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Berlin Abitur English LK practice questions

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Question 1Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a listening task, you hear a speaker say: "The council approved the plan, but only after two of its members had walked out." What does the speaker imply about the vote?

  1. The approval was not unanimous. Correct answer.
  2. All members supported the plan.
  3. The plan was rejected after a debate.
  4. The walkout prevented any decision.

Explanation

The contrast marker "but only after" signals a qualification on the approval. Two members leaving before the vote means the decision was carried without full attendance or consent, so the result cannot be described as unanimous.

Question 2Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A news item begins: "Figures released today show that rail passenger numbers have risen for the third consecutive year." Which detail is stated as fact rather than inferred?

  1. Rail travel is now cheaper than driving.
  2. The increase will continue next year.
  3. Passengers are satisfied with the service.
  4. The rise has continued for three years in a row. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase "for the third consecutive year" directly encodes the length of the trend, so this is explicitly stated. The other statements require information the report does not provide.

Question 3Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "I wouldn't say the exhibition was a failure, exactly." How is the speaker's attitude best described?

  1. Strongly approving
  2. Cautiously negative Correct answer.
  3. Completely neutral
  4. Openly enthusiastic

Explanation

The hedge "I wouldn't say ... exactly" softens a negative judgement rather than cancelling it. The speaker avoids the blunt word "failure" but does not offer praise, which produces a reserved, mildly critical stance.

Question 4Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a monologue about revising for exams, the speaker says: "Cramming the night before works for some people. It never worked for me." What is the function of the second sentence?

  1. It gives a reason for the first sentence.
  2. It corrects a factual error in the first sentence.
  3. It contrasts the speaker's experience with a general claim. Correct answer.
  4. It repeats the first sentence in different words.

Explanation

The first sentence makes a general statement about other people; the second shifts to the speaker's own case. The juxtaposition of "some people" and "me" creates a contrast rather than a restatement or a causal link.

Question 5Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A radio interview: "Interviewer: So the funding was cut? - Researcher: Well, the budget was restructured." Why does the researcher choose "restructured"?

  1. To admit that she does not know the details
  2. To change the topic of the interview
  3. To indicate that funding actually increased
  4. To soften a negative fact with more neutral wording Correct answer.

Explanation

The hesitation marker "Well" plus the euphemistic verb "restructured" signals a diplomatic reformulation of bad news. The speaker avoids the blunt word "cut" while still confirming a reduction.

Question 6Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear a student say: "If I'd checked the timetable, I wouldn't have missed the train." What does the sentence tell us?

  1. She checked the timetable and caught the train.
  2. She checked the timetable but still missed the train.
  3. She did not check the timetable and missed the train. Correct answer.
  4. She has not yet missed any train.

Explanation

The third conditional describes an unreal past: the condition was not fulfilled. Since the result clause is negative ("wouldn't have missed"), the real outcome was that she did miss the train because she had not checked.

Question 7Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The museum is open daily except Mondays, and entry is free after 4 p.m." A visitor arrives at 5 p.m. on a Tuesday. What applies?

  1. She needs to book in advance.
  2. She can enter without paying. Correct answer.
  3. She must pay the full entry fee.
  4. She finds the museum closed.

Explanation

Two conditions are given: the day (not Monday) and the time (after 4 p.m.). Tuesday at 5 p.m. satisfies both, so the free-entry rule applies and no payment is required.

Question 8Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a lecture you hear: "Contrary to popular belief, the Vikings did not wear horned helmets; that image comes from nineteenth-century opera." What is the lecturer doing?

  1. Correcting a widespread misconception Correct answer.
  2. Questioning the value of historical research
  3. Describing Viking burial customs
  4. Summarising an opera's plot

Explanation

The frame "Contrary to popular belief" explicitly marks the following clause as a correction of a common error. The origin of the image in opera supports the debunking rather than introducing a new topic.

Question 9Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "The scheme was supposed to reduce traffic by a fifth. In practice, congestion rose slightly." What is the speaker's point?

  1. The scheme failed to achieve its stated aim. Correct answer.
  2. The scheme reduced traffic as planned.
  3. Traffic levels were never measured.
  4. The scheme was cancelled before starting.

