PSEB Class 12 German cheat sheet

Skim the text first for global meaning (title, first/last sentences of paragraphs) before answering detail questions.

True/False/Not mentioned: if the information is not explicitly stated or clearly implied, mark 'not mentioned' (nicht im Text).

For matching headings, identify the main idea of each paragraph; do not match on a single repeated word.

For multiple-choice, eliminate options that are too absolute (immer, nie, alle) unless the text supports them.

Pay attention to negation and contrast markers: nicht, kein, sondern, jedoch, trotzdem, obwohl.

Inference questions: the answer must follow logically from the text, not from general knowledge.

For gap-fill summaries, use grammatical clues (article, preposition, verb form) to choose the correct option.

Time management: allocate about 20 minutes to the reading section; answer easier questions first.

Formal letter/email structure: Anrede (Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, / Sehr geehrte Frau …, / Sehr geehrter Herr …), Einleitung, Hauptteil, Schluss (Mit freundlichen Grüßen), Unterschrift.

Informal letter/email: Liebe/Lieber …, Hallo …, Schluss: Liebe Grüße / Viele Grüße / Bis bald.

Use connectors to link ideas: zuerst, dann, danach, außerdem, deshalb, trotzdem, obwohl, weil, denn, sondern.

For opinion essays (Erörterung): state opinion in introduction, give 2–3 arguments with examples, acknowledge counterargument, conclude with restated opinion.

Vary sentence structure: use subordinate clauses (weil, dass, obwohl, wenn), infinitive constructions (um … zu, ohne … zu), and relative clauses.

Check verb placement: in main clauses verb second; in subordinate clauses verb final; in yes/no questions verb first.

Use appropriate register: Sie-form for formal, du-form for informal; avoid slang in formal writing.

Proofread for common errors: subject-verb agreement, case after prepositions, tense consistency, capitalization of nouns.

Definite articles: der/die/das/die (Plural); indefinite: ein/eine/ein/eine (Plural: keine).

Four cases: Nominativ (subject), Akkusativ (direct object), Dativ (indirect object), Genitiv (possession).

Prepositions with fixed case: mit, nach, bei, seit, von, zu, aus + Dativ; durch, für, gegen, ohne, um + Akkusativ.

Two-way prepositions (an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen): Akkusativ for motion/direction, Dativ for location.

Verb conjugation present tense: stem + endings (-e, -st, -t, -en, -t, -en); stem-changing verbs (a→ä, e→i/ie) in du/er/sie/es.

Perfect tense: haben or sein + past participle; sein with motion/change-of-state verbs and sein/bleiben/werden.

Adjective endings: weak (after definite article), mixed (after indefinite), strong (no article); agree in gender, number, case.

Word formation: nouns from verbs (-ung), adjectives from nouns (-lich, -ig), compounds (noun + noun, gender from last element).

PSEB Class 12 German textbook units typically cover themes like travel, environment, media, relationships, and future plans.

Know key vocabulary for each theme: die Umwelt, der Umweltschutz, die Medien, die Beziehung, die Zukunft, der Beruf.

Be familiar with grammar progression: passive voice, subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) for hypotheticals, relative clauses, infinitive with zu.

Passive voice: werden + past participle; agent with von + Dativ; impersonal passive in scientific/formal texts.

Konjunktiv II: würde + infinitive for polite requests/hypotheticals; hätte, wäre, könnte for common forms.

Relative clauses: relative pronoun agrees with antecedent in gender/number, case determined by function in clause.

Text comprehension: identify text type (report, interview, advertisement, letter) and its purpose.

Practice summarizing main points in own words; do not copy sentences from the text.

Translate meaning, not word-for-word; adapt idioms and sentence structure to target language.

For German→English: watch for compound nouns, separable verbs, and modal particles (doch, mal, ja) that may need paraphrasing.

For English→German: decide on formal/informal register; use Sie or du consistently.

Check tense: German present often corresponds to English present progressive; German perfect to English simple past/present perfect.

Composition structure: clear introduction, body paragraphs with topic sentences, conclusion; use linking words.

Avoid literal translations of false friends: also (so), bald (soon), bekommen (receive), Gift (poison), Rat (advice).

Use varied vocabulary and complex sentences to demonstrate range; keep grammar accurate.

Proofread for capitalization of nouns, verb agreement, and correct case after prepositions.