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What Does an A2, B1 or B2 Text Look Like on Norskprøven?

When you take the written Norskprøven, it is not only important what you write about. The way you express yourself, the vocabulary you use, how you structure your text and how well you explain your opinions also matter. And why it's also crucial for the oral exam. (Yes, i know...No shortcuts, everyone! Sorry <3 )

But what is actually the difference between an A2, B1 and B2 text?

Let’s look at the same question at three different levels:

Bør butikkene være åpne på søndager?

First up we have the A2 level: ( Elementary beginner)

Example of an A2-level text

Bør butikkene være åpne på søndager?

Jeg synes butikkene bør være åpne på søndager.

Mange mennesker jobber fra mandag til fredag, og de har ikke alltid tid til å handle. Derfor er det fint hvis butikkene er åpne på søndag.

Jeg liker også å handle på søndager fordi jeg har mer tid da. Det kan være praktisk for familier og personer som jobber mye.

Men de som jobber i butikk, trenger også fri. Kanskje butikkene kan være åpne noen timer på søndag.

Jeg synes derfor det er bra hvis noen butikker er åpne på søndager.

So, what makes this an A2 level text you wonder?

At A2 level, you should be able to express a simple opinion and give basic reasons for it.

The sentences are usually fairly short, and the vocabulary is common and concrete. You do not need to use difficult words. The most important thing is that the reader can understand what you mean.

Simple linking words such as fordi, men, og and derfor help connect your ideas.

At this level, the text does not need to be very detailed or nuanced. Clear and understandable communication is more important than complexity.

Grammar you should have control of at A2

At A2, you should have reasonable control of basic Norwegian grammar. Small mistakes are normal, but they should not make the text (communication if it is the oral exam) difficult to understand.

You should be comfortable with:

• basic word order in main clauses: Jeg jobber i butikk.

• verb in second position when the sentence starts with something else: På søndager jobber jeg ikke.

• present and past tense of common verbs: jobber / jobbet, er / var

• infinitive with å: Jeg liker å handle.

• basic use of nouns and articles: en butikk – butikken – butikker – butikkene

• adjective agreement in common forms: en stor butikk, et stort kjøpesenter

• personal pronouns: jeg, du, han, hun, vi, de

• possessives: min familie, familien min

• common prepositions: i, på, til, fra, med

• simple subordinate clauses with words such as fordi, hvis and når

• negation with ikke, including basic placement: Jeg jobber ikke på søndager.

• simple linking words such as og, men, fordi, derfor

  
  

You do not need perfect grammar at A2. What matters most is that you can communicate simple ideas clearly. The problems occur when you have lots of mistakes, and the grammar disturbs your communication and makes the listenes confused.

For the B1 level the requirements are a little bit higher. On all levels.

Example of a B1-level text (Intermediate)

Bør butikkene være åpne på søndager?

Jeg mener at butikkene bør få lov til å være åpne på søndager, men det bør være opp til hver enkelt butikk å bestemme om de ønsker å holde åpent.

For mange mennesker er søndagen en av de få dagene de har god tid til å handle. Personer som jobber lange dager i ukedagene, kan for eksempel synes det er vanskelig å rekke butikken før den stenger. Søndagsåpne butikker kan derfor gjøre hverdagen enklere for mange.

På den andre siden må vi også tenke på de ansatte. De trenger fritid og mulighet til å være sammen med familie og venner. Hvis flere butikker skal være åpne på søndager, er det derfor viktig at de ansatte får gode arbeidsvilkår og ikke blir tvunget til å jobbe hver søndag.

Etter min mening kan søndagsåpne butikker være positivt, så lenge både kundene og de ansatte blir tatt hensyn til.

What makes this a B1-level text?

At B1 level, you should be able to explain your opinions more clearly and support them with relevant arguments.

The text should have a clear structure and logical flow. You should also be able to develop your ideas instead of simply stating an opinion.

A B1 writer can usually look at more than one side of an issue. In this example, the writer discusses both the advantages for customers and the possible disadvantages for employees.

You will also see a wider range of linking expressions, such as:

• for eksempel

• derfor

• på den andre siden

• etter min mening

• så lenge

  
  

At B1 level, you should be able to write connected text about familiar topics and explain why you think something.

Grammar you should have control of at B1

At B1, your grammar should be more consistent. You can still make mistakes, but you should show that you can use several sentence structures and grammatical forms.

You should have control of most A2 grammar, as well as:

• correct word order after different sentence openings: På søndager mener jeg at butikkene bør være åpne.

• word order in subordinate clauses: Jeg mener at butikkene ikke bør være åpne hele dagen.

• more confident use of fordi, hvis, når, selv om, mens, at

• present perfect: Arbeidslivet har forandret seg.

• modal verbs: kan, bør, må, skal, vil

• comparison of adjectives: lettere, bedre, viktigere

• definite and indefinite forms of nouns with greater accuracy

• adjective agreement in a wider range of sentences

• possessive constructions: de ansattes fritid, arbeidstakernes rettigheter

• reflexive pronouns and verbs: bestemme seg, føle seg

• basic passive constructions: Butikkene kan åpnes på søndager.

• relative clauses with som: Personer som jobber lange dager...