Explanation

The contrast between "supposed to" (intended outcome) and "in practice" (actual outcome) sets up a failure. A predicted fall of one fifth followed by a slight rise means the objective was not met.

Question 10Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A podcast host says: "Let's park that question for a moment and come back to the funding issue." What does "park" mean here?

  1. Record it for later broadcast
  2. Reject it as irrelevant
  3. Answer it immediately
  4. Postpone discussion of it Correct answer.

Explanation

The idiom "park" a question in discussion contexts means to set it aside temporarily, reinforced by "come back to". The speaker intends to return to the funding issue later in the exchange.

Question 11Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear a woman say: "It's not that I don't like the idea - it's just that the timing is wrong." What is her position?

  1. She supports the idea but objects to when it happens. Correct answer.
  2. She rejects both the idea and the timing.
  3. She has no opinion on the idea.
  4. She objects to the idea but accepts the timing.

Explanation

The double negative "not that I don't like" is a litotes affirming a positive attitude towards the idea. The "it's just that" clause redirects the objection onto the timing, which is the actual problem.

Question 12Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A weather bulletin states: "Coastal areas should brace for gusts of up to 100 km/h overnight, with ferries likely to be suspended." What is the practical warning for travellers?

  1. Ferry services may be cancelled because of high winds. Correct answer.
  2. Ferry services will run normally all night.
  3. Inland roads will be closed overnight.
  4. Gusts will stay below 60 km/h.

Explanation

The bulletin links strong gusts with the likelihood of ferry suspensions. The modal "likely" signals a probability rather than certainty, but the practical implication for travellers is that crossings may not run.

Question 13Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a debate, one speaker says: "My opponent claims the data are conclusive. I'd invite you to look at the sample size." What rhetorical move is this?

  1. Conceding that the opponent is right
  2. Undermining the opponent's evidence by pointing to a weakness Correct answer.
  3. Repeating the opponent's argument for emphasis
  4. Changing the subject to a different policy

Explanation

The speaker does not deny the data outright but directs the audience to a methodological flaw. Questioning the sample size is a targeted attack on the reliability of the opponent's evidence.

Question 14Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "Had the warning been issued earlier, the evacuation would have run smoothly." What does the speaker suggest?

  1. The warning was issued on time.
  2. The warning came too late. Correct answer.
  3. No evacuation took place.
  4. The evacuation ran smoothly.

Explanation

The inverted third conditional "Had the warning been issued" describes a counterfactual past condition. Since the smooth evacuation depends on an earlier warning that did not happen, the speaker implies the warning was delayed.

Question 15Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker describes a colleague: "She has a way of making you think her idea was yours all along." What quality is being described?

  1. Persuasive subtlety Correct answer.
  2. Reluctance to share ideas
  3. Poor memory for details
  4. Blunt honesty

Explanation

The construction "has a way of" plus the effect described points to a skill in gentle persuasion. Making others believe an idea originated with them implies indirect influence rather than open argument.

Question 16Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a radio phone-in, a caller says: "I'm all for recycling, but let's be honest about the cost." What does "I'm all for" express?

  1. Strong general support, followed by a qualification Correct answer.
  2. Indifference to the topic
  3. Uncertainty about the policy
  4. Complete opposition to the policy

Explanation

The idiom "be all for" means to support something wholeheartedly. The following "but" clause introduces a reservation about cost, so the overall move is support with a caveat.

Question 17Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A lecturer says: "This brings me to my second point, which is perhaps the more controversial one." What is the function of this sentence?

  1. Asking the audience a direct question
  2. Signposting a transition to a new section Correct answer.
  3. Providing a counterargument to herself
  4. Summarising the lecture's conclusion

Explanation

The phrase "brings me to my second point" is a discourse marker announcing a new stage in the talk. The comment on controversy adds emphasis but does not change the signposting function.

Question 18Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "The results were, shall we say, less than impressive." What is the effect of "shall we say"?

  1. It marks the following words as a tactful understatement. Correct answer.
  2. It asks the audience to repeat the words.
  3. It introduces a technical definition.
  4. It signals a direct quotation from a report.

