English level guide · CEFR B2
Reading The Metamorphosis as an Upper intermediate (B2) learner
Yes — at B2 (Upper intermediate), The Metamorphosis is a comfortable read you can enjoy at a natural pace, which makes it a good pick for building reading speed and stamina.
Updated June 2026
How The Metamorphosis reads at B2
Because most of the language is already within reach at B2, you can read for the story rather than decoding it — a good way to lock in vocabulary you half-know and pick up reading speed. Watch especially for household and domestic vocabulary (furniture, doors, windows, meals).
At a glance
Key words at B2
Some of the B2-level words The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka introduces. See the full word list →
- abruptly/əˈbrəptli/B2
- quickly and without warning
- accumulate/əˈkjumjəˌleɪt/B2
- get or gather together
- accurately/ˈækjərətli/B2
- with few mistakes
- accusation/ˌækjəˈzeɪʃən/B2
- a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person
- ache/eɪk/B2
- a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
- adjoining/əˈʤɔɪnɪŋ/B2
- lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
- affection/əˈfɛkʃən/B2
- a positive feeling of liking
- afterwards/ˈæftərwərdz/B2
- happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
- agitated/ˈæʤəˌteɪtəd/B2
- try to stir up public opinion
- amazement/əˈmeɪzmənt/B2
- the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
What B2 readers can do
- Read articles and reports on contemporary issues.
- Understand contemporary literary prose.
- Follow most classics, looking up only richer or older vocabulary.