• more varied sentence structures instead of starting every sentence with jeg

• correct placement of adverbs such as ikke, også, ofte, kanskje

At B1, it is important to show that you can connect sentences and control word order even when the sentences become longer. The real flex is the variation of sentences you create. That takes skill and knowledge. Again, there are no short cuts to that.

Finally, we have the elusive B2 level. Many students struggle to achieve B2 even after years of study. There are some really important things to say about the B2 level. Please read carefully and take notes.

Example of a B2-level text ( Upper intermediate)

Bør butikkene være åpne på søndager?

Spørsmålet om søndagsåpne butikker handler ikke bare om hvor praktisk det er å kunne handle når man ønsker. Det handler også om arbeidsvilkår, familieliv og hvilken rolle søndagen skal ha i samfunnet.

Et argument for søndagsåpne butikker er at dagens arbeidsliv har forandret seg. Ikke alle arbeider fra åtte til fire fra mandag til fredag, og mange har en travel hverdag. For disse kan det være en stor fordel å kunne handle på søndager. I tillegg kan lengre åpningstider gi kundene større frihet til å organisere hverdagen slik det passer dem.

Samtidig kan økt søndagshandel få negative konsekvenser for dem som jobber i butikk. Dersom søndagsarbeid blir mer vanlig, kan det bli vanskeligere for ansatte å ha fri samtidig som familie og venner. Noen mener også at samfunnet har godt av å ha én dag i uken med mindre kommersiell aktivitet.

Et mulig kompromiss kan være å tillate søndagsåpent, men samtidig stille tydelige krav til arbeidstakernes rettigheter. Det bør for eksempel være frivillig å arbeide på søndager, og ansatte bør få ekstra betaling eller fri på andre dager.

Alt i alt mener jeg at butikker kan få mulighet til å holde åpent på søndager, men bare dersom dette organiseres på en måte som også ivaretar de ansatte. Kundenes behov for fleksibilitet bør ikke automatisk veie tyngre enn arbeidstakernes behov for fritid.

What makes this a B2-level text?

At B2 level, you should be able to discuss a topic in a more developed and nuanced way.

You should be able to:

• present different sides of an issue

• develop and support your arguments

• discuss causes and consequences

• use a wider and more precise vocabulary

• structure the text clearly

• connect ideas naturally

• reach a reasoned conclusion

  
  

Notice expressions such as samtidig, i tillegg, dersom, et mulig kompromiss, alt i alt and ivareta.

However, using advanced words does not automatically make a text B2. What matters is whether you can use the language naturally and accurately to develop your ideas.

A strong B2 text usually shows more reflection. Instead of only saying what is good or bad, the writer considers different perspectives, weighs them against each other and explains their conclusion. A B2 text should also have a good structure.

Grammar you should have control of at B2

At B2, you are expected to use grammar with greater flexibility and accuracy. Mistakes can still occur, but they should normally be minor and should not interfere with communication.

You should have good control of A2 and B1 grammar, as well as:

• varied and accurate word order in both main and subordinate clauses

• longer sentences with several clauses

• subordinate clauses introduced by words such as dersom, selv om, ettersom, mens, slik at

• correct placement of ikke and other adverbs in more complex sentences

• a wider range of verb tenses and forms

• passive constructions: Det bør stilles tydelige krav til arbeidsgiverne.

• more advanced modal constructions: Det burde kunne være mulig å...

• relative clauses used naturally and accurately

• complex noun phrases: arbeidstakernes behov for forutsigbare arbeidstider

• adjective and noun agreement with relatively few errors

• correct use of definite and indefinite forms in complex phrases

• more precise use of prepositions

• impersonal constructions: Det kan argumenteres for at...

• constructions such as jo ... desto ..., både ... og, verken ... eller, ikke bare ... men også

• the ability to vary sentence structure to create a natural and fluent text

At B2, grammar is not about showing how many complicated structures you know. It is about being able to choose and use different structures naturally when they help you express a more precise or nuanced idea. The B2 level clearly indicates a vocabulary count of 4000-6000 words. To be honest, that requires alot of work. Listening to podcasts, reading newspapers, books. Taking part of conversations. Just immerse yourself fully in the Norwegian language.

The Difference in Simple Terms

A2: “This is what I think, and here is a simple reason why.”

Grammar focus: basic sentence structure, common verb forms and simple linking words.

B1: “This is what I think. Here are several reasons, and I can also consider another side of the issue.”

Grammar focus: reliable word order, subordinate clauses, different tenses and more varied sentence structures.

B2: “This is a more complex issue. I can discuss different perspectives, explain possible consequences and reach a well-supported conclusion.”

Grammar focus: flexible sentence structure, accurate subordinate clauses, complex phrases and a wider range of grammatical constructions.

One important thing to remember is that you should not try to make your writing artificially difficult just to reach a higher level.

A clear and correct sentence is much better than a complicated sentence filled with advanced words or grammar that you cannot control.

On the Norskprøven, the goal is to show what you can actually do with Norwegian.

We have Norskprøven preparation courses coming up soon. https://www.lenoo.no/norskprovenlenoo Join our courses, and get the best possible help when you are preparing for the test. Previous exam questions, listening, reading, writing, speaking. A highly trained and skilled teacher ready to help you all the way. See you in class. And if not, best of luck on the test guys <3