DTZ flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

DTZ listening part count

The listening section contains four parts and 20 items in total; Part 1 texts are played twice, while Parts 2 to 4 are played only once each.

Corrected number trap

In listening tasks a speaker often names a time, price or date and then corrects it with sondern or eigentlich; the corrected figure is the answer, not the first one.

Two-play advantage

Because Part 1 texts are heard twice, use the first pass for gist and the second to confirm the exact word, number or name needed for the answer.

Speaker-matching distractors

In speaker-matching items, an option often repeats a word from the wrong speaker; the correct option reflects that speaker's own statement, so track who said what.

Contrast markers in audio

Words such as aber, sondern, allerdings and trotzdem signal that the decisive information follows; the clause before them is usually background or a rejected idea.

Short-answer spelling rule

In listening Part 4 only the key word, number or name is scored, but it must be legible and correctly spelled enough to be identified unambiguously.

Reading time budget

The reading section has five parts and 20 items in about 45 minutes, which averages roughly two minutes per item including reading the source texts.

All-conditions matching

In notice and advertisement matching, an option is correct only if it satisfies every condition in the situation; one failed condition such as price or date eliminates it.

Question order rule

In multiple-choice reading tasks the questions follow the order of the text, so locate answers sequentially instead of scanning the whole passage repeatedly.

Verbatim distractor principle

An option that copies the text's exact wording is frequently a trap; the correct option usually paraphrases the same meaning with different vocabulary.

Gap-fill word class

Before scanning the word bank, decide whether the gap needs a noun, verb, preposition or connector; this removes most options immediately.

Exact-copy short answers

Reading Part 5 answers must be taken from the text in the form given, without paraphrase, and kept to the minimum words that answer the question.

Shared keyword strategy

A question stem and its relevant text passage normally share one or two content words; find those, then read the surrounding sentences to confirm the meaning.

Writing task proportions

Writing has a semi-formal letter of about 80 words and an opinion text of about 120 words, to be completed within roughly 45 minutes total.

Three content points

The letter task supplies three content points that must all be addressed; leaving one out limits the score even if the German is accurate and fluent.

Formal letter conventions

Formal letters use a salutation with a comma and lowercase next line, the Sie form with surname, and a closing such as Mit freundlichen Grüßen plus signature.

Informal register markers

Informal letters use du with first name, contractions and shorter clauses; mixing du and Sie in one text is a register error that raters notice.

Opinion text structure

An opinion text opens with the topic and position, develops two or three claims each with a reason or example, and closes by restating the position.

Cohesion connectors list

Connectors such as deshalb, außerdem, trotzdem, einerseits, andererseits and zusammenfassend link sentences and raise the coherence rating of a written text.

Subordinate clause verb position

After weil, dass, obwohl and other subordinating conjunctions the conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause; this is a core accuracy criterion.

Underlength penalty

Falling well below the required word count, roughly more than 20 percent short, costs content points; exceeding the count adds errors without extra credit.

Speaking exam duration

The speaking section is taken in pairs, lasts about 15 minutes and has three parts: introduction, picture or topic description, and joint planning.

Picture description prepositions

Describing a picture uses location phrases such as im Vordergrund, im Hintergrund, links and rechts, with present tense verbs and a closing comment.

Joint planning phrases

In the planning task, make proposals with Ich schlage vor and respond with Das ist eine gute Idee, aber to show negotiation rather than monologue.

Interaction scoring

Raters credit asking the partner questions and reacting to their answers; ignoring the partner or speaking only in monologue lowers the interaction result.

Speaking rating criteria

Speaking is rated on task fulfilment, coherence, vocabulary range, and grammatical accuracy together with pronunciation; fluency is not scored as a separate criterion.

Repair phrases for gaps

Phrases like Wie bitte?, Können Sie das wiederholen? and Moment, ich überlege kurz keep the turn alive; a short hesitation costs less than silence.

Paraphrase instead of switching

When a German word is missing, describe it in German, for example das Ding, mit dem man schreibt, rather than switching to English or stopping.

Introduction answer length

In the introduction, answer with a full sentence plus a brief reason or detail; single-word answers give the raters little language to assess.

Reading Part 3 elimination

When matching advertisements to requirements, cross out each ad as soon as one hard condition fails, such as price, date, location or opening hours.

Listening note-taking timing

The recording is not paused for you, so write answers during playback and use the pause after each item to read the next task's options.

Verb-second in main clauses

In a German main clause the conjugated verb occupies the second position, so if a time or reason phrase comes first, the subject follows the verb.