Reading comprehension tests your ability to extract the main idea and locate specific facts in authentic German texts like notices, articles, and profiles. Answer in the language requested for each question, translating the relevant information when required.
Question Words and Sentence Clues
Misreading the question word means you'll search for the wrong kind of answer in the text. Check the question word first:
- Wer? asks for a person, name, or role.
- Wo? or Wohin? asks for a location or destination.
- Wann? asks for a time, day, date, or season.
- Warum? or Wieso? asks for a reason or cause.
- Was? asks for an object, activity, or event.
- Wie viel(e)? asks for a price, quantity, or number.
- Wie lange? or Wie oft? asks for duration or frequency.
When a question asks Warum, search for weil and denn because they introduce reasons. The word deshalb means 'therefore', which indicates a result; check the preceding sentence to find the actual cause.
Skimming, Scanning, and Structure
You do not need to translate an entire text word-for-word. Work systematically from the questions to the passage:
- Read the questions first to understand the context and required details.
- Skim the headline (Überschrift) and opening sentence to identify the overall topic.
- German nouns, or naming words, start with capitals. Capitals also mark sentence beginnings and polite Sie, so check the sentence.
- Start with the indicated paragraph. Check nearby sentences if you need to identify who or what is being discussed.
- Follow who says what: note each speaker's name so you don't mix up their opinions.
- For richtig/falsch questions, check every detail against the text.
Public Notices, Rules, and Everyday Details
Find a German venue’s own website or brochure; use it to check opening hours, prices and entry rules.
- Public notices often state if a facility is geöffnet (open), geschlossen (closed), or has an Eintritt frei (free admission) policy.
- Du darfst nicht means 'you must not'; du musst nicht means 'you do not have to'.
- Any rule marked verboten means an activity is banned.
- Dates use the day-month pattern with dots (04.10. means 4 October).
- Prices use commas for cents (4,50 € means €4.50).
- Restaurant menus divide items into Vorspeise (starter), Hauptgericht (main course), and Nachspeise (dessert).
Decoding Unfamiliar Words
Break down unknown vocabulary by analysing word formation and context:
- Compound nouns combine words: Sommerferien means summer holidays, from Sommer and Ferien.
- Use familiar similarities as clues: Hotel means hotel. Check the sentence because some similar-looking words have different meanings.
- Bekommen means 'receive' or 'get', not 'become'.
- Das Gymnasium means an academic secondary school, not a sports gym.
Key terms
- die Überschrift
- The headline or title of a text that signals its subject.
- der Steckbrief
- A short fact file giving key details about a person, animal, or subject.
- der Absender
- The person who sends a letter, email, or message.
- der Empfänger
- The person who receives a letter, email, or message.
- die Öffnungszeiten
- The opening hours or operating times of a venue or service.
- das Angebot
- A special offer, activity range, or service deal.
Check yourself
What kind of information does the question word 'Wann?' require?
A time, date, day, or season (When).
A sign outside a gallery reads: 'Eintritt frei'. True or false: Visitors must pay admission.
False (admission is free).
What is the English meaning of the false friend 'bekommen'?
To get or receive.
How do you translate the price '8,50 €' into an English answer?
€8.50.