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WACE German Second Language study materials
WACE German Second Language study resources

WACE German Second Language practice questions

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Question 1Listening

You hear: "Ich stehe jeden Tag um sieben Uhr auf." What time does the speaker get up?

  1. At six o'clock
  2. At half past seven
  3. At seven o'clock Correct answer.
  4. At eight o'clock

Explanation

The separable verb aufstehen appears split: 'stehe ... auf'. The time phrase is 'um sieben Uhr', which means at seven o'clock. Listening for the time expression after 'um' gives the answer directly.

Question 2Listening

You hear: "Meine Schwester hat zwei Kinder, einen Jungen und ein Mädchen." How many children does the sister have?

  1. Three
  2. One
  3. Two Correct answer.
  4. Four

Explanation

The number word 'zwei' is stated before 'Kinder'. The following phrase lists exactly the two children: one boy and one girl. Counting the named children confirms the total.

Question 3Listening

You hear: "Am Wochenende fahren wir ans Meer, weil das Wetter so schön ist." Why are they going to the sea?

  1. Because the train is fast
  2. Because the hotel is cheap
  3. Because the weather is so nice Correct answer.
  4. Because the children want to swim

Explanation

The subordinate clause introduced by 'weil' gives the reason. It states 'das Wetter so schön ist', meaning the weather is very nice. A 'weil' clause typically answers a 'why' question.

Question 4Listening

You hear: "Entschuldigung, wo ist bitte der Bahnhof?" What is the person asking for?

  1. The station Correct answer.
  2. The platform number
  3. The timetable
  4. The ticket price

Explanation

The question word 'wo' asks for a location, and the noun 'Bahnhof' means station. The polite 'bitte' does not change the meaning. So the speaker wants to know where the station is.

Question 5Listening

You hear: "Ich möchte einen Kaffee und ein Stück Kuchen, bitte." Where is this conversation most likely taking place?

  1. At a train station
  2. At a doctor's office
  3. In a library
  4. In a café Correct answer.

Explanation

Ordering coffee and a piece of cake with 'ich möchte' is typical café language. The vocabulary of drinks and cake signals a food venue. Other settings would not involve this order.

Question 6Listening

You hear: "Der Film beginnt um Viertel nach acht." When does the film start?

  1. At 7:45
  2. At 8:45
  3. At 8:15 Correct answer.
  4. At 7:15

Explanation

'Viertel nach acht' means a quarter past eight, that is 8:15. The word 'nach' indicates minutes after the hour. 'Viertel vor' would mean a quarter to the hour instead.

Question 7Listening

You hear: "Mein Bruder ist größer als ich, aber ich bin schneller." What does the speaker say about the brother?

  1. He is taller Correct answer.
  2. He is younger
  3. He is faster
  4. He is quieter

Explanation

The comparative 'größer als ich' means taller than me. The 'aber' clause contrasts this with the speaker being faster. So the brother is the taller one, not the faster one.

Question 8Listening

You hear: "Nimm die zweite Straße links und dann geradeaus." What should you do after turning?

  1. Go straight ahead Correct answer.
  2. Take the bus
  3. Turn right again
  4. Stop at the corner

Explanation

The sequence is given with 'und dann', meaning and then. After taking the second street on the left, the instruction is 'geradeaus', which means straight ahead. Listening for sequencing words helps order the directions.

Question 9Listening

You hear: "Kannst du mir bitte sagen, wann der nächste Zug nach Hamburg fährt?" What does the speaker want to know?

  1. The price of a ticket to Hamburg
  2. The platform for the Hamburg train
  3. Whether the Hamburg train is late
  4. The departure time of the next Hamburg train Correct answer.

Explanation

The indirect question uses 'wann', which asks about time. The phrase 'der nächste Zug nach Hamburg fährt' identifies the next train to Hamburg. Therefore the speaker asks when that train departs.

Question 10Listening

You hear: "Wenn ich genug Geld hätte, würde ich nach Österreich reisen." What is true about the speaker?

  1. They have already visited Austria
  2. They dislike travelling abroad
  3. They are travelling to Austria now
  4. They do not have enough money at the moment Correct answer.

Explanation

The Konjunktiv II forms 'hätte' and 'würde' express an unreal condition. This means the speaker does not currently have enough money. The travel is imagined, not real.

