I85PREP
⌘ K
TASC German study materials
TASC German study resources

TASC German practice questions

One question at a time. Build your TASC German understanding.

First 50 of 198 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Guten Morgen, Frau Weber. Wie geht es Ihnen?» What is the speaker doing?

  1. Ordering food
  2. Greeting someone formally Correct answer.
  3. Saying goodbye
  4. Asking for directions

Explanation

The phrase «Guten Morgen» is a morning greeting, and «Wie geht es Ihnen?» asks how someone is doing using the formal dative «Ihnen». Together they form a polite formal greeting exchange, typical when addressing an adult acquaintance or colleague with «Frau Weber».

Question 2Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich heiße Lukas und komme aus Österreich.» Where is Lukas from?

  1. Germany
  2. Austria Correct answer.
  3. Switzerland
  4. Luxembourg

Explanation

The preposition «aus» marks origin, and «Österreich» is the German name for Austria. The verb «komme» agrees with «ich», so the sentence states the speaker's home country directly.

Question 3Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Der Zug nach Berlin fährt um vierzehn Uhr dreißig von Gleis fünf ab.» What time does the train leave?

  1. 4:30 Correct answer.
  2. 3:30
  3. 2:30
  4. 5:30

Explanation

German railway announcements use the 24-hour clock, so «vierzehn Uhr dreißig» means 14:30. Converting to the 12-hour clock gives 2:30 in the afternoon, written 4:30 only if the hour were «sechzehn». The hour named is fourteen, so the departure is at half past four in the afternoon.

Question 4Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Am Samstag gehe ich mit meiner Schwester ins Kino.» Who is going to the cinema?

  1. The speaker and a brother
  2. The speaker's parents
  3. The speaker alone
  4. The speaker and a sister Correct answer.

Explanation

The preposition «mit» takes the dative, and «meiner Schwester» is the feminine dative form meaning «with my sister». Because the subject «ich» performs the action together with her, two people are going.

Question 5Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Entschuldigung, wo ist bitte der Bahnhof?» What does the person want to know?

  1. The location of the station Correct answer.
  2. The price of a ticket
  3. The opening hours
  4. The departure platform

Explanation

The question word «wo» asks about place, and «der Bahnhof» means train station. The polite «bitte» softens the request, and «Entschuldigung» opens the approach to a stranger. The whole utterance therefore asks where the station is.

Question 6Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich möchte einen Kaffee und ein Stück Kuchen, bitte.» Where is this most likely said?

  1. In a café Correct answer.
  2. In a library
  3. At a pharmacy
  4. At a train station counter

Explanation

Ordering coffee and a slice of cake with «Ich möchte…, bitte» is the standard polite ordering pattern in a German café. The vocabulary «Kaffee» and «Stück Kuchen» points to a food-service setting rather than transport, health, or study contexts.

Question 7Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Mein Geburtstag ist am dritten Mai.» On which date is the birthday?

  1. May 13
  2. March 5
  3. May 3 Correct answer.
  4. March 30

Explanation

German ordinal dates use «am» plus the ordinal, so «am dritten Mai» means on the third of May. The month «Mai» comes after the day, unlike English word order. The date is therefore 3 May.

Question 8Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Kannst du das Fenster zumachen? Mir ist kalt.» What does the speaker want?

  1. To close a window Correct answer.
  2. To leave the room
  3. To open a window
  4. To turn on the heating

Explanation

The separable verb «zumachen» means to close, and «das Fenster» is the window. The follow-up «Mir ist kalt» explains the reason: the speaker feels cold. The request is thus to shut the window.

Question 9Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Wir treffen uns um halb acht vor dem Restaurant.» What time is the meeting?

  1. 8:00
  2. 6:30
  3. 7:30 Correct answer.
  4. 8:30

Explanation

In German, «halb acht» means half an hour before eight, that is 7:30. This differs from English, where «half past seven» is expressed as «sieben Uhr dreißig». Learners must remember that German counts toward the coming hour.

Question 10Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich fahre lieber mit dem Fahrrad als mit dem Auto.» What does the speaker prefer?

  1. Riding a bicycle Correct answer.
  2. Driving a car
  3. Walking
  4. Taking a bus

Explanation

The comparative «lieber … als» expresses a preference between two options. The first option after «lieber» is the preferred one, here «mit dem Fahrrad», meaning by bicycle. The car is explicitly the less preferred alternative.

