German Exam Preparation - B1 Telc, Goethe, ÖSD

Global reading comprehension:

Think about what it's all about. The texts are above level B1. You don't have to understand every word to solve the problem correctly.

Use the scan technique:

• You can save a lot of time by first going through the text/keywords and then searching for the possible headline.
  There are 10 headings and only 5 texts!

• Concentrate on the keywords and what you understand. Apply the scan strategy. Keywords are mostly nouns, verbs, and adjectives that appear repeatedly or belong to a specific category. Mark them and compare them with the headings.

• Also, look for synonyms or similar expressions in the texts and headings.

• Do not rush to a solution based on the same terms in the texts and headings. Make sure you don't just associate keywords because some texts only match a heading at first glance. This does not mean, however, that the same term in the task as in the reading text is a clear indication that this is not the right solution.

• If there are several headings with the same topic and keyword, search for another keyword in the task.

• If two titles are similar, most likely only one of them will be used in the task.

• Cross out the answers you have already found. So you won't waste time looking at them again.

Answer key: 1-I, 2-C, 3-J, 4-F, 5-A

UNDERSTAND DETAILS:

This part is about finding specific information in a longer text and selecting from three statements the one that corresponds to the text. There is always only one correct statement!

• Read the title first to find out what the subject of the text is. In the title you will usually find valuable hints, even if you don't understand all the words.

• Read the tasks 6-10 immediately afterwards.

• earch the text for keywords and don't try to understand the whole text. You will certainly not understand everything (above B1 level), but you will understand many things from the context. Work with it and ignore what doesn't make sense for you.
  

In short: read the tasks -> scan the text for keywords -> solve the tasks

Strategies - If you don't know the answers and the scan strategy doesn't lead to success:

• Before you rush to guess the right answer, read the question carefully and try to understand it. This may give you clues and may already exclude some answers.

• One answer is usually quite unrealistic. Choose one of the other two. This will increase your chances of choosing the right answer.

• Pay attention to the words "never", "not", "always", "all" or "none". They change the meaning of the sentence.

• Answers that are extremely different from the other answers are usually wrong. This conclusion is usually based on common sense.

• Another indication of the correct answer is sometimes given by the length: the longest answer is often the correct answer.
  The probability that this tip will lead to success increases with the complexity of the question asked. This is simply due to the fact that the exam creators must ensure that the correct answers are undeniably correct. In the case of incorrect answers, there is usually no great difficulty in formulating them.

Important: Always (!) choose an answer. Even if you don't know it.

Answer key: 6-b, 7-b, 8-a, 9-c, 10-b

SELECTIVE READING COMPREHENSION:

In this part, you should find the right advertisement for a certain situation.

• Search and highlight the keywords in the situation. Apply the scan strategy here as well.

• Quickly skim all ads.

• Cross out the ads you have already found. So you won't waste time looking at them again.

• Pay attention to words like buy - sell. Ask yourself the question: Is the person looking for something or is he offering something?

• Keep in mind there is no ad for a situation!

• If you can't solve a task, take on the other tasks first, otherwise, you'll lose time unnecessarily.

Answer key: 11-g, 12-l, 13-a, 14-b, 15-f, 16-e , 17-x , 18-h, 19-j , 20-d

Language Elements Part 1:

This part of the exam focuses on grammar.

• It is a multiple-choice task, so always choose an answer and don't give away any points!

• Mark the sentence you are currently working on. This will help you to focus.

• Pay attention to the verbs (the verb is the boss in the sentence!).

• Pay attention to the prepositions and the case they need.
  

Things that trigger a subordinate clause:

Words that trigger a subordinate clause: weil, obwohl, dass, ob, als, wenn, während, damit —> Verb am Ende!
More: https://en.easy-deutsch.de/sentence-structure/subordinate-clauses/

Question words: wer, was, wann, wo, wohin, woher, warum,… (indirect questions)
More: https://en.easy-deutsch.de/sentence-structure/asking-questions/indirect-questions/

Relative pronouns: der, die, das, dem, den,…
More about relative pronoens: https://en.easy-deutsch.de/pronouns/relative-pronouns/
More about relative clauses: https://en.easy-deutsch.de/sentence-structure/subordinate-clauses/relative-clauses/


ATTENTION: The subordinate clause can also stand in front.


If you don't know the answer:

• Read the sentence several times with all possible answers.