Question 11Listening

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

  1. They stayed home because of rain
  2. They hiked before it rained
  3. They went hiking despite the rain Correct answer.
  4. They cancelled the hike

Explanation

'Obwohl' introduces a concessive clause meaning although. The main clause 'sind wir wandern gegangen' states they did go hiking. The contrast is that rain did not stop them.

Question 12Listening

You hear a shop assistant say: "Leider haben wir das in Ihrer Größe nicht mehr, aber ich kann es bestellen." What does the assistant offer?

  1. To order the item for the customer Correct answer.
  2. To repair the customer's item
  3. A different colour in stock
  4. A discount on another item

Explanation

The phrase 'ich kann es bestellen' means I can order it. The assistant first admits the size is unavailable. The offer is therefore to order the requested item.

Question 13Listening

You hear: "Ich habe mich erkältet und muss leider die Prüfung verschieben." What is the speaker going to do?

  1. Cancel the exam permanently
  2. Postpone the exam Correct answer.
  3. Take the exam as planned
  4. Ask a friend to take the exam

Explanation

The verb 'verschieben' means to postpone or move to another date. The speaker has caught a cold, which is the reason. Postponing is different from cancelling altogether.

Question 14Listening

You hear: "Das Konzert war toll, aber am Ende war es viel zu laut." What is the speaker's opinion?

  1. The concert was good but too loud at the end Correct answer.
  2. The concert was too short
  3. The concert was cancelled
  4. The concert was boring from the start

Explanation

The speaker praises the concert with 'toll' but adds a criticism using 'aber'. The criticism is 'viel zu laut' at the end. Both parts of the opinion must be combined for the full meaning.

Question 15Listening

You hear: "Wenn du früher losgefahren wärst, hättest du den Zug nicht verpasst." What does the speaker mean?

  1. The train left earlier than usual
  2. The listener caught the train easily
  3. The listener should take a later train
  4. The listener missed the train because they left too late Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a past unreal conditional using 'wärst' and 'hättest'. It implies the listener did not leave early and therefore missed the train. The criticism is about leaving too late.

Question 16Listening

You hear: "Ich wohne seit drei Jahren in Perth, vorher habe ich in München gelebt." Where did the speaker live before Perth?

  1. In Vienna
  2. In Munich Correct answer.
  3. In Hamburg
  4. In Berlin

Explanation

'Vorher' signals what happened before the current situation. The place named for that earlier period is München, which is Munich in English. Recognising the English name for the German city is essential here.

Question 17Listening

You hear: "Der Lehrer sagt, wir sollen die Aufgaben bis Freitag abgeben." What must the students do by Friday?

  1. Read a new book
  2. Clean the classroom
  3. Hand in the tasks Correct answer.
  4. Take a test

Explanation

The modal 'sollen' reports an instruction from the teacher. The verb 'abgeben' means to hand in or submit. The deadline is Friday, and the object is 'die Aufgaben'.

Question 18Listening

You hear: "Es tut mir leid, aber ich kann heute Abend nicht kommen, weil meine Eltern zu Besuch sind." Why can't the speaker come?

  1. They have no transport
  2. They are ill
  3. They have to work late
  4. Their parents are visiting Correct answer.

Explanation

The 'weil' clause supplies the reason: 'meine Eltern zu Besuch sind'. This means the parents are visiting. The apology 'es tut mir leid' shows the speaker regrets cancelling.

Question 19Listening

You hear: "Ich hätte gern eine Fahrkarte nach Bonn, einfach, bitte." What kind of ticket does the speaker want?

  1. A ticket to Berlin
  2. A return ticket to Bonn
  3. A weekly pass for Bonn
  4. A single ticket to Bonn Correct answer.

Explanation

'Einfach' in a ticket context means one-way or single. The destination is Bonn, and 'hätte gern' is a polite way to request something. A return ticket would be 'hin und zurück'.

Question 20Listening

You hear: "Meine Mutter meint, ich sollte mehr Sport machen, aber ich habe einfach keine Zeit." What is the speaker's attitude?

  1. They agree fully with their mother
  2. They think sport is dangerous
  3. They have already joined a sports club
  4. They accept the advice but say they lack time Correct answer.

Explanation

The mother's advice is reported with 'sollte'. The 'aber' clause shows the speaker's objection: no time. So the speaker does not reject the idea itself, only the practicality.

Question 21Listening

You hear: "Bevor du das Formular abschickst, solltest du alle Angaben noch einmal prüfen." What advice is given?