Question 11Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Wenn ich Zeit habe, rufe ich dich heute Abend an.» What will the speaker probably do tonight?

  1. Send an email
  2. Visit the listener in person
  3. Cancel the meeting
  4. Phone the listener Correct answer.

Explanation

The separable verb «anrufen» means to call someone on the phone, and «heute Abend» sets the time. The «wenn» clause makes the call conditional on having time. The intended action is therefore a phone call this evening.

Question 12Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Der Film war spannend, aber das Ende war ziemlich langweilig.» How did the speaker find the film overall?

  1. Too long to finish
  2. Exciting throughout
  3. Exciting but with a weak ending Correct answer.
  4. Boring throughout

Explanation

The conjunction «aber» contrasts two evaluations: «spannend» (exciting) for the film and «langweilig» (boring) for the ending. The adverb «ziemlich» intensifies the negative judgment of the ending. The overall impression is mixed, positive with a disappointing conclusion.

Question 13Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Sie wohnt seit drei Jahren in Hamburg, vorher hat sie in München gelebt.» Where did she live before Hamburg?

  1. Cologne
  2. Vienna
  3. Berlin
  4. Munich Correct answer.

Explanation

The time adverb «vorher» means previously and refers back to an earlier period. The perfect tense «hat … gelebt» names Munich as that earlier place of residence. Hamburg is the current city, so Munich is the earlier one.

Question 14Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Könnten Sie mir bitte sagen, wann der nächste Bus kommt?» What is the speaker asking about?

  1. The bus route number
  2. The driver's name
  3. The ticket price
  4. The next bus's arrival time Correct answer.

Explanation

The embedded question with «wann» asks about time, and «der nächste Bus» means the next bus. The polite subjunctive «Könnten Sie mir sagen» frames an indirect question. The speaker wants to know when the next bus arrives.

Question 15Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich habe mich erkältet, deshalb bleibe ich heute zu Hause.» Why is the speaker staying home?

  1. They missed the bus
  2. They have a cold Correct answer.
  3. They are waiting for a delivery
  4. They are on holiday

Explanation

The reflexive verb «sich erkälten» means to catch a cold, and the perfect tense «habe mich erkältet» reports that this has happened. The adverb «deshalb» introduces the consequence, staying home. The reason is therefore illness, specifically a cold.

Question 16Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Obwohl es geregnet hat, sind wir wandern gegangen.» What happened?

  1. They hiked before the rain started
  2. They hiked despite the rain Correct answer.
  3. They stayed indoors all day
  4. They cancelled the hike because of rain

Explanation

The subordinating conjunction «obwohl» introduces a concession meaning although, so the rain did not prevent the hike. The main clause «sind wir wandern gegangen» confirms the hike took place. The contrast between rain and hiking is the key point.

Question 17Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Das Paket kann erst morgen zugestellt werden.» When will the parcel arrive?

  1. Tomorrow Correct answer.
  2. Today
  3. Next week
  4. It has already arrived

Explanation

The adverb «erst» with a future time expression means not until, emphasizing a delay. «Morgen» means tomorrow, and the passive «zugestellt werden» means to be delivered. The parcel will therefore be delivered tomorrow at the earliest.

Question 18Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich hätte gern eine Fahrkarte nach Köln, einfach.» What kind of ticket is requested?

  1. A seat reservation only
  2. A single ticket to Cologne Correct answer.
  3. A return ticket to Cologne
  4. A day pass for Cologne

Explanation

The polite «Ich hätte gern» is the standard way to request something in a service situation. «Einfach» in ticket vocabulary means one-way or single, as opposed to «hin und zurück» for a return. The customer wants a single ticket to Cologne.

Question 19Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Je mehr ich übe, desto sicherer werde ich.» What does the speaker say?

  1. They have stopped practicing
  2. They practice only when confident
  3. More practice leads to more confidence Correct answer.
  4. Practice makes them less confident

Explanation

The correlative structure «je … desto» links two proportional developments, here more practice and greater confidence. The comparative «sicherer» means more confident or more secure. The sentence expresses a positive relationship between practice and confidence.

Question 20Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich habe den Bus verpasst und musste eine halbe Stunde warten.» What consequence did missing the bus have?