Explanation

The parenthetical "shall we say" is a hedging device that flags a deliberately softened evaluation. "Less than impressive" is a polite way of saying the results were poor.

Question 19Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "Not only did the team miss the deadline, they also exceeded the budget." Which two problems are reported?

  1. Early delivery and underspending
  2. Late delivery and overspending Correct answer.
  3. Late delivery and underspending
  4. Early delivery and overspending

Explanation

Missing a deadline means the work was late, and exceeding a budget means more money was spent than planned. The correlative "not only ... also" links the two failures.

Question 20Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In an interview, the guest says: "That's a fair question, and I think the honest answer is that nobody really knows yet." How does she handle the question?

  1. She acknowledges it and admits uncertainty. Correct answer.
  2. She challenges the interviewer's motive.
  3. She refuses to answer and changes topic.
  4. She gives a precise statistical answer.

Explanation

The evaluative opener "That's a fair question" concedes the legitimacy of the question. The content then states openly that the answer is unknown, which is an admission of uncertainty rather than evasion.

Question 21Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "The proposal was met with a lukewarm reception at best." What does this convey?

  1. The reaction was very positive.
  2. The reaction was unenthusiastic. Correct answer.
  3. The proposal was never presented.
  4. The reception was cancelled.

Explanation

"Lukewarm" describes mild, unenthusiastic support, and "at best" caps the evaluation at that low level. Together they indicate a cool rather than warm response to the proposal.

Question 22Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "If you take one thing away from today, let it be this: check your sources." What is the speaker doing?

  1. Highlighting a single key takeaway Correct answer.
  2. Apologising for a mistake
  3. Ending the talk without a message
  4. Listing several unrelated recommendations

Explanation

The frame "If you take one thing away ... let it be this" is a conventional way of isolating the most important message. The speaker narrows the audience's attention to one instruction.

Question 23Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a report you hear: "While the north saw record rainfall, the south remained in drought." What relationship is expressed?

  1. Contrast between two regions Correct answer.
  2. Sequence of two events in time
  3. Similarity between two regions
  4. Cause and effect between two regions

Explanation

"While" here functions as a subordinator of contrast, setting record rainfall against drought. The two clauses describe opposing conditions in different regions rather than a cause or a sequence.

Question 24Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The minister's statement was long on reassurance and short on detail." What criticism is made?

  1. The statement was too short to understand.
  2. The statement was rude in tone.
  3. The statement was too detailed to follow.
  4. The statement was vague despite sounding comforting. Correct answer.

Explanation

The pattern "long on X and short on Y" evaluates proportions: plenty of reassurance but little substance. The criticism is that the statement lacked concrete information while sounding soothing.

Question 25Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "The study's authors concede that their findings may not hold for younger age groups." What does "concede" signal?

  1. A reluctant admission of a limitation Correct answer.
  2. A refusal to discuss the study
  3. A confident generalisation to all ages
  4. A claim that the data are invalid

Explanation

"Concede" means to admit something reluctantly, often a weakness in one's own position. Here the authors acknowledge a limitation of the study's scope, which is a qualification rather than a rejection of the data.

Question 26Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear a tour guide say: "We'll meet back at the coach at half past three sharp - that's 15:30, not a minute later." What time must the group return?

  1. 3:30 p.m. Correct answer.
  2. 4:30 p.m.
  3. 3:15 p.m.
  4. 3:00 p.m.

Explanation

The guide states 'half past three sharp' and clarifies it as 15:30 in the 24-hour clock. In listening comprehension, times are often given in two formats; here both confirm 3:30 p.m. The word 'sharp' reinforces punctuality, not a different time.

Question 27Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A recorded announcement says: "The 10:15 service to Brighton will depart from platform 4 instead of platform 2." Where should passengers go?

  1. Platform 4 Correct answer.
  2. Platform 15
  3. Platform 10
  4. Platform 2

Explanation

The announcement contrasts the original platform (2) with the new one (4). The phrase 'instead of' signals that platform 4 is the correct departure point. Platforms 10 and 15 are not mentioned; those numbers belong to the service time.

Question 28Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a voicemail, a woman says: "I'm ringing to cancel tomorrow's dentist appointment and rebook for the following week." What does she want to do?

