Free Practice Questions for TEG Irish B2 (Meanleibheal 2)

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Key Facts: TEG Irish B2 (Meanleibheal 2) Exam

The TEG Meanleibheal 2 (B2) is awarded by Larionad na Gaeilge at Maynooth University (Ollscoil Mha Nuad), the national authority for TEG Irish language certification.

TEG B2 is the CEFR upper-intermediate level (B2) in Irish and is commonly required for Irish-medium teaching posts and Irish-language civil service roles.

The TEG B2 exam assesses four components: leamhthuiscint (reading), cluastuiscint (listening), scriobhneireacht (writing), and labhairt (speaking).

Candidates typically require 300-500 hours of study from a B1 level, or approximately 1,500-2,000 hours total from beginner level, to reach TEG B2.

TEG exams range from A1 (Bonnleibheal 1) to C1 (Ardleibheal 1), with B2 (Meanleibheal 2) being the fourth of five main levels.

Key grammar tested at B2 includes the conditional mood (modh coinniollach), subjunctive (modh foshuiteach), autonomous/passive forms (saorbhriathar), and complex genitive constructions.

The TEG B2 exam is offered approximately once to twice per year at Maynooth University and designated centres in Ireland and abroad.

Official TEG B2 sample papers, syllabi, and examiner reports are freely available at teg.ie, providing the authoritative guide to exam content and standard.

The TEG framework is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and is recognised by Irish educational and public sector employers.

Approximately 1.8 million people worldwide are estimated to have some ability in Irish, with TEG B2 representing a significant proficiency milestone for adult learners.

The TEG B2 certifies upper-intermediate Irish language proficiency required for Irish-medium teaching and civil service posts, testing all four skills at CEFR B2 level through Maynooth University.

Sample TEG Irish B2 (Meanleibheal 2) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the TEG Irish B2 (Meanleibheal 2) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Léigh an sliocht seo agus freagair: 'Tá an aeráid ag athrú go tapa agus ní mór dúinn gníomhú anois.' Cad é príomhtheachtaireacht an údair? (Read this passage and answer: 'The climate is changing rapidly and we must act now.' What is the author's main message?)

A.Tá an aimsir éiginnte (The weather is uncertain)

B.Caithfimid beart a dhéanamh gan mhoill (We must take action without delay)

C.Níl an t-athrú aeráide fíor (Climate change is not real)

D.Tá neart ama againn fós (We still have plenty of time)

Explanation: The passage explicitly states that we must act now ('ní mór dúinn gníomhú anois'), making urgent action the main message. 'Ní mór dúinn' is a strong impersonal construction meaning 'we must/it is necessary for us to.' Options A, C, and D contradict the text's urgency.

2Roghnaigh an leagan ceart den abairt seo: 'Dá mbeadh níos mó airgid ag an rialtas, _____ siad tuilleadh ospidéal.' (Choose the correct form: 'If the government had more money, _____ they would build more hospitals.')

A.thóg

B.thógfadh

C.tógfaidh

D.tógann

Explanation: This is a Type 2 conditional (modh coinníollach) triggered by 'Dá mbeadh' (if there were). The conditional mood form of 'tóg' (build) is 'thógfadh' — the stem 'tóg' takes the conditional ending '-fadh' and is lenited to give 'thógfadh.' 'Thóg' is past tense, 'tógfaidh' is future, and 'tógann' is present habitual.

3Cad is ciall leis an bhfocal 'sonrach' sa chomhthéacs seo: 'Thug an múinteoir treoir shonrach dá daltaí'? (What does 'sonrach' mean in: 'The teacher gave specific instructions to her students'?)

A.ginearálta (general)

B.déanach (late)

C.ar leith / beacht (specific / precise)

D.simplí (simple)

Explanation: 'Sonrach' means specific, particular, or precise in Irish. The phrase 'treoir shonrach' (specific instruction/guidance) uses the lenited genitive/attributive form. 'Ar leith' and 'beacht' are close synonyms at B2 level. The other options are antonyms or unrelated words.

4Líon an bhearna: 'Deirtear go bhfuil an tír _____ athrú mór eacnamaíoch.' (Fill the gap: 'It is said that the country is _____ great economic change.')

A.ar tí

B.ar son

C.ar fáil

D.ar ceal

Explanation: 'Ar tí' is an Irish prepositional phrase meaning 'about to' or 'on the verge of.' 'Tá an tír ar tí athrú mór eacnamaíoch' = 'The country is about to undergo great economic change.' It signals imminent action and is a key B2 idiom. The other phrases have different meanings.

5Léigh: 'Cé gur éirigh leis sa scrúdú, ní raibh sé sásta lena chuid torthaí.' Cad a thuigtear as seo? (Read: 'Although he passed the exam, he was not satisfied with his results.' What is understood from this?)

A.Theip air sa scrúdú (He failed the exam)

B.D'éirigh leis ach bhí díomá air (He passed but was disappointed)

C.Bhí áthas air faoina chuid torthaí (He was happy about his results)

D.Níor scriobh sé an scrúdú (He did not sit the exam)

Explanation: 'Cé gur éirigh leis' = 'although he succeeded/passed' — the concessive conjunction 'cé gur' (followed by past tense) introduces a contrast. He passed ('d'éirigh leis') but was not satisfied ('ní raibh sé sásta'), implying disappointment (díomá). Options A, C, and D contradict the text.

