✍️ TOPIK Writing Q51: Mastering the Basic Sentence Fill-in for Beginner Success

You’ve conquered the 500 essential TOPIK vocabulary words. Congratulations! But words alone don’t make a sentence. Grammar is the glue that allows you to express thoughts, ask questions, and handle daily situations in Korea. Without it, you’re just reading a dictionary.

This guide breaks down the 10 most crucial Korean grammar points required for the TOPIK I (Level 1 and Level 2) examination. These are the foundations of almost every Korean sentence you will encounter or need to create. Mastering these points is the fastest way to feel confident about your speaking and writing skills.

A hand writing a Korean sentence on a TOPIK Question 51

1. Understanding the TOPIK Q51 Format and Scoring 📝

Question 51 presents a short, practical text—usually a public notice, a short email, or a dialogue bubble—with two blanks (ㄱ) and (ㄴ). Your goal is to fill each blank with a grammatically correct sentence or phrase that naturally completes the context.

1.1. The Scoring Focus (What the Grader Looks For)

Cohesion (3 points): Does your answer logically fit the flow of the text?
Grammar and Ending (5 points): Is the grammar correct, and is the sentence ending (informal polite, formal polite, or imperative) appropriate for the situation?

The total score is 8 points for each blank. A perfect answer involves using the correct verb or adjective base, conjugating it correctly, and applying the contextually appropriate polite ending.

💡 Teacher’s Tip: Tone is Key

The most common mistake is using the wrong level of politeness. If the text uses -ㅂ니다/-습니다 (Formal), your answer must also use -ㅂ니다/-습니다. If the text uses -아/어요 (Informal Polite), you must use -아/어요.

2. The 3 Essential Endings for Question 51 🛑

Almost all correct answers for Question 51 fall into one of three common polite sentence endings:

2.1. The Declarative (Statement): -습니다 / -ㅂ니다

Used for formal, polite statements found in announcements, formal emails, or reports (e.g., The museum is closed today).

Example: 오늘 박물관은 문을 닫습니다. (The museum closes today.)

2.2. The Propositive (Suggestion): -(으)ㅂ시다

Used when proposing an action to be done together, often found in friendly but polite notices (e.g., Let's eat lunch together).

Example: 점심을 같이 먹읍시다. (Let's eat lunch together.)

2.3. The Imperative (Command/Request): -(으)십시오

Used to politely request or command an action, most commonly found in public signage or instructions (e.g., Please sit down).

Example: 의자에 앉으십시오. (Please sit down.)

practice paper, demonstrating sentence completion for beginners

3. Step-by-Step Strategy: Answering a Q51 Sample 🎯

Follow these four steps to guarantee a correct answer:

Identify the Text Type and Tone: Is it an announcement (Formal) or a friendly message (Informal Polite)? This determines the ending.
Find the Missing Noun/Verb Base: What action or state is needed? (e.g., If the text is about a problem, the missing word is often "solve" or "contact").
Check the Grammar Rule: Does the verb need to be past tense, future tense, or descriptive? (e.g., If the blank is about a solution, it might use '-(으)ㄹ 수 있다' - can be done).
Apply the Correct Ending: Conjugate the verb/grammar rule with the tone-appropriate ending (-ㅂ니다, -으십시오, etc.).

3.1. Sample Problem and Solution

[Sample Text]

도서관 이용 안내

내일부터 도서관 이용 시간을 바꿉니다. 이용에 착오 없으시기를 바랍니다. 새로운 이용 시간은 아래와 (ㄱ). 궁금한 점이 있으면, 전화로 (ㄴ).

(Library Use Notice. The operating hours will change starting tomorrow. Please avoid any errors in use. The new hours are [BLANK 1]. If you have any questions, [BLANK 2] by phone.)

✅ Answers and Rationale

Show Answers

(ㄱ) 있습니다 or 같습니다
(Rationale: The preceding sentence uses -ㅂ니다, so we need a formal statement about the location/state. The hours 'exist' below, or 'are the same as' below.)

(ㄴ) 문의하십시오 or 연락하십시오
(Rationale: The context demands a polite request/command to the reader. Use the Imperative ending -(으)십시오.)

📚 Internal Link: Grammar Review

If you struggled with the sentence endings used in the Q51 examples, you must review the core conjugations. The writing section tests your foundational grammar knowledge.

[PREVIOUS POST] Essential Grammar Review: Expressing Necessity in Korean with -아야/어야 하다.

4. Practice the 5 Most Common Q51 Structures 🔑

Question 51 often relies on a limited set of functional grammar structures. Focus on mastering these:

The Reason/Result Structure: Using -아/어서 (because) to connect a cause and effect.
The Contact/Inquiry Structure: Using verbs like 문의하다 (to inquire) or 연락하다 (to contact) with the Imperative ending.
The 'Cannot Do' Structure: Using -(으)ㄹ 수 없다 to explain an inability (e.g., I cannot attend because...).
The Location/Existence Structure: Using 있다/없다 (to be/not to be) with the appropriate polite ending.
The Permission/Suggestion Structure: Using -아/어도 되다 (Is it okay to...).