  1. Change the date of her appointment Correct answer.
  2. Cancel without rebooking
  3. Ask for a different dentist
  4. Confirm tomorrow's appointment

Explanation

The caller says she wants to 'cancel tomorrow's appointment and rebook for the following week'. Cancelling and rebooking together means changing the date. She is not simply cancelling, because she adds a new time frame.

Question 29Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A podcast host says: "We've had a lot of emails about this, so let's tackle the question of homework head-on." What does 'tackle head-on' mean here?

  1. Postpone the discussion
  2. Avoid the issue politely
  3. Simplify the topic
  4. Address the issue directly Correct answer.

Explanation

'Tackle' means to deal with something, and 'head-on' means directly and without evasion. Together they indicate that the host will confront the homework question openly. The context of many emails also suggests the topic is important and will be discussed now.

Question 30Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear a student say: "I was going to hand in my essay today, but I've come down with something." What does the student imply?

  1. They need an extension for a different reason
  2. They are too ill to submit the essay today Correct answer.
  3. They have lost the essay
  4. They have already submitted the essay

Explanation

The phrase 'come down with something' is an idiom meaning to become ill. The contrast with 'I was going to hand in my essay today' shows that illness is preventing submission. No other reason is given, and the essay has not been handed in.

Question 31Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a lecture, the speaker says: "The data, far from settling the debate, have only fuelled it." What is the speaker's point about the data?

  1. They have been ignored by researchers
  2. They are irrelevant to the debate
  3. They have intensified the disagreement Correct answer.
  4. They have resolved the disagreement

Explanation

The construction 'far from X, Y' means that instead of X, Y is true. Here, instead of settling the debate, the data have 'fuelled' it, i.e., made it more intense. The speaker thus claims the data increased controversy.

Question 32Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A radio reporter says: "The mayor's plan was greeted with cautious optimism by local businesses." How do local businesses feel?

  1. Hopeful but reserved Correct answer.
  2. Completely opposed
  3. Totally indifferent
  4. Entirely enthusiastic

Explanation

'Cautious optimism' is a fixed phrase combining hope with reservation. The businesses are positive but not fully convinced, so 'hopeful but reserved' captures both elements. It is not outright opposition, nor full enthusiasm, nor indifference.

Question 33Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear: "The council has pledged to halve waiting times for social housing by 2030." What exactly has the council promised?

  1. To cut waiting times by 50% by 2030 Correct answer.
  2. To eliminate all waiting lists by 2030
  3. To reduce waiting times by 2030%
  4. To double the number of social homes by 2030

Explanation

'Halve' means to reduce by half, i.e., by 50%. The deadline is 2030. The promise concerns waiting times, not the number of homes or the complete elimination of lists. Listening for numerical verbs like 'halve' prevents confusion with 'double' or 'eliminate'.

Question 34Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A lecturer says: "Now, this is where the argument gets slippery." What does the lecturer signal?

  1. The topic is physically wet
  2. The reasoning is becoming unreliable Correct answer.
  3. The argument is easy to follow
  4. The lecture is about to end

Explanation

In academic contexts, 'slippery' describes an argument that is difficult to pin down or potentially flawed. The lecturer is warning that the reasoning may be unreliable. The word does not refer to physical wetness, nor does it indicate clarity or conclusion.

Question 35Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In an interview, a scientist says: "We shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to genetic screening." What is she advising?

  1. Replace screening with a different method
  2. Focus only on the risks of screening
  3. Keep the useful parts while removing the flaws Correct answer.
  4. Abandon genetic screening entirely

Explanation

The idiom 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' means to discard something valuable along with what is undesirable. The scientist warns against rejecting genetic screening completely because of its flaws. She implies a balanced approach that retains benefits.

Question 36Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear a guide say: "The castle is open daily except Tuesdays, and entry is free after 3 p.m." A visitor arrives at 4 p.m. on a Wednesday. What applies?

  1. The castle is open and entry is free Correct answer.
  2. The castle is closed for the day
  3. The castle is open but entry is charged
  4. The castle is open only for guided tours

Explanation

The castle is open daily except Tuesdays, so on Wednesday it is open. Entry is free after 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. is after 3 p.m. Therefore both conditions are met: open and free. The day and time must be checked separately.