6Cuir isteach an fhoirm cheart den bhriathar: 'Nuair a _____ (teacht) an samhradh, bíonn níos mó daoine ag obair amuigh faoin spéir.' (Insert the correct verb form: 'When summer _____, more people work outdoors.')

A.thagann

B.tagann

C.thiocfadh

D.tháinig

Explanation: 'Nuair a' (when) followed by a habitual/recurring event requires the present habitual tense. 'Tagann' (3rd person singular present habitual of 'teacht' - to come) is correct. The initial 't' does not lenite after 'nuair a' in the habitual present. 'Thagann' would be a mistaken over-lenition; 'thiocfadh' is conditional; 'tháinig' is past.

7Léigh an sliocht: 'Déantar iarracht sa tír seo caighdeán maireachtála na n-aosach scothaosta a fheabhsú trí chlár tacaíochta nua.' Cad is brí le 'aosach scothaosta'? (Read: 'An effort is made in this country to improve the living standard of elderly people through a new support programme.' What does 'aosach scothaosta' mean?)

A.Daoine óga (Young people)

B.Daoine scothaosta / daoine aosta (Elderly people)

C.Daoine gan post (Unemployed people)

D.Daoine galraithe (Sick people)

Explanation: 'Scothaosta' (also 'aosta') means elderly or aged in Irish. 'Aosach scothaosta' = elderly person/adult. The root 'aosta' comes from 'aois' (age) + the suffix '-ta'. The passage discusses a support programme to improve living standards for this group, which confirms the meaning.

8Aimsigh an leagan ceart den chopail: '_____ maith an múinteoir é mar bíonn foighne mhór aige lena chuid daltaí.' (Find the correct copula form: '_____ a good teacher he is because he has great patience with his students.')

A.Tá

B.Is

C.Bíonn

D.Bhí

Explanation: The copula 'Is' is required here for classification/identification: 'Is maith an múinteoir é' = 'He is a good teacher.' The copula 'is' (not 'tá') is used to classify a person by role or quality. 'Tá' is the substantive verb used for states and locations but not for identification with a noun phrase.

9Cluastuiscint: Cloiseann tú an méid seo: 'Tá ceist na tithíochta ar bharr an chlár oibre ag an rialtas i láthair na huaire.' Cad atá ar siúl ag an rialtas? (Listening: You hear: 'The housing question is at the top of the government's agenda at present.' What is the government focusing on?)

A.Cúrsaí oideachais (Education matters)

B.An ghéarchéim tithíochta (The housing crisis)

C.Cúrsaí sláinte (Health matters)

D.Cúrsaí iompair (Transport matters)

Explanation: 'Ceist na tithíochta' = 'the housing question/issue' (genitive of 'tithíocht' - housing). 'Ar bharr an chlár oibre' = 'at the top of the agenda' (a key B2 phrase). The government's focus is therefore on housing. The other options (education, health, transport) are not mentioned.

10Léigh: 'I ndiaidh na timpiste, cuireadh cosc ar ghluaisteáin ar an mbóthar sin ar feadh seachtaine.' Cad a tharla tar éis na timpiste? (Read: 'After the accident, cars were banned from that road for a week.' What happened after the accident?)

A.Osclaíodh bóthar nua (A new road was opened)

B.Cuireadh cosc ar ghluaisteáin ar an mbóthar (Cars were banned from the road)

C.Díoladh gluaisteáin nua (New cars were sold)

D.Rinneadh deisiú ar an mbóthar láithreach (The road was repaired immediately)

Explanation: 'Cuireadh cosc ar ghluaisteáin' is the autonomous (saorbhriathar) past tense of 'cuir cosc ar' (to ban/put a ban on). 'Cuireadh' = 'was put / there was put' (passive autonomous). The text directly states cars were banned; the other options are not mentioned.

About the TEG Irish B2 (Meanleibheal 2) Exam

The Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Meanleibheal 2 (B2) is the upper-intermediate level certificate in the Irish language proficiency framework developed by Maynooth University. It is the TEG level most commonly required for Irish-medium teaching positions (Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht schools), Irish-language civil service posts, and entry to Irish-language postgraduate programmes. The B2 exam assesses all four skills: reading (leamhthuiscint), listening (cluastuiscint), writing (scriobhneireacht), and speaking (labhairt). Grammar at B2 includes the full conditional (modh coinniollach), subjunctive (modh foshuiteach), autonomous/passive forms (saorbhriathar), complex genitive constructions, verbal nouns, copula (is) versus substantive verb (ta), and complex prepositional phrases. The exam is set in Standard Irish (Caighdean Oifigiuil) and questions cover contemporary social, cultural, environmental, and professional topics.

