → 공부한다

The most common mistake: 저 → 나, 제 → 내

📌 Many students forget this!
In speaking we say 저 / 제, but in TOPIK writing style we use 나 / 내.
SpeakingWriting
저는 학생이에요.나는 학생이다.
제 방이 커요.내 방이 크다.
제가 만들었어요.내가 만들었다.

So: 저 → 나, 제 → 내, 제가 → 내가. “저/제” are polite speaking words, but writing uses “나/내.”

Longer sentences work the same way

Even in a long sentence, just change the last part.

SpeakingWriting
한국어를 배우는 학생이 많아요.한국어를 배우는 학생이 많다.
저는 친구와 같이 한국 음식을 먹었어요.나는 친구와 같이 한국 음식을 먹었다.

Practice: change speaking into writing ✏️

Change each speaking sentence into TOPIK writing style.
📢 Try it first, then open the answer to check.

1. 거리에 사람이 많아요.

→ (                               )


🔽 See the answer (1)

거리에 사람이 많다.

📝 This is an adjective. Drop “-아요” and add -다. (많아요 → 많다)


2. 오늘 서울은 날씨가 좋아요.

→ (                                )


🔽 See the answer (2)

오늘 서울은 날씨가 좋다.

📝 Also an adjective. End it with -다. (좋아요 → 좋다)


3. 저는 한국 대학교 학생이에요.

→ (                                )


🔽 See the answer (3)

나는 한국 대학교 학생이다.

📝 “Noun + 이에요/예요” becomes -이다. Also change 저는 → 나는. (학생이에요 → 학생이다)


4. 여기는 제가 다니는 학교예요.

→ (                                )


🔽 See the answer (4)

여기는 내가 다니는 학교이다.

📝 “-예요” also becomes -이다. And change 제가 → 내가. (학교예요 → 학교이다)


5. 어제 오랜만에 고향 친구를 만났어요.

→ (                                )


🔽 See the answer (5)

어제 오랜만에 고향 친구를 만났다.

📝 It’s the past, so use -았다/었다. The past meaning stays. (만났어요 → 만났다)


6. 학생들이 아침 일찍 학교에 가요.

→ (                                )


🔽 See the answer (6)

학생들이 아침 일찍 학교에 간다.

📝 A present-tense verb. No batchim, so -ㄴ다. (가 + ㄴ다 = 간다)


7. 지하철에서 많은 사람들이 책을 읽어요.

→ (                                )


🔽 See the answer (7)

지하철에서 많은 사람들이 책을 읽는다.

📝 A present-tense verb. Has batchim, so -는다. (읽 + 는다 = 읽는다)


8. 제 친구가 매일 한국어를 공부해요.

→ (                                )


🔽 See the answer (8)

내 친구가 매일 한국어를 공부한다.

📝 “-하다” verbs become -한다. And change 제 → 내. (공부해요 → 공부한다)


9. 요즘 한국어를 배우는 외국인 학생이 많아요.

→ (                                )


🔽 See the answer (9)

요즘 한국어를 배우는 외국인 학생이 많다.

📝 Long sentence, but don’t worry — just change the last part. (많아요 → 많다)


10. 주말에 가족과 같이 공원에 갔어요.

→ (                                )


🔽 See the answer (10)

주말에 가족과 같이 공원에 갔다.

📝 It’s the past, so use -았다/었다. (갔어요 → 갔다)

Remember these 3 things

TypeChange like this
① Adjectives & 이다많아요 → 많다 / 학생이에요 → 학생이다
② Past갔어요 → 갔다 / 먹었어요 → 먹었다
③ Present verbs가요 → 간다 / 먹어요 → 먹는다

Only present-tense verbs use “-ㄴ다/는다.” Everything else is simply “-다.”

Practice 5 more minutes on your own

Think of a sentence you say often.
First write it the speaking way (“-아요/어요”), then change it to TOPIK writing style.
Just 5 sentences a day is enough.

Practice with AI 🤖

If it’s hard to practice alone, you can use an AI.
Copy the text below.

I am a beginner studying TOPIK II writing. Please give me one easy Korean sentence at a time. I will change the “-아요/어요” sentence into a “-다” written sentence. Check if my answer is correct, and if it is wrong, explain why in easy Korean. Please check present-tense verbs (“-ㄴ다/는다”) carefully.

⚠️ AI can make mistakes. Always check important test rules with real past exams or a trusted textbook.

Summary

In TOPIK writing style, instead of speaking words like 많아요 / 학생이에요 / 공부해요, we write 많다 / 학생이다 / 공부한다. You don’t need hard vocabulary yet — first practice writing correct sentences with easy words you already know.
Longer writing comes next.

Great job today!

Practice a little each day, and you can reach the level you want. 🌱

See you in the next lesson!

🔎 Still finding levels 1–2 hard? Review the basics first 👉 [ TOPIK I study ]

❓ FAQ

Q: How do sentences end in TOPIK writing?