Question 37Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a debate, a speaker says: "My opponent's figures are impressive, but they cover only the last two years." What is the speaker doing?

  1. Agreeing fully with the opponent
  2. Questioning the relevance of the data Correct answer.
  3. Presenting new figures
  4. Changing the subject

Explanation

The speaker concedes that the figures are impressive but limits their scope to two years. This implies the data may not support a broader conclusion. The move is a qualified challenge to relevance, not full agreement or a new topic.

Question 38Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

A speaker says: "The committee's report was long on vision and short on practical steps." What criticism is made?

  1. The report is too short
  2. The report is overly practical
  3. The report lacks concrete measures Correct answer.
  4. The report ignores the vision

Explanation

The pattern 'long on X and short on Y' means there is plenty of X but insufficient Y. Here X is 'vision' and Y is 'practical steps', so the criticism is a lack of concrete measures. The report itself may be long; 'short on' refers to content, not length.

Question 39Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

You hear a historian say: "The treaty was not so much a peace agreement as a pause in hostilities." What does the historian suggest?

  1. The treaty did not truly end the conflict Correct answer.
  2. The treaty ended the war permanently
  3. The treaty was never signed
  4. The treaty was a military alliance

Explanation

The construction 'not so much X as Y' reinterprets the treaty: rather than a genuine peace, it was merely a temporary halt. This implies the underlying conflict continued. The historian thus doubts the treaty's effectiveness as a peace settlement.

Question 40Hörverstehen / Listening comprehension

In a lecture on climate policy, the speaker says: "The scheme was supposed to cut emissions by a third. In practice, emissions rose slightly." What is the speaker's point?

  1. The scheme exceeded expectations
  2. The scheme failed to achieve its aim Correct answer.
  3. The scheme cut emissions as planned
  4. The scheme was never implemented

Explanation

The speaker contrasts the intended reduction (by a third) with the actual outcome (a slight rise). This gap shows the scheme did not meet its goal. The phrase 'in practice' signals a contrast with theory or intention.

Question 41Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

In the Berlin Abitur English LK reading paper, candidates typically encounter a text followed by tasks of different types. Which task type requires candidates to demonstrate that they have understood the central argument of the whole text rather than isolated details?

  1. A task asking for the translation of selected paragraphs into German
  2. A task asking for the spelling correction of underlined words
  3. A task asking for a summary of the author's main line of argument Correct answer.
  4. A task asking for a list of all dates and place names in the text

Explanation

Global comprehension tasks ask readers to reconstruct the overall message and structure of a text, which is why summarising the author's line of argument is the classic format. Detail tasks, by contrast, target single pieces of information. Recognising this distinction helps candidates choose the right reading strategy before answering.

Question 42Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

A candidate reads an Abitur text in which the author writes: 'It would be naive to assume that social media alone explains the decline in civic engagement.' What does the author signal about the relationship between social media and civic engagement?

  1. Social media has no connection whatsoever to civic engagement
  2. Social media is one factor among several, not the sole explanation Correct answer.
  3. Social media strengthens civic engagement over time
  4. Social media is the single decisive cause of the decline

Explanation

The phrase 'it would be naive to assume that X alone explains Y' explicitly rejects a monocausal reading while still keeping X in play as one possible factor. The author therefore denies that social media is the only cause, not that it is irrelevant. Careful attention to hedging words like 'alone' is essential in Abitur comprehension items.

Question 43Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

In a reading comprehension text, the sentence 'The report stops short of recommending a ban' appears. Which interpretation is most accurate?

  1. The report contains no information about a ban
  2. The report recommends the opposite of a ban
  3. The report explicitly recommends a ban
  4. The report does not go as far as recommending a ban Correct answer.

Explanation

'To stop short of doing something' means to come close to an action without actually taking it. The report therefore approaches but does not reach a recommendation for a ban. This idiom is frequently tested because a literal reading would mislead the candidate.

Question 44Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

A text contains the paragraph: 'Critics argue that standardized testing narrows the curriculum. Supporters counter that it guarantees comparable standards across schools. Both camps, however, agree that the current testing regime places excessive pressure on students.' Which statement is best supported by this paragraph?