Exam sponsor: Larionad na Gaeilge, Maynooth University (Ollscoil Mha Nuad).. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

50 questions

Time Limit

Leamhthuiscint: 60 min; Cluastuiscint: 35-40 min; Scriobhneireacht: 60 min; Labhairt: 15-20 min.

Passing Score

55% minimum overall; components assessed independently.

Exam / Certification Fees

Approximately EUR 100-130 per sitting (2026); check teg.ie for current fees.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Larionad na Gaeilge, Maynooth University (Ollscoil Mha Nuad).: official exam information

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Leamhthuiscint (Reading)

B2-level Irish texts on current affairs, environment, and culture — MCQ testing comprehension, inference, and vocabulary.

25%

Cluastuiscint (Listening)

B2 audio passages (news, interviews, discussions) — MCQ testing main message and specific detail.

25%

Scriobhneireacht (Writing)

Formal letters, essays, and reports at B2 production level.

25%

Labhairt (Speaking)

Extended oral discussion and presentation on B2 topics assessed by an examiner.

Preparing for the TEG Irish B2 (Meanleibheal 2) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 55% minimum overall; components assessed independently.
Exam length: 50 questions
Time limit: Leamhthuiscint: 60 min; Cluastuiscint: 35-40 min; Scriobhneireacht: 60 min; Labhairt: 15-20 min.
Exam / certification fees: Approximately EUR 100-130 per sitting (2026); check teg.ie for current fees. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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TEG Irish B2 (Meanleibheal 2): Suggested Study Strategy

1Download the official TEG B2 sample papers from teg.ie — they are the single best resource for understanding the exact text complexity, question types, and register required. Practise both sample papers under timed conditions before your exam.

2Master the modh coinniollach (conditional mood): 'Da mbeadh X ann, dheanfadh Y' patterns appear throughout B2 reading texts and are tested directly in grammar sections. Drill the conditional forms of irregular verbs (tabhair→thabharfadh, tar→thiocfadh, faigh→gheofadh).

3Listen to RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta news bulletins daily — the vocabulary, sentence structures, and topics directly mirror TEG B2 cluastuiscint passages on current affairs, environment, housing, and education.

4Learn the key genitive constructions: Idir 'an muinteoir' (nominative) and 'leabhar an mhuinteora' (genitive) — masculine nouns slenderise (muinteoir → mhuinteora), feminine nouns take 'na' with lenition. Practice with the 100 most common nouns.

5Study the saorbhriathar (autonomous form) at all tenses — 'rinneadh, deantaor, deantear, deantai, deantai (past perfect)' — passive constructions appear in nearly every formal text and public notice at B2.

6Expand your abstract and formal vocabulary: key B2 words include inbhuanaitheacht (sustainability), tionchar (influence), forbairt (development), easpa (lack/shortage), bonneagar (infrastructure), trédhearcach (transparent), dluthphairtíocht (solidarity). Encountering these in context in news articles cements them far better than rote learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TEG B2 (Meanleibheal 2) exam?

The TEG Meanleibheal 2 (B2) is the upper-intermediate level Irish language certificate awarded by Larionad na Gaeilge at Maynooth University. It follows the CEFR B2 standard and assesses all four language skills: reading (leamhthuiscint), listening (cluastuiscint), writing (scriobhneireacht), and speaking (labhairt). It is the level most frequently required for Irish-medium primary and secondary teaching and for Irish-language civil service roles.

Do I need TEG B2 to teach through Irish?

Yes — TEG Meanleibheal 2 (B2) or equivalent is commonly required for appointment to Irish-medium schools (Gaelscoileanna) and Gaeltacht schools in Ireland. It is also stipulated for certain Irish-language positions in government departments and state agencies. Individual employers and the Teaching Council of Ireland may specify minimum TEG or equivalent levels.

What grammar does the TEG B2 exam test?

TEG B2 tests: the full conditional mood (modh coinniollach: da mbeadh, thogfadh), the subjunctive (modh foshuiteach: go mbi), autonomous/passive forms (saorbhriathar: rinneadh, moltar, cuirfear), genitive case constructions (cailin an mhuinteora), verbal nouns as infinitives (ag iarraidh a dheanamh), the copula (is vs. ta), complex prepositional phrases (ar ti, faoi lanse ol, in ainneoin), and indirect speech backshift.

How often is the TEG B2 exam offered?

The TEG B2 exam is typically offered once or twice per year, most commonly in spring (April-May) and autumn (November). Exact dates are published on the official TEG website at teg.ie. Registration deadlines apply; candidates are advised to register several weeks in advance.

How long does it take to prepare for TEG B2?

Candidates coming from a B1 level typically need 300-500 additional hours of study to reach B2. From a beginner level, the total investment is approximately 1,500-2,000 hours. TEG recommends working through official sample papers (available on teg.ie), practising authentic Irish media (RTE Gaeilge, Raidio na Gaeltachta), and engaging in regular conversation with native or proficient speakers.

Where can I take the TEG B2 exam?

The TEG B2 exam is held at Maynooth University (Ollscoil Mha Nuad) and at designated examination centres throughout Ireland and in some locations abroad. The current list of examination centres and registration details are available at teg.ie or by contacting the office at teg@mu.ie.