A: Most sentences end with “-다.” Example: 사람이 많아요 → 사람이 많다.

Q: Does every word change to “-다”?

A: Adjectives, “-이다,” and the past simply become “-다” (많다, 학생이다, 갔다). Only present-tense verbs change to “-ㄴ다/는다” (가요 → 간다, 먹어요 → 먹는다).

Q: What is the most common student mistake?

A: Using 저 / 제. In written style, change 저 → 나 and 제 → 내.

Q: Do I need to know many difficult words?

A: No. Writing correct sentences with easy words comes first. Longer writing comes after that.

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TOPIK Writing Explained: 4 Questions, 100 Points, Where to Start (Part 1)

작성자:
TOPIK writing 

🔎 한국어로 읽고 싶어요? 👉 [한국어로 읽기]

Hello. Today, let’s learn about the TOPIK writing test. TOPIK writing is too hard, isn’t it?

Almost every student says this.

“I can read, but I can’t write. Can I just skip writing?”

Writing feels hard — I know that feeling well. But here is the good news: with a few simple methods, you can write much more easily. Why? Because TOPIK writing is not a test for people who are “very good at Korean.”

It is a test for people who write by the rules. So we will not start with difficult grammar. We will solve your problems one by one, slowly.

One thing first: this is an intermediate test (TOPIK II). If levels 1–2 still feel hard, review beginner words and grammar first. If your basic grammar is wrong, every sentence becomes wrong — and a good score becomes very hard. 🔎 Review the basics first 👉 [TOPIK I study]

Today, in Part 1, you only need to learn one thing: What kind of test is TOPIK writing?

How many questions are on the TOPIK writing test?

The TOPIK II writing test has 4 questions, and you have 50 minutes.

QuestionWhat you writeLengthPoints
51Two short sentences in a short text (message, notice)Short10
52Two sentences in an explanation textShort10
53A description of a graph or chart200–300 characters30
54A long essay about a topic (your opinion)600–700 characters50

Together, the four questions are 100 points.

What should you study first?

Look at the points again.

Question 53 (30 points) + Question 54 (50 points) = 80 points.

That is 80 of the 100 writing points in just two questions.

So we will not study in order from Question 51. We will start with Question 53, because it follows a clear pattern. Even a student who just finished the beginner level can write it well with practice.

This is our first promise: start with the easiest points, one by one.

Don’t worry: a low writing score is okay

Many students think: “Do I need level 3 in writing?” No. There is no “writing level 3” in TOPIK.

Your level comes from the total of listening + reading + writing.

LevelTotal score (out of 300)
Level 3120 or more
Level 4150 or more
Level 5190 or more
Level 6230 or more

There is also no minimum score for one section. So even if your writing is a little weak, you can still reach your level with points from listening and reading.

Don’t be afraid. Our goal is not “perfect writing.” Our goal is to get the points you can get in writing. With this idea, you are already halfway there.

Test writing is different from speaking

One more important thing. In TOPIK writing, you do not write the way you speak.

· Speaking: 사람이 많아요. → Writing: 사람이 많다.


· Speaking: 시간이 필요해요. → Writing: 시간이 필요하다.

This writing style is called 문어체 (written style). It looks difficult, but the rule is simple.

For today, just remember: test sentences end with “-다.” We will practice this easily in Part 2.

(You may see people online say you must write with “-습니다.” But for TOPIK 53 and 54, the “-다” written style is standard. More on this in Part 2.)

How this series works

  • Part 1 (today): What kind of test is TOPIK writing? ✅
  • Part 2: Make test sentences (“-아요/어요” → “-다”)
  • Part 3: How to use the answer sheet and count characters
  • Part 4: What graders look at when they give points in TOPIK writing.
  • After that: Question 53 → 51·52 → 54, one step at a time!

Follow slowly. You do not need to do everything well at once.

Summary

  • TOPIK writing has 4 questions, 50 minutes, 100 points.
  • Question 53 + 54 = 80 points → start here.
  • Your level comes from the total score. A low writing score is okay.
  • Write with “-다” (written style).

Great job today! Practice slowly, one step at a time, and you can reach the level you want.

If you have a question, leave a comment. 🥰

See you in Part 2! 🌱

🔎 Still finding levels 1–2 hard? Review the basics first 👉 [ TOPIK I study ]

❓ FAQ

Q: How many questions are on the TOPIK writing test, and how many points?

A: There are 4 questions, 50 minutes, and 100 points in total. Questions 53 and 54 are worth 80 points, so they matter the most.

Q: Which question should I study first?

A: Start with Question 53 (the biggest points), then 51 and 52, and Question 54 last.

Q: If my writing score is low, can I still get a level?

A: Yes. Your level comes from the total of listening, reading, and writing, and there is no minimum score for a single section. Even if writing is weak, you can reach your level with points from listening and reading.

Q: Can I write test sentences the way I speak?

A: No. Write in the written style that ends with “-다” (for example, 많아요 → 많다), not the speaking style. We practice this in Part 2.

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