Goethe A2 Reading Part 4 – Opinions
In Part 4 you read short opinions and decide for each statement between true and false. Here’s how to grasp the opinion reliably.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Key takeaways
- You read short opinions from several people and decide for 5 statements: true or false?
- Watch what each person says exactly – the opinion, not a single word.
What this part tests
Part 4 tests whether you understand short opinion texts – often several people comment on a topic. You decide for five statements whether they match an opinion (true) or not (false).
It’s about grasping each person’s stance exactly: do they find something good or bad? which aspect do they emphasize? The statement is often paraphrased, not literal.
A false statement often picks up a word from the opinion but reproduces it wrongly, or reverses the stance. Watch for “aber”, “leider” and judgements. Every correct decision scores points; wrong answers are not penalized.
How to approach it
- 1
Read the statement first and consider which opinion it describes.
- 2
Read the opinion and watch for the person’s stance (good/bad, aber/leider).
- 3
Compare the statement with the opinion: is it really correct?
- 4
Watch for qualifications – a person can find something partly good.
- 5
Decide and transfer your answer to the answer sheet.
Example task with answer
A short example in the same format: you read an opinion and decide whether the statement is true.
„Ich arbeite gern im Homeoffice, weil ich mir die Zeit selbst einteilen kann. Nur den Kontakt zu den Kollegen vermisse ich."
Statement: “This person doesn’t like working from home.”
Why? The person says “Ich arbeite gern im Homeoffice” (I like working from home). The statement claims the opposite – so it’s false. The missing contact is only a side point.
Practice: test yourself
Du liest (sinngemäß) eine Meinung: „Ich finde Onlineshopping praktisch, weil ich keine Zeit habe, in Geschäfte zu gehen. Aber ich vermisse manchmal die Beratung im Laden."
Is the statement true or false? Statement: “This person likes shopping online but misses the advice.”
Common mistakes
“praktisch, aber …” – a person can find something partly good, partly bad. Read carefully.
A word from the opinion doesn’t make the statement right. Grasp the whole stance.
Watch whether the person really finds something good or bad. “aber” and “leider” change the statement.
No answer means a guaranteed zero. Decide even if you have to guess.
Tips
- Watch for judgements and words like “aber”, “leider”, “zum Glück”.
- Grasp the whole opinion, not just a word.
- Practice reading short opinion texts and forum posts.
Frequently asked questions
How many tasks does reading Part 4 have?
Five true/false tasks on short opinions.
What should I watch for in Part 4?
Each person’s stance and qualifications like “aber” or “leider”. Grasp the whole opinion, not just a word.
Does the statement appear word for word in the text?
Often not. It’s usually paraphrased. Watch for the meaning of the opinion.
What’s the best way to practice Part 4?
Read short opinion texts and practice grasping judgements. In a Prepliq mock you practice this with instant scoring.
Other parts
Useful resources
Learn 500+ of the most important Goethe-Zertifikat A2 words interactively with flashcards.
Preview and download the official Goethe-Zertifikat A2 practice test – with answers and study material.