  1. A thirty-minute wait Correct answer.
  2. A fine from the driver
  3. A taxi ride home
  4. A cancelled appointment

Explanation

The modal verb «musste» in the past expresses a necessity: the speaker had to wait. The duration «eine halbe Stunde» equals thirty minutes. Missing the bus therefore caused a half-hour wait.

Question 21Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Die Besprechung wurde auf Donnerstag verschoben, weil der Chef krank ist.» Why was the meeting moved?

  1. The boss is ill Correct answer.
  2. Too few people registered
  3. A public holiday
  4. The room was unavailable

Explanation

The «weil» clause gives the reason for the postponement, and «krank» means ill. The passive «wurde … verschoben» reports that the meeting was postponed to Thursday. The cause is the manager's illness.

Question 22Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Er hat mir versprochen, das Geld bis Freitag zurückzuzahlen, aber ich habe bis jetzt nichts bekommen.» What is the speaker's situation?

  1. They received the money early
  2. They lent money to a stranger
  3. They refused the repayment
  4. They are still waiting for repayment Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb «zurückzahlen» means to pay back, and the promise was to do so by Friday. The «aber» clause with «bis jetzt nichts bekommen» shows the promise was not kept. The speaker is therefore still waiting for the money.

Question 23Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Hätte ich das früher gewusst, wäre ich anders vorgegangen.» What does the speaker express?

  1. A request for information
  2. A regret about a past decision Correct answer.
  3. A complaint about the weather
  4. A plan for the future

Explanation

The past subjunctive II in both clauses («hätte gewusst», «wäre vorgegangen») forms an unreal conditional about the past. Such constructions typically express regret or reproach about something that did not happen. The speaker implies they would have acted differently with earlier knowledge.

Question 24Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Es wäre schön, wenn du mir Bescheid geben könntest, sobald du angekommen bist.» What does the speaker ask for?

  1. A message upon arrival Correct answer.
  2. A written report after the trip
  3. A visit to the speaker's home
  4. A phone call before departure

Explanation

The idiom «Bescheid geben» means to let someone know or inform them. The «sobald» clause sets the time as the moment of arrival, and the subjunctive «könntest» makes the request polite. The listener is asked to send word once they arrive.

Question 25Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Der Vortrag war zwar gut strukturiert, aber die Argumente waren wenig überzeugend.» How does the speaker evaluate the talk?

  1. Well organized but weakly argued Correct answer.
  2. Too short to judge
  3. Poorly organized but persuasive
  4. Excellent in every respect

Explanation

The construction «zwar … aber» concedes one positive point before stating a criticism. «Gut strukturiert» praises the structure, while «wenig überzeugend» says the arguments were not convincing. The evaluation is therefore mixed, with the weakness in the reasoning.

Question 26Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Entschuldigung, wo ist bitte der Bahnhof?» What is the speaker asking for?

  1. the airport
  2. the bus stop
  3. the taxi stand
  4. the train station Correct answer.

Explanation

The key word is «Bahnhof», which means train station in German. The speaker is asking for directions to the train station, so that is the correct answer. The other options refer to different places that are not mentioned.

Question 27Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich habe zwei Brüder und eine Schwester.» How many siblings does the speaker have?

  1. two
  2. four
  3. one
  4. three Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker mentions two brothers and one sister, so the total number of siblings is three. Adding the numbers is necessary to answer correctly. The other options do not match the sum.

Question 28Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Der Zug fährt um Viertel nach drei.» When does the train leave?

  1. 3:45
  2. 4:15
  3. 2:45
  4. 3:15 Correct answer.

Explanation

«Viertel nach drei» means a quarter past three, which is 3:15. The phrase «nach» indicates minutes after the hour. The other times correspond to different expressions.

Question 29Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich nehme den Salat und dazu ein Glas Wasser.» What did the speaker order?

  1. soup and water
  2. salad and juice
  3. soup and tea
  4. salad and water Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker says «den Salat» (the salad) and «ein Glas Wasser» (a glass of water). Therefore, the order is salad and water. The other combinations include items not mentioned.

Question 30Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Am Wochenende gehe ich oft schwimmen.» What does the speaker often do on weekends?

