Goethe Test B1- reading comprehension
Goethe Test B1 is a key exam for German learners, but it is definitely not an easy exam. First, the exam is quite long and complex. Second, many German learners make the mistake of taking the Goethe Test B1 without having taken another exam before.
The B1 Goethe Test begins with the Reading module, for which you have 65 minutes. How you allocate your time is up to you.
Part 1
This part consists of a text of up to 350 words. The test taker must answer six true/false questions on this text. This text usually concerns a blog post.
Part 2 und 3
In both parts, there is always a text from the press, and each text has three multiple-choice questions.
The two texts are quite similar in length and complexity. The advantage is that if a text seems unfamiliar or strange to the candidate, they only lose 3 points and no more. Furthermore, these parts build on Part 1 of A2 Goethe exam and prepare the candidate for Goethe exam B2 Reading Part 3. Parallels to Telc test B1 Part 2 can be drawn between these two parts.
Part 4
In this part of the B1 Goethe Test, the candidate must be able to match 7 different people in 7 different situations to the appropriate advertisement from 9 advertisements. This part is challenging for several reasons. First, there are similarities between the situations, and second, there are similarities between the advertisements themselves, because most situations usually address a topic, meaning they are closely related and their processing requires separate attention. Second, there is no suitable advertisement for a person or situation. This makes matching extremely difficult.
Technique
1. In the first step, read the situations carefully and identify the key words that differentiate them.
2. In the second step, skim through the advertisements and identify the key words there as well. Don’t be surprised if you can already match the words while skimming.
3. In the third step, read the situations you haven’t yet matched.
4. In the fourth step, read the remaining ads and match them.
5. Only at the end can you match a situation to a non-advertisement; mark an X.
If you are taking a regular exam, use several markers of different colors to complete the task. Highlight the keywords in each situation and the keywords in the ads. It’s best to use several colors, one for each situation. If you come across a keyword while skimming, highlight it. This technique makes matching much easier and saves you time.
This part contains certain similarities and differences to A2 Goethe exam Part 4 and Telc A2 Test Part 3; in Goethe and Telc A2 Test, you only have 5 situations and 7 ads, while in B1, you have 7 people and 9 ads. Furthermore, the ads in Goethe Test B1 are significantly longer and contain more details. In the B1 and A2 Goethe exams, there is no possible indication for a situation. Therefore, preparation for B1 begins in A2.
Part 5
The task in this part is completely new. It does not exist in either Goethe A2 or Telc A2. Here, seven people express their opinion or take a position on a specific topic. The test taker must determine how each person views the topic, based on a question in the introduction. Are they for or against something? Example: Is the person in favor of speed limits on German highways? This part is relevant and prepares you for Part 4 of the Goethe exam B2.
Pay attention to the following expressions:
| Ich bin dafür/dagegen. | Es spricht dafür/dagegen, dass…… |
| Ich stehe gegen/ für etwas | Ich halte etwas für sinnlos/falsch/sinnvoll/richtig |
| Ich stimme etwas (nicht) zu. | Das sehe ich genauso/anders. |
| Ich kann etwas/das nicht verstehen/einsehen. | Es stört mich, dass …….. |
| Ich finde etwas stressig/verrückt/nervig. | Ich ärgere mich über …. /darüber, dass …. |
| Ich freue mich auf / darauf, dass…. | ……… macht mich glücklich/zufrieden etc. |
| Ich habe (kein)Verständnis für etwas. | das sehe ich anders. Ich bin überzeugt. |
| Meiner Meinung nach …. | Das (Argument) zählt nicht/ ist sinnlos/ …. |
Part 6
This part deals with internal regulations, statutes, instructions for use, etc., where certain rules and regulations must be observed. You will have to answer four multiple choice questions. The text usually contains several paragraphs with different subheadings, allowing you to quickly see where you can find the answer to each question.
This part has significant similarities to Part 5 of Goethe exam B2.
Summary
In the reading module of the Goethe Test B1, Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 are not new, but appear in A2. Only the scope is slightly larger than in A2 Goethe exam. In Parts 5 and 6, the tasks are completely new and require extra practice. These two parts, along with Parts 2 and 3, have significant parallels to Goethe B2.
Time management is extremely important, as candidates who take an exam for the first time usually encounter difficulties. Course participants who have taken the A2 level or have prepared for it encounter fewer difficulties or can pass the exam after repeated practice.
Here are links to free German model tests:
free model tests A1 Goethe │ free model tests A1 Telc
free model tests A2 Goethe │ free model tests A2 Telc
