Advanced TOPIK II Grammar (Levels 5–6)
This guide covers the grammar patterns that appear in TOPIK II reading questions 35–50 and writing tasks 53–54. These are the patterns that separate Level 5–6 performance from Level 3–4. If you are still building your foundation, start with the Level 3–4 grammar guide first.
Advanced Connectors
These connectors appear in complex reading passages and are tested in fill-in-the-blank questions (28–31) and main idea questions (35–38). They signal subtler logical relationships than the basic connectors.
| Pattern | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| -거니와 | Not only... but also (acknowledging + adding) | 이 식당은 깨끗하거니와 음식도 좋다 |
| -ㄹ뿐더러 | Not only X but also Y | 집도 없을뿐더러 돈도 없다 |
| -(으)ㄴ/는 이상 | As long as, given that | 약속한 이상 지켜야 한다 |
| -는 바람에 | Because of (unintended result) | 급하게 가는 바람에 두고 왔다 |
| -기로서니 | Even though, despite (emphatic) | 아무리 바쁘기로서니 연락은 해야지 |
| -ㄹ 망정 | Even if (extreme concession) | 몸은 떠날망정 마음은 남는다 |
Academic and Formal Expressions
These patterns appear in the academic, editorial, and research-style passages used in questions 35–50. They are also expected in Task 54 essays.
| Pattern | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| -는 것으로 보아 | Judging by, it appears that | Drawing conclusions from evidence |
| -다고 할 수 있다 | It can be said that | Cautious academic assertion |
| -다시피 | As (everyone knows/saw) | Referencing shared knowledge: 모두가 알다시피 |
| -기에 | Because (formal reason) | Formal cause: 날씨가 좋기에 산책했다 |
| -는 바 | That which, what (formal nominalization) | Citing: 조사한 바에 따르면 |
| -에 불과하다 | Is merely, is nothing more than | Minimizing: 이론에 불과하다 |
Speculation and Regret
Upper-level listening and reading passages test whether you can distinguish between certainty, speculation, and regret. These endings carry specific shades of meaning that direct comprehension questions target.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ㄹ걸 | Should have (regret) | 밥을 먹고 올걸 (Should have eaten first) |
| -ㄹ까 싶다 | I wonder if, I suspect | 그 사람이 올까 싶다 (I wonder if they will come) |
| -나 싶다 | I think maybe, mild suspicion | 끝났나 싶다 (I think it might be over) |
| -ㄹ세라 | Fearing that (preventive action) | 들을세라 목소리를 낮췄다 (Lowered voice fearing others would hear) |
Nominalization in Academic Writing
Advanced reading passages use formal nominalization patterns to create dense, abstract sentences. Recognizing these structures is essential for comprehending the long passages in questions 42–50.
| Pattern | Function | Context |
|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㅁ | Formal nominalization | Written/academic Korean: 발전함에 따라 (as it develops) |
| -는 바 | Formal "what/that which" | Citing: 연구한 바에 의하면 (according to research) |
| -는 데(에) | For the purpose of | 문제를 해결하는 데 도움이 된다 (helps in solving the problem) |
The difference between -기, -(으)ㅁ, and -는 것 is register. -기 is neutral. -(으)ㅁ is formal and literary. -는 것 emphasizes the process. In TOPIK II reading passages, -(으)ㅁ signals academic text. Recognizing this helps you anticipate the passage's tone and argument structure.
What Separates Level 5 from Level 6
Level 5 requires 190 points. Level 6 requires 230. The difference is not knowing more patterns but using them with precision:
- Level 5: Correctly recognizes and uses the advanced patterns above. Handles unfamiliar topics in politics, economics, and specialized fields. Can write structured argumentative essays.
- Level 6: Combines multiple patterns naturally in complex sentences. Distinguishes subtle meaning differences (e.g., -ㄹ걸 as regret vs. supposition). Reads literary and highly abstract texts fluently. Near-native written expression.
How to Study Advanced Grammar
- Read real passages, not grammar lists. Advanced patterns make sense in context. Practice with TOPIK II reading questions 35–50, where these patterns appear naturally.
- Focus on nuance, not just meaning. At this level, knowing the translation is not enough. Understand when a pattern implies regret, inevitability, or concession. This is what the test actually asks.
- Write with these patterns. Use advanced connectors and formal expressions in practice essays. If you only recognize them passively, your writing score will lag behind your reading score.
Practice Advanced Questions
Solvi provides free TOPIK II practice for listening and reading with 1,000+ questions from 11 official past exams. Start practicing.
Related: Essential Grammar (Levels 3–4) · Reading Guide · Writing Guide · Scoring & Levels
Last updated: March 23, 2026