  1. Delete the form and start again
  2. Print the form twice
  3. Send the form immediately
  4. Check all the details before sending Correct answer.

Explanation

'Bevor' means before, and 'prüfen' means to check. The advice is to review all details prior to submitting the form. The modal 'solltest' softens it as a recommendation.

Question 22Listening

You hear: "Die Veranstaltung fällt leider aus; wir holen sie aber im nächsten Monat nach." What will happen to the event?

  1. It is moved to next month Correct answer.
  2. It starts earlier than planned
  3. It becomes free of charge
  4. It is cancelled with no replacement

Explanation

'Ausfallen' means to be cancelled for now, but 'nachholen' means to make up later. The replacement date is next month. So the event is postponed rather than dropped entirely.

Question 23Listening

You hear: "Hätte ich damals besser aufgepasst, wäre ich jetzt nicht in dieser Situation." What does the speaker express?

  1. Regret about not paying attention earlier Correct answer.
  2. Satisfaction with past decisions
  3. A plan to repeat the same choice
  4. Confusion about the current date

Explanation

The past unreal conditional with 'hätte' and 'wäre' expresses regret about the past. The speaker wishes they had paid more attention. The result is their present difficult situation.

Question 24Listening

You hear: "Der Vortrag war zwar gut strukturiert, allerdings hat der Referent die Fragen des Publikums kaum beantwortet." What is the main criticism?

  1. The talk was far too short
  2. The speaker barely answered audience questions Correct answer.
  3. The audience asked no questions
  4. The structure was chaotic

Explanation

'Zwar ... allerdings' sets up a concession followed by criticism. The positive point is good structure, and the criticism is that questions were hardly answered. 'Kaum' means barely or hardly.

Question 25Listening

You hear: "Es sei denn, die Lieferung kommt heute noch, müssen wir das Projekt verschieben." What does the speaker mean?

  1. The project continues only if the delivery arrives today Correct answer.
  2. The delivery has already arrived
  3. The project is definitely postponed
  4. The project has been cancelled completely

Explanation

'Es sei denn' introduces an exception, meaning unless. So the project must be postponed unless the delivery still arrives today. The delivery is the condition that would prevent postponement.

Question 26Listening

You hear: "Der Zug fährt um halb sieben ab." When does the train leave?

  1. At 5:30
  2. At 6:15
  3. At 6:30 Correct answer.
  4. At 7:30

Explanation

In German time-telling, "halb" refers to the half hour before the stated hour, so "halb sieben" means 6:30, not 7:30. Learners must remember this differs from English usage.

Question 27Listening

You hear: "Ich stehe jeden Tag um sechs Uhr auf, nur am Sonntag eine Stunde später." When does the speaker get up on Sunday?

  1. At eight o'clock
  2. At five o'clock
  3. At seven o'clock Correct answer.
  4. At six o'clock

Explanation

The speaker normally rises at six and on Sunday sleeps one hour longer, so the Sunday time is seven o'clock. The phrase "eine Stunde später" signals adding one hour to the usual time.

Question 28Listening

You hear: "Die Bäckerei ist montags geschlossen, sonst aber von sieben bis achtzehn Uhr geöffnet." When can you buy bread there on a Tuesday?

  1. Between seven in the morning and six in the evening Correct answer.
  2. All day until midnight
  3. Not at all that day
  4. Only in the morning

Explanation

The shop closes on Mondays but on other days opens from seven until eighteen o'clock, which is six in the evening. Tuesday is not the closing day, so the normal opening hours apply.

Question 29Listening

You hear: "Meine Schwester hat ihren Rucksack in der Küche liegen lassen." Where is the backpack?

  1. At school
  2. In the kitchen Correct answer.
  3. In the sister's room
  4. In the hallway

Explanation

The separable verb "liegen lassen" together with the place "in der Küche" states where the object was left. The backpack is therefore in the kitchen.

Question 30Listening

You hear: "Ich möchte bitte zwei Kilo Äpfel und ein Brot." Where is this conversation most likely taking place?

  1. At a market stall Correct answer.
  2. At a train station
  3. At a library
  4. At a cinema

Explanation

Buying fruit by weight and bread by the loaf indicates a food shop or market. The vocabulary of quantities and groceries points to a place selling fresh produce.

Question 31Listening

You hear: "Es ist heute sehr kalt, zieh dir bitte eine Jacke an." What is the speaker telling the listener to do?