• If two out of three answer suggestions are very similar, it is very likely that one of them is the correct answer! Choose one of those two. This will increase your chances of choosing the right answer.

  
  

Anser key: 21-b, 22-c, 23-a, 24-b, 25-a, 26-c , 27-b , 28-a, 29-b , 30-a

Language Elements Part 2:

This part of the exam also focuses on grammar.

Here you have 15 possible answers for each gap and you cannot guess.

• Try to quickly find out the topic of the text.

• Make sure your answers are formal or informal.

• formal: (you, your, you)

• informal: (you, yourself, yourself)
  

Then use three different colors to mark the verbs, prepositions, and conjunctions.

You won't lose any time. On the contrary: You arrange the answer possibilities in this way and can then find the right word much faster when solving the problem.

Mark the sentence you are currently working on. This will help you focus.

Pay attention to the verbs (the verb is the boss in the sentence!).

Pay attention to the prepositions and the case they need.

Answer key: 31-g, 32-a, 33-d, 34-m, 35-l, 36-i, 37-f, 38-k, 39-o, 40-c

This is what the examiners pay attention to:

Have all points been covered?
(max. number of points: 5)

How is the communicative design (arrangement of points, linking of sentences, date, salutation, greeting formula...)?
(max. number of points: 5)

What is the syntax and spelling like?
(max. number of points: 5)

Download sample test from video:
The first page of the file does not exist in normal checks. I've added it to you for an easier overview!
Of course you should not interrupt the text with the questions. This is only meant to help you!

With these methods, you train your ears for the hearing exam.

1. passive listening:

• Surround yourself with German all the time. When you are tired, cleaning, playing with your kids etc. With time you will get used to the sound of the language and pronunciation and will understand more and more.

• Use every opportunity - listen to a lot of radio / television / audiobooks / podcasts / interviews / news.

• Even if you don't understand everything, try to find out the topic.

• The more you listen, the more you will understand.

• Practice without headphones like in a test to get used to the sound quality.

2. active listening

• Pay attention to the announcements when shopping or at the train station and try to understand as much as possible.

• Watch videos and concentrate on something specific in the dialogues. Paying attention to everything at the same time is often overwhelming and therefore demotivating.

• Watch German films with German subtitles. So you hear and read the same language at the same time.

Facts:

• The listening part of the exam lasts 30 minutes and has 3 parts.

• You hear announcements and conversations and there is only one right solution for each task.

• They are right-wrong tasks.

• Dictionaries etc. are not allowed.

• For each correct answer, you get one point, a maximum of 20 points.

Try sitting in the exam room in front. In the first row you hear the listening texts better than in the last.

In the first part, you will hear five short opinions and decide whether the information given is correct or incorrect. You only hear every opinion only once.

Exam hacks:

• Quickly read the five statements and highlight the keywords. This will help you keep the focus while listening.

• You don't have to understand every word to solve the problem correctly.

• When listening, concentrate on the answer to your task and on what you understand.

When listening pay attention:

• to the verbs

• to the words "never", "not", "always", "all" or "none". They change the meaning of the sentence.

Download the audio file. the sample test from video and the transcription:

In the second part of the test, you will hear an interview/conversation and decide whether the information you have provided is correct or incorrect. You hear the interview twice.

Exam hacks:

• Quickly read the five statements and highlight the keywords. This will help you keep the focus while listening.

• You don't have to understand every word to solve the problem correctly.

• When listening, concentrate on the answer to your task and on what you understand.

When listening pay attention:

• to the verbs

• to the words "never", "not", "always", "all" or "none". They change the meaning of the sentence.

Answer key: 46- r, 47-f, 48-r, 49-f, 50-r, 51-f, 52-f, 53-r, 54-r, 55-r

Download audio file, the sample test from video and the transcription:

Exam hacks:

• Quickly read the five statements and highlight the keywords. This will help you keep the focus while listening.

• You don't have to understand every word to solve the problem correctly.

• When listening, concentrate on the answer to your task and on what you understand.

When listening pay attention:

• to the verbs

• to the words "never", "not", "always", "all" or "none". They change the meaning of the sentence.

Answer key: 56-f, 57-f, 58-f, 59-r, 60-r

Download the audio file, the sample test from video and the transcription:

How do I prepare? (If I have a lot of time until the exam!)

