Free English guide · original B1 practice

Inburgering B1 Speaking Practice

Use English to understand the method, then answer every task in Dutch. At B1, your listener should be able to follow your point, reason, example, and conclusion without needing a memorized script.

First confirm which official route applies to you. The Inburgering B1 route and Staatsexamen NT2 Program I both relate to B1 language ability, but they are not automatically the same exam. Check your personal requirements through Inburgeren.nl, your municipality or DUO. If you need Program I, use the current official Staatsexamen NT2 information and official practice environment. The tasks below are original supplementary practice.

A reliable B1 answer structure

  1. Point: answer the question or state what you need.
  2. Reason: explain why with a short, clear connection.
  3. Example: add a real situation, time, place, person, or consequence.
  4. Finish: make a request, compare options, or conclude.

Example: change a work shift

You cannot work on Friday evening. Ask a colleague to exchange shifts and offer a solution.

“Kun jij mijn dienst van vrijdagavond overnemen? Mijn dochter heeft dan een schoolvoorstelling en ik wil daar graag bij zijn. Ik kan jouw dienst op zondagochtend overnemen. Laat je vandaag weten of dat lukt?”

12 original B1 speaking questions

Explain a problem and propose a solution

  1. Your work schedule now conflicts with your Dutch course. Explain the problem and propose two solutions.
  2. The heating in your apartment has failed twice this month. Contact the landlord and request a lasting solution.
  3. Your training course changes an important deadline. Explain the consequence for you and suggest a realistic alternative.
  4. A delivery for your team was sent to the wrong building. Explain what happened and what should happen next.

Give an opinion with a concrete example

  1. Should employees be allowed to study Dutch during working hours? Give reasonable conditions.
  2. Is it better to learn in a small group or independently? Explain your choice and one disadvantage.
  3. Your neighbourhood can fund one new activity. Propose an activity and explain who would benefit.
  4. A colleague says meetings always waste time. Respond and explain when a meeting is useful.

Describe an experience and what you learned

  1. Describe a change at work or school that was difficult at first.
  2. Tell about a time when cooperation led to a good result.
  3. Describe a skill you learned recently and what is still difficult.
  4. Tell about a misunderstanding in Dutch and how you solved it.

Two Dutch sample answers

Question 3 — changed deadline

“De cursus heeft de eindpresentatie een week vervroegd. Dat is lastig voor mij, omdat ik die week drie avonddiensten heb en weinig voorbereidingstijd overhoud. Ik stel voor dat ik de presentatie één dag eerder online inlever en de vragen later beantwoord. Zo kan ik het werk op tijd afronden zonder mijn diensten af te zeggen.”

Question 7 — neighbourhood activity

“Ik stel een wekelijkse taalcaféavond voor in het buurthuis. Nieuwe bewoners kunnen daar Nederlands oefenen en oudere buurtbewoners ontmoeten. Dat helpt niet alleen met de taal, maar ook tegen eenzaamheid. We kunnen beginnen met één avond per week en na drie maanden kijken hoeveel mensen komen.”

B1 self-check after recording

  • Did I make my main point clear in the first two sentences?
  • Did I answer every part of the task?
  • Did I connect my reason and example logically?
  • Did I use a specific detail instead of a vague general statement?
  • Did I finish with a clear request, consequence, comparison, or conclusion?
  • On the second recording, did I improve exactly one weak point?

Frequently asked questions

Is the Inburgering B1 route the same as NT2 Program I?

No. Both can involve B1 Dutch, but the official route and exam you need depend on your situation. Confirm this before preparing for a specific exam.

Should I memorize full answers?

No. Memorize a structure and a small group of connectors such as daarom, bijvoorbeeld, maar, and tot slot. Change the details each time you repeat a task.

Where can I find more practice?

Use the 15-question Dutch B1 library, the free browser speaking trainer, or the separate English NT2 Program I/II guide.

Record a B1 answer and improve one point

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