  1. Take off a jacket
  2. Open a window
  3. Put on a jacket Correct answer.
  4. Buy a new coat

Explanation

The separable verb "anziehen" in the imperative means to put something on. Because it is cold, the speaker asks the listener to wear a jacket.

Question 32Listening

You hear: "Am Wochenende fahren wir ans Meer, weil das Wetter so schön werden soll." Why are they going to the sea?

  1. Because the children want to swim
  2. Because the sea is nearby
  3. Because the weather is expected to be good Correct answer.
  4. Because they have visitors

Explanation

The subordinate clause introduced by "weil" gives the reason: the weather is supposed to become lovely. "Soll" here expresses what is forecast.

Question 33Listening

You hear: "Entschuldigung, wie komme ich am besten zum Bahnhof?" What is the speaker asking for?

  1. The time of the next train
  2. The price of a ticket
  3. Directions to the station Correct answer.
  4. The platform number

Explanation

The question "wie komme ich ... zum Bahnhof" asks how to reach the station, which is a request for directions. The other details are not requested.

Question 34Listening

You hear: "Ich habe den Bus verpasst, deshalb komme ich etwa zwanzig Minuten zu spät." Why will the speaker be late?

  1. Because they missed the bus Correct answer.
  2. Because the bus broke down
  3. Because they overslept
  4. Because the meeting was moved

Explanation

The speaker states "Ich habe den Bus verpasst", meaning the bus was missed, and links this with "deshalb" to the delay. The cause is clearly the missed bus.

Question 35Listening

You hear: "Könnten Sie mir sagen, ob der Kurs am Montag oder erst am Dienstag anfängt?" What does the speaker want to know?

  1. How much the course costs
  2. Who teaches the course
  3. Which day the course begins Correct answer.
  4. Where the course takes place

Explanation

The indirect question with "ob" asks whether the course starts on Monday or only on Tuesday, so the speaker wants the starting day. The alternatives offered are both days.

Question 36Listening

You hear: "Ich würde lieber mit dem Fahrrad fahren, aber bei diesem Regen nehme ich doch den Bus." How will the speaker travel?

  1. By bus Correct answer.
  2. By car
  3. On foot
  4. By bicycle

Explanation

Although the speaker prefers cycling, the rain leads to the decision "nehme ich doch den Bus". The word "doch" marks the actual choice that overrides the preference.

Question 37Listening

You hear: "Der Arzt hat mir geraten, weniger Kaffee zu trinken und früher ins Bett zu gehen." What did the doctor recommend?

  1. Working fewer hours
  2. Taking more exercise
  3. Drinking less coffee and sleeping earlier Correct answer.
  4. Eating more vegetables

Explanation

The reported advice uses "weniger Kaffee zu trinken" and "früher ins Bett zu gehen", so both parts belong to the recommendation. Recognising reported speech with "raten" is key.

Question 38Listening

You hear: "Wir treffen uns um sieben vor dem Kino, falls es nicht regnet." What condition is attached to the meeting?

  1. It must not rain Correct answer.
  2. The cinema must be open
  3. Everyone must arrive by six
  4. The film must be good

Explanation

The conjunction "falls" introduces a condition, and "falls es nicht regnet" means provided it does not rain. The meeting depends on dry weather.

Question 39Listening

You hear: "Ich habe die E-Mail schon gestern geschickt, du müsstest sie eigentlich längst haben." What does the speaker assume?

  1. The email was never written
  2. The listener should already have the email Correct answer.
  3. The listener deleted the email
  4. The email was sent this morning

Explanation

"Du müsstest sie längst haben" expresses the assumption that the message should have arrived long ago. The sending happened yesterday, so the listener ought to have it.

Question 40Listening

You hear: "Das Zimmer ist leider schon vergeben, aber im Hotel nebenan ist noch etwas frei." What does the speaker offer?

  1. A room in the neighbouring hotel Correct answer.
  2. A room for next weekend
  3. A cheaper room in the same hotel
  4. A refund of the deposit

Explanation

Since the room is already taken, the speaker points to the hotel next door where something is still available. The offer is an alternative room nearby.

Question 41Listening

You hear: "Obwohl ich den ganzen Tag gelernt habe, fühle ich mich für die Prüfung nicht vorbereitet." How does the speaker feel?