• Search the contact to German/Austrians/Swiss, ...

• The more often you speak German, the easier it will be for you.

• For example, you can register for a club, depending on your hobbies. In Germany, there are clubs for every hobby. What are your interests?

  
  

What to do in case of examination anxiety?

• Prepare yourself well, that gives security.

• Practice your oral exam well in front of the mirror - you can prepare the first part well.

• Surround yourself with relaxed and optimistic people - that calms you down.

• Be aware that it is only a test that thousands have passed before you.

• Avoid stress before your exam. Be there 30 minutes before and prepare yourself relaxed.

Remember: The examiners are also interested in you passing the exam. Nobody means it badly with you and each failed exam candidate means renewed work for all.

How long does the exam take?

• Exam preparation: 20 min. (Goethe & ÖSD - 15 min)

• Exam interview: 15 min. - Your speaking time: approx. 2-3 min. for each part of the exam

In the preparation time:

• During the preparation time, make notes about the parts of the exam that will help you in the exam.

• Do not take the notes on the task sheets.

• Do not write whole sentences, only key points. Reading whole sentences is not desired in the exam.

During the exam:

• Appear friendly and confident. Bright clothes can also help.

• Listen carefully and answer! The examiner has to evaluate you - show how well you can speak!

• Do not hold monologues.

• Try to keep eye contact. This is sometimes more difficult when you speak than when you listen.

• No yes/no-answers!

What to do with difficult exam partners?

• Think aloud as you develop your thoughts. For example, if you don't know the answer, you can ask for the question to be repeated.

• Learn important phrases.

• If your partner is stronger than you, let him lead but also take the initiative. Don't just answer "yes", "no"! Show that you can communicate.

• If your partner does not understand you, formulate the sentence again differently / more simply. The examiners pay close attention to who says what.

• Don't worry, you won't lose any points!

Important: The speaking part of the exam is mainly about communication and less about grammar!

Important phrases:

• Es tut mir leid, aber ich verstehe deine Frage nicht.

• Kannst du bitte langsamer sprechen?

• Kannst du das bitte wiederholen?

  
  

Talk about a topic:

In this part of the exam, you will read a short text and report it to your interviewer. Your partner has also read a short text with a different opinion and tells you about it.

You should then talk about the topic and talk about your own experiences.

Most important:

• Do not hold monologues!

• Don't talk and worry too much about doing something wrong or right.

• Say your opinion, no matter if it is your real one or not. This is a fictitious situation.

Use the 5 W-questions for the conversation:

• Wer? (Who?)

• Wie? (How?)

• Wo? (Where?)

• Was? (What?)

• Warum? (Why?)

Important phrases:

Telling your opinion:

• Ich glaube (nicht), dass ... V.

• Ich finde (nicht), dass ... V.

• Ich denke (nicht), dass ... V.

• Ich sehe das so:..

• Meiner Meinung nach + V.

Ask (for repetition):

• Kannst du das bitte wiederholen?

• Wie meinst du das?

• Kannst du mir das genauer erklären?

To give consent:

• Genau!

• Ich bin auch deiner Meinung.

• So machen wir das!

Solving a problem:

This part of the test deals with the planning of an event.

Most important:

• Do not hold monologues!

• Don't talk and worry too much about doing something wrong or right.

• Say your opinion, no matter if it is your real one or not. This is a fictitious situation.

Use the 5 W-questions for the conversation:

• Wer? (Who?)

• Wie? (How?)

• Wo? (Where?)

• Was? (What?)

• Warum? (Why?)

Important phrases:

Telling your opinion:

• Ich glaube (nicht), dass ... V.

• Ich finde (nicht), dass ... V.

• Ich denke (nicht), dass ... V.

• Ich sehe das so:..

• Meiner Meinung nach + V.

Ask (for repetition):

• Kannst du das bitte wiederholen?

• Wie meinst du das?

• Kannst du mir das genauer erklären?

To give consent:

• Genau!

• Ich bin auch deiner Meinung.

• So machen wir das!

Make a suggestion/proposal:

• Hast du Lust, ...

• Wollen wir…

Accept a proposal:

• Aber klar!

• Na klar!

• Ich freue mich darauf! Das mache ich gern!

• So machen wir das!

Reject a proposal:

• Das ist sehr nett von dir, aber...

• Es tut mir leid, aber...

• Danke, ich würde aberl ieber...