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Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache · Modelltest · Task 5 – Weigh up & advise

TestDaF Speaking (Mündlicher Ausdruck) Task 5 – Weighing up alternatives and advising

Tips & examples for Task 5How to approach it · Example task with answer · Practice: test yourself · Common mistakes · Tips · Frequently asked questions

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Task 5 of the Oral Expression is about: weighing up alternatives and advising. Here’s how to respond to the situation correctly.

Key takeaways

  • You weigh up two alternatives and give someone advice.
  • Name pros and cons of both options and recommend one.

What this part tests

Task 5 tests whether you can weigh up two alternatives and give someone justified advice.

You name pros and cons of both options, weigh them up and recommend one at the end – with a justification.

What matters is a structured weighing up of both sides and a clear, justified piece of advice.

What you practice:Weighing up alternativesNaming pros and consAdvising

How to approach it

  1. 1

    Grasp the two alternatives.

  2. 2

    Name pros and cons of the first option.

  3. 3

    Name pros and cons of the second option.

  4. 4

    Weigh up which option prevails.

  5. 5

    Give clear, justified advice (“An deiner Stelle würde ich …”).

Example task with answer

A short example in the same format: the situation and a model answer.

Aufgabe

Eine Freundin überlegt, ob sie im Wohnheim oder in einer WG wohnen soll. Wägen Sie ab und geben Sie ihr einen Rat.

Model answer:

Answer: Beide Möglichkeiten haben ihre Vor- und Nachteile. Im Wohnheim ist die Miete meist günstiger und du wohnst nah am Campus, aber die Zimmer sind oft klein und die Wartelisten lang. In einer WG hast du mehr Kontakt und oft schönere Zimmer, allerdings ist es meist teurer. An deiner Stelle würde ich zuerst versuchen, einen Platz im Wohnheim zu bekommen, weil du dort am Anfang Geld sparst. Wenn das nicht klappt, ist eine WG eine gute Alternative.

Why? The answer weighs up both options with pros and cons and gives a clear, justified piece of advice – exactly what Task 5 expects.

Practice: test yourself

Ein Freund kann nach dem Bachelor entweder direkt einen Master beginnen oder erst ein Praktikum machen. Er fragt dich um Rat.

Which sentence weighs up and advises?

Want to see how this feels in practice?

Try this section in an exam-like format and find out how confident you are before exam day.

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Common mistakes

1
Considering only one option

Weigh up both alternatives, not just one.

2
Not advising

Recommend one option at the end with a justification.

3
Advice without justification

Justify your advice with the pros and cons.

4
Speaking too briefly

Use the speaking time to weigh up both options.

Tips

  • Name pros and cons for each option.
  • Use advice phrases like “An deiner Stelle würde ich …”.
  • Justify your advice with the weighing up.

Frequently asked questions

What do I have to do in Task 5?

Weighing up alternatives and advising. Respond to the given situation and use the suitable phrases.

How much preparation time do I have?

Only short preparation time. Quickly note keywords and a structure, then speak freely into the microphone.

Do I speak with an examiner?

No. The Oral Expression is computer-based – you speak alone into the microphone, and your answer is recorded.

What’s the best way to practice Task 5?

Practice this speech act with various situations, ideally out loud and recorded. A Prepliq mock grades your speaking automatically.

Other parts

Task 1 – Get informationTask 2 – Report & suggestTask 3 – Describe a graphicTask 4 – Take a stanceTask 6 – Graphic & hypothesesTask 7 – Take a stance (abstract)

Useful resources

Official TestDaF practice test (PDF)

Preview and download the official TestDaF practice test – with answers and study material.

Back to overview · Sprechen

Check if you’re ready for this exam part

Practice in an exam-like format with real time limits, get an assessment modelled on the official criteria, and see where you still need work.

  • Exam-like task format with real time limits
  • Assessment modelled on the official exam criteria
  • Speak with a partner
  • Detailed feedback and corrections on what you say
Practice from this part on Prepliq