  1. Unprepared despite studying Correct answer.
  2. Too tired to study
  3. Confident about the exam
  4. Angry about the exam date

Explanation

The concessive clause "obwohl ich ... gelernt habe" contrasts with the main clause "fühle ich mich nicht vorbereitet". The speaker studied all day yet still feels unprepared.

Question 42Listening

You hear: "Die Wohnung ist zwar klein, aber sie liegt sehr zentral und ist bezahlbar." What is the speaker's overall view of the flat?

  1. It is large but noisy
  2. It is well located and affordable despite its size Correct answer.
  3. It is too far from the centre
  4. It is too expensive

Explanation

The "zwar ... aber" structure concedes that the flat is small while highlighting the positive points: central location and affordability. The overall assessment is favourable.

Question 43Listening

You hear: "Wenn ich den Termin nicht verschieben könnte, müsste ich die Präsentation heute halten." What is true about the presentation?

  1. It has already been given
  2. It can probably be postponed Correct answer.
  3. It will definitely take place today
  4. It has been cancelled

Explanation

The unreal conditional with "könnte" and "müsste" suggests the appointment can likely be moved, so the presentation need not be today. The subjunctive signals a hypothetical situation.

Question 44Listening

You hear: "Der Kurs fängt nicht um neun, sondern erst um zehn Uhr an." When does the course start?

  1. At nine
  2. At ten Correct answer.
  3. At eleven
  4. At half past nine

Explanation

The construction "nicht ... sondern" corrects the time: not nine but ten o'clock. The corrected element is the one after "sondern".

Question 45Listening

You hear: "Ich hätte die Prüfung fast nicht geschrieben, weil ich krank war." What does the speaker say?

  1. They nearly did not sit the exam Correct answer.
  2. They failed the exam because of illness
  3. They will repeat the exam later
  4. They wrote the exam despite being healthy

Explanation

The adverb "fast" with the negation "nicht geschrieben" means the speaker almost did not take the exam. The illness is given as the reason for this near-miss.

Question 46Listening

You hear: "Ich bin zwar mit dem Ergebnis zufrieden, allerdings hätte ich mir mehr Zeit für die Vorbereitung gewünscht." What is the speaker's main criticism?

  1. The result was disappointing
  2. The team did not cooperate
  3. There was not enough preparation time Correct answer.
  4. The deadline was too generous

Explanation

The "zwar ... allerdings" structure concedes satisfaction with the result but criticises the preparation. The subjunctive "hätte ... gewünscht" expresses the wish for more time.

Question 47Listening

You hear: "Es wäre besser gewesen, du hättest dich vorher erkundigt, dann hättest du dir die Fahrt sparen können." What does the speaker imply?

  1. The listener should have asked in advance Correct answer.
  2. The journey was worth the effort
  3. The listener saved money on the trip
  4. The listener asked too many questions

Explanation

The past unreal conditional with "hättest dich erkundigt" points to a missed action: asking beforehand. The second clause explains that this would have made the trip unnecessary.

Question 48Listening

You hear: "Der Bericht ist an sich ganz solide, doch an den entscheidenden Stellen fehlen die Belege." What is the speaker's assessment?

  1. The report is solid but lacks evidence in key places Correct answer.
  2. The report has too many sources
  3. The report is entirely convincing
  4. The report should be shortened

Explanation

The phrase "an sich ganz solide" concedes basic quality, while "doch ... fehlen die Belege" identifies missing evidence at decisive points. The structure balances praise with specific criticism.

Question 49Listening

You hear: "Sofern die Genehmigung rechtzeitig eintrifft, können wir wie geplant beginnen; andernfalls verschiebt sich alles um zwei Wochen." What determines the start date?

  1. The cost of materials
  2. The arrival of the permit Correct answer.
  3. The number of participants
  4. The weather forecast

Explanation

The conditional "sofern die Genehmigung rechtzeitig eintrifft" makes the permit the deciding factor. "Andernfalls" introduces the consequence of a two-week delay if it does not arrive.

Question 50Listening

You hear: "Man hat mir zugesagt, dass die Stelle ab März frei wird, vorausgesetzt, der bisherige Kollege geht wirklich in Rente." What is the job offer dependent on?

  1. A change in the start month
  2. The colleague actually retiring Correct answer.
  3. The company moving offices
  4. The speaker passing a test

Explanation

The participle construction "vorausgesetzt, der bisherige Kollege geht wirklich in Rente" sets the condition. The position only becomes free if the current colleague really retires.