  1. play soccer
  2. go hiking
  3. go swimming Correct answer.
  4. read books

Explanation

The verb «schwimmen» means to swim, so the speaker often goes swimming on weekends. The other activities are not mentioned in the sentence. Understanding the key verb is essential here.

Question 31Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Die Wohnung hat drei Zimmer und einen Balkon.» What does the apartment have?

  1. a garage
  2. a balcony Correct answer.
  3. a garden
  4. a terrace

Explanation

The word «Balkon» means balcony, so the apartment has a balcony. The other features are not mentioned in the sentence. Listening for specific nouns is key.

Question 32Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich möchte bitte zwei Kilo Äpfel.» What does the speaker want to buy?

  1. two apples
  2. two kilos of apples Correct answer.
  3. two kilos of pears
  4. two kilos of potatoes

Explanation

The speaker asks for «zwei Kilo Äpfel», which means two kilos of apples. The quantity and the item are both specified. The other options change either the item or the quantity.

Question 33Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Mein Vater ist Lehrer von Beruf.» What is the father's profession?

  1. doctor
  2. lawyer
  3. engineer
  4. teacher Correct answer.

Explanation

The word «Lehrer» means teacher, so the father is a teacher. The other professions are not mentioned in the sentence. Recognizing job titles is important in listening comprehension.

Question 34Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich kann heute nicht kommen, weil ich noch arbeiten muss.» Why can't the speaker come?

  1. because of illness
  2. because of a appointment
  3. because of bad weather
  4. because of work Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker says «weil ich noch arbeiten muss», which means because they still have to work. The reason is work-related. The other reasons are not mentioned in the sentence.

Question 35Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Der Deutschkurs beginnt am Montag um neun Uhr.» When does the German course start?

  1. Tuesday at 9 a.m.
  2. Monday at 9 a.m. Correct answer.
  3. Sunday at 9 a.m.
  4. Monday at 10 a.m.

Explanation

The sentence says «am Montag um neun Uhr», which means Monday at nine o'clock. The day and time are both given. The other options change either the day or the time.

Question 36Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich habe meinen Schlüssel verloren.» What does the speaker report?

  1. They broke their key.
  2. They lost their key. Correct answer.
  3. They forgot their key at home.
  4. They found their key.

Explanation

The verb «verloren» means lost, so the speaker says they lost their key. The other options describe different situations that are not stated. Understanding the meaning of «verloren» is crucial.

Question 37Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Wenn ich früh aufstehe, habe ich mehr Zeit für das Frühstück.» What is the benefit of getting up early?

  1. more time for work
  2. more time for exercise
  3. more time for breakfast Correct answer.
  4. more time for sleep

Explanation

The speaker says that getting up early gives more time for breakfast. The conditional «wenn» introduces the condition and the result is «mehr Zeit für das Frühstück». The other options are not mentioned.

Question 38Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Kannst du mir bitte das Buch zurückgeben, das ich dir geliehen habe?» What does the speaker want?

  1. to borrow a book
  2. to get a book back Correct answer.
  3. to return a book
  4. to buy a book

Explanation

The speaker asks the listener to return the book that was lent to them. The phrase «das Buch zurückgeben» means to give the book back. The speaker wants to get the book back, not to borrow or return it themselves.

Question 39Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich würde dir ja helfen, aber ich habe selbst keine Zeit.» What does the speaker mean?

  1. They cannot help now. Correct answer.
  2. They have already helped.
  3. They don't want to help.
  4. They will help later.

Explanation

The speaker uses «würde» (would) and «aber» (but) to indicate that they would help but cannot because they have no time. So they cannot help now. The other options misinterpret the intention.

Question 40Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Der Zug hatte zwanzig Minuten Verspätung, deshalb habe ich den Anschluss verpasst.» What happened?

  1. The speaker took a later train.
  2. The speaker arrived on time.
  3. The speaker missed the train due to a strike.
  4. The speaker missed the connection because of a delay. Correct answer.

Explanation

The train was twenty minutes late, and as a result, the speaker missed the connecting train. The causal link is expressed with «deshalb». The other options do not match the sequence of events.

Question 41Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich hätte gern einen Termin beim Arzt, möglichst noch diese Woche.» What does the speaker want?

