Goethe A2 flashcards

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

Lesen Teil 1 task type

Short everyday texts such as notices, ads or emails, each followed by a multiple-choice question. The correct option restates the text's meaning in different words, so match sense rather than identical vocabulary.

Lesen Teil 2 task type

A longer article or report with several multiple-choice questions. Items follow the order of the text, so answer them by moving through the paragraphs sequentially.

Lesen Teil 3 matching task

Several short ads or notices must be matched to given situations. Each situation fits exactly one text, and some texts are distractors that match nothing.

Lesen Teil 4 richtig/falsch

Short texts followed by statements to mark as true or false. A statement is false when the text contradicts it or gives no support for it.

Negation cues in reading

Words like nicht, kein, nie, nur, außer and aber change the meaning of a sentence. Noticing them prevents choosing an option that states the opposite of the text.

Time expressions in notices

Forms such as ab, bis, geöffnet, geschlossen, montags and vormittags state when something happens. They are frequent targets of reading and listening questions about schedules.

Hören paper structure

About 30 minutes with four parts: short dialogues, a longer monologue, short announcements, and a discussion. Recordings are heard twice, so use the first pass for gist and the second for detail.

Distractor placement in Hören

In multiple-choice listening items, wrong options are often mentioned first and then corrected or rejected by the speaker, so the final statement usually carries the answer.

Number traps in listening

Prices, times and platform numbers are frequently corrected mid-sentence with constructions like nicht um acht, sondern um Viertel nach acht. Listen for the corrected value.

Pre-listening item reading

During the pause before each recording, read the questions and underline the question word: wer, wann, wo, wie viel or warum. This tells you which detail to listen for.

Announcement vocabulary

Frequent words in short public announcements include Gleis, Abfahrt, Verspätung, Eingang, Ausgang, Kasse, geschlossen and verschoben. Recognizing them speeds up matching tasks.

Answering after a missed item

If a detail is missed, choose a plausible option and continue immediately. The recording is not paused, and lingering on one item causes further items to be lost.

Schreiben paper structure

About 30 minutes with two tasks: a short private message of roughly 30 words and a semi-formal email of roughly 40 to 50 words, each with given content points.

Inhaltspunkte requirement

Each writing prompt lists content points that must all appear in the answer. Omitting one point costs marks even when the grammar and vocabulary are correct.

Formal email greeting

For unknown or official recipients use Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, or Sehr geehrte Frau plus surname. The closing is Mit freundlichen Grüßen, and Sie forms are used throughout.

Informal message greeting

For friends use Liebe or Lieber plus first name, or start directly with Hallo. Close with Viele Grüße or Bis bald, and address the reader with du and dein.

Formal email opening sentence

A standard formal opening is Ich schreibe Ihnen, weil ich einen Termin brauche. The weil clause sends the conjugated verb to the end of the clause.

Verb-second rule

In a German main clause the conjugated verb stands in second position. If a time or place expression starts the sentence, the subject moves behind the verb: Morgen fahre ich nach Berlin.

Verb-final with weil and dass

Subordinate clauses introduced by weil, dass, wenn or obwohl place the conjugated verb at the very end: Ich komme später, weil ich noch arbeite.

Modal verb sentence frame

With a modal verb, the modal is conjugated in second position and the main verb goes to the end as an infinitive: Ich muss heute noch einkaufen.

Word count in writing tasks

The stated word count is a guideline. Writing slightly above the target, roughly 35 to 55 words, leaves room to include every content point without excessive length.

Sprechen paper structure

About 15 minutes in a group of two candidates with three parts: self-introduction, asking and answering questions, and planning something together. A short introduction round with the examiner comes first.

Self-introduction content

Teil 1 cue cards prompt Name, Alter, Land, Wohnort, Sprachen, Beruf and Hobby. Answer in complete sentences, for example Ich heiße Ana und komme aus Spanien.

Forming a question

In a W-question the question word comes first and the conjugated verb second: Wann beginnt der Kurs? In a yes/no question the verb comes first: Kommst du mit?

Making a suggestion

Useful patterns for proposing a plan are Wollen wir ins Kino gehen? and Ich schlage vor, dass wir am Samstag fahren. Both invite a response from the partner.

Agreeing in a dialogue

Common agreement phrases are Das ist eine gute Idee, Einverstanden and Ja, gerne. Using them shows interaction, which is assessed alongside grammar and pronunciation.

Disagreeing politely

Polite disagreement uses Das finde ich nicht so gut or Lieber plus an alternative, for example Lieber am Abend. This keeps the negotiation going in the planning task.

Interaction in Teil 3

In the planning task, candidates must react to the partner and ask at least one question. Assessment covers interaction and fluency, not only grammatical accuracy.

Spelling your name

If asked to spell your name, use German letter names: a as ah, e as eh, i as ih, and umlauts as a-Umlaut, o-Umlaut, u-Umlaut.

Talking about hobbies

A simple pattern is In meiner Freizeit plus verb plus activity: In meiner Freizeit spiele ich Fußball. Adding gern or oft gives a natural frequency or preference detail.

Talking about work

State your profession with Ich bin plus job title, or Ich arbeite als plus job title. Add a place with bei or in plus company or city to extend the answer.

Fluency over complexity

Speaking at a steady pace with short correct sentences scores better than long sentences with broken word order. Self-correct only clear errors and keep the conversation moving.