TOPIK Korean
Korean TOPIK Question Instruction Phrases
Learn the Korean instruction words that appear in TOPIK-style questions, including choose the correct one, choose the incorrect one, blank, order, topic, and content.

1. When to use these TOPIK instruction phrases
Many learners lose points in Korean tests not because the passage is too hard, but because they misread the question instruction. The difference between 맞는 것 and 틀린 것 is small in writing, but huge in the answer you choose.
This lesson focuses on TOPIK-style instruction language. It is not an official TOPIK paper. It teaches the command words that appear in practice questions: read, listen, choose, select the correct one, select the incorrect one, fill the blank, find the order, identify the topic, and understand the content.
The goal is speed and accuracy. Before you read the passage, train your eyes to find the instruction phrase. Once you know what the question asks, you can spend your time on the passage and answer choices instead of guessing the task.
- You practice TOPIK-style reading, listening, or writing questions.
- You often confuse 맞는 것 and 틀린 것.
- You want to read question prompts faster before looking at the passage.
- You need to understand words such as 빈칸, 순서, 내용, 주제, and 알맞은.
- You want a reusable routine for mock tests and app practice.
2. Key vocabulary
munje
question
bogi
answer choices
jeongdap
correct answer
seontaekada
to choose
daeum
following / next
manneun geot
the correct thing
teullin geot
the incorrect thing
deutgi
listening
ilggi
reading
sseugi
writing
binkan
blank
sunseo
order
naeyong
content
juje
main topic
almazeun
appropriate
goreuda
to pick
seolmyeong
explanation
jilmun
question prompt
sigan
time
dasi
again
3. Question instruction pattern

- Find the command verb first
Look for 고르세요, 선택하세요, 쓰세요, or 들으세요. The verb tells you what action the question expects. - Check correct or incorrect
맞는 것 asks for the correct statement. 틀린 것 asks for the incorrect statement. Underline this part mentally before reading the choices. - Identify the target
Words like 주제, 내용, 순서, and 빈칸 tell you what kind of answer you need. Do not treat every reading question the same way. - Read the choices with the instruction in mind
If the instruction asks for the topic, do not choose a small detail. If it asks for content, check the passage facts carefully. - Review errors by instruction type
After a mock test, mark whether the mistake came from vocabulary, passage understanding, or misreading the instruction. This makes review more useful.
4. Example conversation
A 이 문제는 무엇을 고르라는 뜻이에요?
What does this question ask us to choose?
B 다음 글을 읽고 맞는 것을 고르라는 뜻이에요.
It means read the following passage and choose the correct answer.
A 틀린 것을 고르세요는 반대죠?
Choose the incorrect one is the opposite, right?
B 네. 그래서 먼저 맞는 것인지 틀린 것인지 확인해야 해요.
Yes. So first check whether it asks for the correct one or the incorrect one.
A 그다음 보기를 읽고 정답을 선택할게요.
Then I will read the choices and select the answer.

5. Common mistake
Do not start by reading the whole passage before checking the instruction. In timed tests, this wastes energy. First identify whether the question asks for the correct answer, incorrect answer, order, blank, topic, or content.
6. Quick check
In a TOPIK-style question, what does 틀린 것을 고르세요 mean?
- Choose the correct answer.
- Choose the incorrect answer.
- Write the topic.
- Listen again.
Answer: B
7. Practice routine
Practice with a three-step routine: command verb, target word, answer condition. Say them aloud before solving each question.
Make a small list of instruction pairs: 맞는 것 versus 틀린 것, 주제 versus 내용, 빈칸 versus 순서. These pairs prevent careless mistakes.
During review, do not only count wrong answers. Write why each error happened. If the reason was instruction reading, repeat this lesson before the next mock test.
Practice TOPIK instructions in the app
Review instruction words, compare correct and incorrect prompts, and answer short test-style questions in TOPIK Korean practice.
