Czech B1 cheat sheet

Scan for question keywords first, then locate the matching paragraph; answers follow text order in most B1 tasks.

Distractor options often repeat exact words from the text but reverse the meaning; correct options paraphrase.

For matching headings, identify the topic sentence (usually first or second sentence) and the repeated lexical chain.

Signal words signal logical relations: however/but = contrast, therefore/so = result, because/since = cause, for example = illustration.

In true/false tasks, statements with absolute words (vždy, nikdy, všichni, žádný) are usually false unless the text states them explicitly.

Pronouns refer back to the nearest compatible noun: ten/ta/to, jeho, její, jejich; track gender and number to resolve reference.

Unknown word strategy: use word formation (prefixes ne-, bez-, pře-; suffixes -ost, -telný, -ář) and context to infer meaning.

Time limit discipline: allocate about 1.5 minutes per item; mark uncertain items and return after completing easier ones.

Read answer options before the recording starts; predict the topic and the type of information needed (number, place, reason).

Listen for numbers, times, and prices carefully: B1 recordings often correct themselves ("vlastně", "tedy", "ne, počkej").

Negation is frequently tested: nesmíš, nemusíš, nechci, nikdy; missing a prefix reverses the meaning.

Distinguish similar-sounding pairs: bydlet/být, mít/mýt, být/bít, led/let; context and collocations decide.

In multiple-choice tasks, the correct option paraphrases the recording; the option repeating exact words is often a trap.

Note discourse markers that introduce the answer: "důvod je", "proto", "hlavně", "naopak", "podle mě".

For gap-fill listening, check grammar agreement after writing: case, gender, number, and verb conjugation must fit the sentence.

If you miss an item, abandon it immediately and rejoin the recording; do not let one gap cause further losses.

Formal email opens with Vážený pane / Vážená paní + surname or function, closes with S pozdravem; informal uses Ahoj / Měj se.

Address form: pane Nováku (vocative masculine), paní Nováková (nominative feminine); avoid pane Novák in direct address.

Word order is topic-comment: known information first, new information at the end; the focus position is final.

Clitics (se, si, mi, ti, mu, mě, tě, ho) are second position in the clause: Já se mu to snažím vysvětlit.

Past tense: auxiliary jsem/jsi/jsme/jste + past participle; third person singular and plural have no auxiliary.

Conditional: bych, bys, by, bychom, byste, by + past participle; the auxiliary follows the same second-position rule.

Cohesion: use connectors proto, však, navíc, na druhou stranu, kromě toho, závěrem to link paragraphs logically.

Check list before submitting: all required points covered, verb endings agree with subjects, formal vs informal register consistent.

Describe a picture with a fixed frame: location (na obrázku je…), people (vidím muže, který…), action (právě dělá…), atmosphere (vypadá to, že…).

Use relative clauses to extend answers: který/která/které, jenž, kde; agreement in gender and number is obligatory.

For opinion tasks, structure: statement (Myslím, že…), reason (protože…), example (například…), concession (na druhou stranu…).

Repair strategies keep fluency: Jak se to řekne…? Myslím tím…, Chci říct…, prostě…; avoid switching to English.

Aspect matters in narration: imperfective for background (četl jsem), perfective for completed events (přečetl jsem).

Fillers that sound natural in Czech: no, tak, vlastně, prostě, jako; use sparingly, not in every sentence.

Formal register in interaction: vykání (Vy jste…, Co si myslíte?) with strangers and officials; tykání only with friends and peers.

Self-correction is acceptable if fluent: place the correction immediately after the error and continue the sentence.

Seven cases: nominativ, genitiv, dativ, akuzativ, vokativ, lokál, instrumentál; prepositions govern fixed cases (na + akuzativ for direction, na + lokál for location).

Verb aspect pairs: dělat/udělat, psát/napsat, kupovat/koupit; perfective has no present tense form.

Reflexive verbs: učit se (learn), učit (teach); myt se (wash oneself), mýt (wash something); the se/si changes meaning.

Past participle agreement: masculine animate plural -li (muži šli), other plural -ly (ženy šly, děti šly).

Conditional forms: bych, bys, by, bychom, byste, by; past conditional adds byl/byla/bylo before the participle.

Word formation: prefix changes aspect/meaning (při-, od-, vy-, za-), suffix changes part of speech (-ní, -ost, -telný, -ář).

Common prepositional phrases: záleží na + lokál, těšit se na + akuzativ, bát se + genitiv, zajímat se o + akuzativ.

Numeral agreement: dva/dvě, tři/čtyři + nominative plural; pět and above + genitive plural (pět studentů).