TOPIK II Writing Questions 51–52: Complete the Sentence from Context

You recognize most of the words in the passage. But when you have to write something in the blank yourself, you get stuck. Even a sentence that makes sense on its own can feel awkward between the surrounding sentences.

Do not start by searching your memory for an impressive grammar pattern. First decide what the missing sentence needs to say, then connect that meaning to the text around it.

This guide focuses on writing questions 51–52 in the paper-based TOPIK II test (PBT). The exercises below show how to find clues in context and check the answer you write.

What kind of answer belongs in the blank?

For questions 51–52, you complete each blank with one sentence. The official guide emphasizes context-appropriate content and language, and warns against unnecessary additions or repeating wording that already appears outside the blank. See the official TOPIK II writing guide, pages 1–2.

Write only the missing wording in the answer space. When part of the sentence is already printed, complete it without copying those surrounding words.

Check two things together.

Does the answer supply the missing message? A sentence giving a reason may need a result or request after it. An announcement needs to communicate information its reader can use.

Does the expression fit this particular place? The meaning may be relevant, but a blunt statement can be awkward in a request. An unexplained change in writing style can also interrupt an explanatory passage.

Check three things before writing

For example, if the next sentence asks someone to say by Friday whether something is possible, the earlier text needs to establish the plan or action they are being asked about.

Put that missing message into simple words first. Turning a clear idea into a Korean sentence is a more focused task than searching for grammar without knowing what you want to say.

Question 51 practice: find what the reader needs to know

This is an original practice passage, created for this guide. It is not an official past question or official model answer.

안녕하세요. 이번 주 한국어 공부 모임 안내입니다.
원래 토요일 오전 10시에 모이기로 했지만, 그 시간에는 모임 장소를 사용할 수 없게 되었습니다.
그래서 ( ㉠ ).
변경된 시간에 ( ㉡ )?
참석 여부를 금요일까지 알려 주십시오.

Meaning: This is an announcement about this week's Korean study group. The group originally planned to meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, but the venue is no longer available at that time. “So, (㉠). At the changed time, (㉡)? Please let us know by Friday whether you will attend.”

Decide what each blank needs

㉠: the changed meeting schedule. The previous sentence explains why the original time no longer works. After 그래서 (“so”), a change of schedule gives a natural continuation.

For this exercise, let us choose 2 p.m. on Sunday as the new time.

㉡: a question about whether the reader can attend. The following sentence asks for a reply about attendance. Asking whether the person can attend the new time fits that request.

One possible completion

Insert the answers into the passage:

그래서 일요일 오후 2시에 모이려고 합니다.
변경된 시간에 참석하실 수 있습니까?
참석 여부를 금요일까지 알려 주십시오.

The text now announces the new time, asks whether the reader can attend, and gives a deadline for replying.

Sunday at 2 p.m. is a time chosen for this exercise, not a date that can be uniquely deduced from the passage. In an actual question, follow any dates, times, or other conditions supplied in the text.

Why would a different answer feel wrong?

Suppose you put this in ㉡:

참석해 주셔서 감사합니다

This means “Thank you for attending.” Inserting it would produce “변경된 시간에 참석해 주셔서 감사합니다?” It thanks the reader for attending instead of asking whether they can attend—and it does not fit the question mark already supplied.

Both answers contain 참석 (“attendance”), but they do different jobs: asking about availability and expressing thanks. Sharing a word with the passage is not enough.

Question 52 practice: connect the logic between sentences

The following passage is also an original practice exercise.

일회용 컵은 한 번 사용한 뒤 버리는 경우가 많다.
반면 개인 컵은 씻어서 여러 번 사용할 수 있다.
따라서 개인 컵을 사용하면 ( ㉠ ).
그러나 개인 컵이 있어도 집에 두고 나오면 밖에서 사용하기 어렵다.
그러므로 외출하기 전에 ( ㉡ ).

Meaning: Disposable cups are often thrown away after one use. In contrast, a reusable cup can be washed and used many times. “Therefore, if you use a reusable cup, (㉠). However, even if you own one, it is difficult to use it outside if you leave it at home. So, before going out, (㉡).”

Follow the connecting expressions

반면 (“in contrast”) compares the cups: one is thrown away after use, while the other can be used repeatedly.

따라서 (“therefore”) introduces a consequence of that difference. Think about what can be reduced when a reusable cup replaces a disposable one.

그러나 (“however”) introduces a practical problem: owning a reusable cup does not help outside if you leave it at home. The last blank needs an action that addresses that problem.

One possible completion

Read the completed sentences:

따라서 개인 컵을 사용하면 일회용 컵의 사용을 줄일 수 있다.
그러나 개인 컵이 있어도 집에 두고 나오면 밖에서 사용하기 어렵다.
그러므로 외출하기 전에 개인 컵을 챙겼는지 확인하는 것이 좋다.

The first answer gives a result that follows from the comparison. The second gives an action that addresses the problem in the immediately preceding sentence.

Being related to the topic is not enough

What if you wrote this for ㉡?

환경 문제에 관심을 가지는 것이 좋다

It means “It is a good idea to take an interest in environmental issues.” That relates to the broad topic, but the specific problem just described is leaving the cup at home.

Checking that you have packed the cup connects more directly to that problem. Check the relationship between nearby sentences, not just the overall subject.

Check your answer in this order

1. Did I supply the right kind of message? Check that you have not written thanks where a question is needed, or an unrelated opinion where a result belongs.
2. Does it contradict anything nearby? Check the time, place, person, and whether the sentence is affirmative or negative.
3. Did I repeat words already outside the blank? If 변경된 시간에 (“at the changed time”) is printed before it, you do not need to write those words again.
4. Does the tone fit the passage? Identify whether this is an announcement addressed to someone or an explanatory text. Choose endings to fit the actual context rather than applying one ending to every question.
5. Did I add anything unnecessary? Extra explanation can introduce a condition or meaning that the passage never supplied.

Finally, read the whole passage with your answers inserted. This can reveal repetition or awkward connections that are harder to notice when you read only your own sentences.

Common questions

Start by expressing the context-appropriate meaning accurately. Before forcing in an unfamiliar pattern, check whether the expression you chose fits the situation.

These are practice examples. Matching their wording does not by itself prove an answer is correct, and different wording does not automatically make an answer wrong. Check the conditions, meaning, grammar, and tone together. These examples do not predict a score.

You can use the same habit of finding clues on both sides. Writing adds another task: you have to produce the sentence yourself and check its language, rather than only choose an option.

Continue with TOPIK II reading blanks, the writing question 53 guide, or how to review TOPIK mistakes.