  1. Critics and supporters share a concern about pressure on students Correct answer.
  2. Supporters believe testing has no effect on the curriculum
  3. Critics believe testing guarantees comparable standards
  4. Critics and supporters disagree on whether testing pressures students

Explanation

The paragraph sets up a contrast between critics and supporters and then uses 'Both camps, however, agree' to introduce a point of consensus. That consensus is the excessive pressure on students. The function of 'however' here is to shift from disagreement to shared ground.

Question 45Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

When an Abitur reading task asks you to 'analyse the author's use of rhetorical questions', what is the task primarily testing?

  1. Whether you can rewrite the questions as statements
  2. Whether you can count how many questions appear in the text
  3. Whether you can identify the stylistic devices and explain their persuasive function Correct answer.
  4. Whether you can translate the questions into correct German

Explanation

Analysis tasks in the LK paper require naming a device and explaining its effect on the reader within the argument. Identifying rhetorical questions is only the first step; the persuasive function must be articulated. Merely counting or translating does not constitute analysis.

Question 46Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

Read this excerpt: 'Far from being a neutral technology, the algorithm encodes the priorities of those who built it.' Which reading best captures the author's stance?

  1. Algorithms are neutral but their users are not
  2. Algorithms are neutral because they are purely technical
  3. Algorithms are incapable of encoding any information
  4. Algorithms reflect the values of their creators rather than being objective Correct answer.

Explanation

The construction 'far from being X, Y' emphatically rejects X and asserts Y. Here X is neutrality and Y is the encoding of the builders' priorities, so the author claims that algorithms carry human values. Recognising this contrastive frame is a recurring requirement in LK reading tasks.

Question 47Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

A text states: 'The minister's remarks were widely interpreted as a U-turn on climate policy.' What does this sentence imply?

  1. The minister refused to comment on climate policy
  2. The minister reversed a previously held position Correct answer.
  3. The minister confirmed the existing climate policy
  4. The minister announced a new transport policy

Explanation

A 'U-turn' is a metaphor from driving that denotes a complete reversal of position or policy. The sentence therefore implies that the minister changed course on climate policy. Understanding idiomatic metaphors is part of the lexical competence tested in reading comprehension.

Question 48Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

In an Abitur reading text, a paragraph begins: 'Admittedly, the scheme has reduced waiting times. Yet the costs have spiralled.' How does the writer structure the argument in this paragraph?

  1. By presenting a cause followed by its logical consequence
  2. By rejecting the scheme's benefits as entirely fictitious
  3. By listing two equally positive effects of the scheme
  4. By conceding a point and then introducing a stronger counterpoint Correct answer.

Explanation

'Admittedly' introduces a concession, acknowledging a point that favours the other side, while 'Yet' signals the counterpoint that the writer considers decisive. This concession-counter structure is a common rhetorical pattern in argumentative texts. Recognising it helps candidates identify the author's real position.

Question 49Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

Which of the following best describes the function of a topic sentence in an expository paragraph of the kind set in the LK reading paper?

  1. It introduces an opposing view that is never resolved
  2. It announces the paragraph's central idea, which the following sentences develop Correct answer.
  3. It provides a concrete example that supports the conclusion
  4. It summarises the entire text at the end of the passage

Explanation

A topic sentence states the main idea of a paragraph and controls what follows, with supporting sentences developing or illustrating it. It normally appears at or near the beginning. Confusing it with a concluding summary or an example is a common error in structure questions.

Question 50Leseverstehen / Reading comprehension

A candidate must answer a 'true/false/not stated' item about a text on urban gardening. The text says that community gardens 'have improved neighbourly relations in some districts'. Which answer is correct for the statement 'Community gardens have improved neighbourly relations in every district'?

  1. False Correct answer.
  2. Not stated
  3. Partly true
  4. True

Explanation

The text limits the claim to 'some districts', which directly contradicts the universal quantifier 'every district'. When a statement overgeneralises a qualified claim, the correct response is 'false' rather than 'not stated'. The distinction matters because 'not stated' applies only when the text is silent.