The Listening module is part of the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 exam. Here you’ll find the structure, tasks, exercises and a clear strategy for each of the four parts.
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Key takeaways
Listening is one of the four modules of the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 exam. You hear different everyday texts – announcements and messages, a radio show, a conversation and an interview – and solve tasks about them. In total that’s 20 tasks in four parts. You have around 30 minutes for it.
At its core it’s about understanding simple information: who speaks, what happened, when and where? You don’t have to understand every word, just recognize the important information. You hear some texts twice, others only once.
The four parts call for different listening styles: in Part 1 you hear short announcements and choose from three answers, in Part 2 you decide true/false on a radio show, in Part 3 you hear a conversation and choose from three answers, in Part 4 you decide true/false on an interview. Always read the tasks beforehand.
The texts are close to everyday life, and you hear some twice. The biggest hurdle is the speaking pace and the four different parts – very doable with listening practice.
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Announcements (MC) | Multiple choice | Understanding announcements | 5 | 5 |
| Part 2 – Radio show (T/F) | True/False | Understanding a radio show | 5 | 5 |
| Part 3 – Conversation (MC) | Multiple choice | Understanding conversations | 5 | 5 |
| Part 4 – Interview (T/F) | True/False | Understanding an interview | 5 | 5 |
Before each part you have time to read the tasks. Use it: mark key words so you can listen out for them purposefully.
The correct answer depends on the meaning. The audio often says the same thing in different words from the task.
Parts 1 and 3 are multiple choice, Parts 2 and 4 are true/false. Prepare for the task type in each part.
If a text is played twice, use the second time to check your answers and fill in any gaps.
There is no penalty for wrong answers. When unsure, decide on an answer.
Only the answer sheet is graded. Transfer your answers in good time, ideally after each part.
Try this section in the real exam format and find out how confident you are before exam day.
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In the listening part you’ll meet typical A2 audio texts:
The audio texts revolve around everyday topics. Prepare vocabulary for them:
Read this guide and do a first listening practice test with the official Modellsatz – without pressure, just to understand the structure.
Practice short announcements and messages and choosing from three answers (a/b/c).
Practice listening to a short radio show and deciding true/false.
Practice listening to a conversation and choosing from three answers.
Practice listening to an interview and deciding true/false.
Work through all four parts with audio in one go and transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
Listen again to the spots where you went wrong: what did you miss? Review your weakest part specifically.
Four parts with 20 tasks in total: Part 1 (announcements, multiple choice, 5), Part 2 (radio show, true/false, 5), Part 3 (conversation, multiple choice, 5) and Part 4 (interview, true/false, 5).
You hear some texts twice, others only once. On a second listening, check your answers.
The Listening module lasts around 30 minutes. In the Goethe-Zertifikat A2, each module is timed separately.
Parts 1 and 3 are multiple choice (three answers), Parts 2 and 4 are true/false. You mark your answers on the answer sheet.
The audio files belong to the official Goethe-Institut Modellsatz. We don’t host any audio – use the official Modellsatz or practice listening with a Prepliq mock exam.
Listen to short, simple German audio every day and practice the different task types. At Prepliq you practice listening with realistic mock exams and get instant scoring.
Practice this exam section in the official format and see what needs more attention before the real test.
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