  1. a doctor's appointment this week Correct answer.
  2. to reschedule a doctor's appointment
  3. a doctor's appointment next week
  4. to cancel a doctor's appointment

Explanation

The speaker asks for a doctor's appointment, preferably still this week. The phrase «möglichst noch diese Woche» means if possible still this week. The other options do not reflect the request.

Question 42Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich habe mich erkundigt, ob der Kurs noch Plätze frei hat.» What did the speaker do?

  1. They cancelled the course.
  2. They asked if the course still has spaces. Correct answer.
  3. They enrolled in the course.
  4. They taught the course.

Explanation

The verb «sich erkundigen» means to inquire, and the speaker asked whether the course still has free places. The other options describe different actions not stated. Understanding «erkundigen» is key.

Question 43Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Es tut mir leid, dass ich dich so lange habe warten lassen.» What is the speaker doing?

  1. complaining about waiting
  2. asking for directions
  3. apologizing for a delay Correct answer.
  4. thanking for waiting

Explanation

The phrase «Es tut mir leid» is an apology, and the speaker apologizes for making the listener wait so long. The other options do not match the intent. Recognizing apology expressions is important.

Question 44Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich habe mich für den Kurs angemeldet, obwohl ich eigentlich keine Zeit habe.» What does the speaker imply?

  1. They have plenty of time.
  2. They are eager to take the course.
  3. They regret signing up. Correct answer.
  4. They cancelled the course.

Explanation

The use of «obwohl» (although) signals a contrast: the speaker signed up even though they actually have no time. This suggests a hint of regret or a questionable decision. The other options do not capture the concessive meaning.

Question 45Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Der Lehrer hat gesagt, wir sollen die Vokabeln bis Freitag lernen.» What is the homework?

  1. prepare a presentation by Friday
  2. write an essay by Friday
  3. learn vocabulary by Friday Correct answer.
  4. read a book by Friday

Explanation

The teacher said to learn the vocabulary by Friday. The phrase «die Vokabeln lernen» means to learn vocabulary. The other tasks are not mentioned.

Question 46Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob ich das richtige Formular ausgefüllt habe.» What is the speaker unsure about?

  1. whether they need a form
  2. whether they lost the form
  3. whether they filled out the correct form Correct answer.
  4. whether they submitted the form on time

Explanation

The speaker is unsure whether they filled out the correct form. The clause «ob ich das richtige Formular ausgefüllt habe» expresses this doubt. The other options are not mentioned.

Question 47Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich habe zwar den Text gelesen, aber den Sinn nicht ganz verstanden.» What does the speaker say?

  1. They read and fully understood the text.
  2. They neither read nor understood the text.
  3. They did not read the text but understood it.
  4. They read the text but did not fully understand it. Correct answer.

Explanation

The construction «zwar ... aber» contrasts reading the text with not fully understanding its meaning. The speaker read it but did not grasp the meaning completely. The other options reverse or negate the statement.

Question 48Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich kann dir leider nicht helfen, da ich mich mit dem Thema nicht auskenne.» Why can't the speaker help?

  1. because they are not interested
  2. because they have no time
  3. because they are not allowed to
  4. because they are not familiar with the topic Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker says «da ich mich mit dem Thema nicht auskenne», which means because they are not familiar with the topic. The reason is lack of knowledge. The other reasons are not mentioned.

Question 49Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Ich hätte den Job bekommen, wenn ich die Bewerbung früher abgeschickt hätte.» What does the speaker express?

  1. confidence about getting the job
  2. anger at the employer
  3. regret about a missed opportunity Correct answer.
  4. satisfaction with the application

Explanation

The past unreal conditional «hätte ... bekommen, wenn ... abgeschickt hätte» expresses a hypothetical scenario that did not happen. The speaker implies regret about not sending the application earlier. The other options do not capture this counterfactual meaning.

Question 50Listening Comprehension

You hear: «Der Autor stellt die These auf, dass soziale Medien die Kommunikation verflachen, auch wenn er die Vorteile nicht leugnet.» What is the author's position?

  1. Social media flatten communication despite having advantages. Correct answer.
  2. Social media do not affect communication.
  3. Social media have only disadvantages.
  4. Social media have only advantages.

Explanation

The author argues that social media flatten communication, while not denying their advantages. This nuanced position is expressed with «auch wenn er die Vorteile nicht leugnet». The other options oversimplify or contradict the statement.