The Reading module is part of the written Goethe-Zertifikat A1 exam (Start Deutsch 1). Here you’ll find the structure, tasks, exercises and a clear strategy for each of the three parts.
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Key takeaways
Reading is one of the four modules of the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 exam. You read short, simple everyday texts – small letters and emails, ads and signs – and solve tasks about them. In total that’s 15 tasks in three parts. You have around 25 minutes for it.
At its core it’s about finding simple information: what is the text about? which ad fits? what does the sign mean? You don’t have to understand every word, just recognize the important information. The texts are short and close to everyday life.
The three parts have different tasks: in Part 1 you read short texts (e.g. emails) and decide true/false, in Part 2 you find the matching ad for a situation (a or b), in Part 3 you read signs and notices and again decide true/false. Practice them separately.
The texts are short and simple. The biggest hurdle is vocabulary – whoever knows the most common everyday words solves the reading confidently.
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Short texts (T/F) | True/False | Understanding short texts | 5 | 5 |
| Part 2 – Ads (a/b) | Ad matching | Comparing ads | 5 | 5 |
| Part 3 – Signs (T/F) | True/False | Understanding signs | 5 | 5 |
Read the statement or situation first. That way you know what to look for in the text and read purposefully.
Look for the important information in the text – a name, a time, a price. You don’t have to understand every word.
For ad-matching, the ad must really fit the situation. Check place, time and offer, not just one matching word.
Words like “nicht”, “kein” or “geschlossen” flip the statement. Read them carefully.
There is no penalty for wrong answers. Guess rather than leave a task open.
Only the answer sheet is graded. Transfer your answers in good time, not in the final seconds.
Try this section in the real exam format and find out how confident you are before exam day.
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In the reading part you’ll meet typical simple A1 texts:
The texts revolve around simple everyday topics. Prepare vocabulary for these areas:
Read this guide and do a first reading practice test with the official Modellsatz – without time pressure, just to understand the structure.
Practice reading short emails and deciding true/false. Read the statement first.
Practice choosing the matching ad (a or b). Check that all conditions really fit.
Practice reading signs and notices and deciding true/false.
Review the most important A1 everyday words with the word list – family, home, shopping, time.
Work through all three parts in one go in around 25 minutes and transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
Look at every mistake: which word was missing? Review your weakest part specifically.
Three parts with 15 tasks in total: Part 1 (short texts, true/false, 5), Part 2 (ad-matching a/b, 5) and Part 3 (signs, true/false, 5).
The Reading module lasts around 25 minutes. In the Goethe-Zertifikat A1, each module is timed separately.
Whether you understand simple everyday texts – short emails, ads and signs. You should find the important information, not understand every word.
No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 exam.
No. There is no penalty for guessing – so answer every task.
Read short, simple German texts regularly and practice A1 vocabulary. At Prepliq you practice reading with realistic mock exams and get instant scoring; the interactive word list helps you lock in your vocabulary.
Practice this exam section in the official format and see what needs more attention before the real test.
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