Goethe B1 Listening (Hören) Part 4 – Radio Discussion
In Part 4 you hear a radio discussion with several people and answer multiple-choice questions. Here’s how to recognize the opinions reliably.
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Key takeaways
- You hear a radio discussion with several people and answer 8 multiple-choice tasks.
- Watch which opinion each person holds. You hear it twice.
What this part tests
Part 4 tests whether you can follow a discussion with several people – usually a host and one or two guests discussing a topic. You answer eight tasks with three options each (a, b or c).
What matters is grasping each person’s opinion and arguments exactly: who is for, who is against, with what reason? The statements are often paraphrased. You hear the discussion twice.
Wrong options often confuse the people or reproduce an opinion wrongly. Watch who says what. Every correct answer scores points; wrong answers are not penalized.
How to approach it
- 1
Before listening, read all eight tasks and mark key words.
- 2
Listen to the discussion and watch who holds which opinion.
- 3
Choose the option that reflects the opinion of the meant person.
- 4
Don’t confuse the people – note who is for and who is against.
- 5
Check your answers on the second listening.
Example task with answer
A short example in the same format: you hear an extract and choose the right option.
Moderator: „Herr Sato, brauchen wir mehr Radwege?" – Herr Sato: „Ich bin da skeptisch. Klar ist Radfahren gut, aber bei uns regnet es oft, und viele fahren trotzdem lieber mit dem Bus."
What is Herr Sato’s opinion?
- aEr ist klar für mehr Radwege.
- Er ist eher skeptisch gegenüber mehr Radwegen.
- cEr fährt selbst jeden Tag Rad.
Why? Herr Sato says “Ich bin da skeptisch” and names rain and the bus as reasons. So he is rather sceptical – that’s b.
Practice: test yourself
Du hörst (sinngemäß) eine Diskussion: Moderator: „Frau Klein, sollten Schulen später beginnen?" – Frau Klein: „Unbedingt. Studien zeigen, dass Jugendliche morgens noch müde sind und später besser lernen."
What is Frau Klein’s opinion?
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Common mistakes
With several people it’s easy to confuse who means what. Note the stances.
A person often makes several points. Grasp the overall opinion.
Without knowing the tasks you listen aimlessly. Use the reading time.
No answer means a guaranteed zero. Guess an option if you have to.
Tips
- Note briefly who is for and who is against.
- Watch for words like “ich finde”, “meiner Meinung nach”, “aber”.
- Use the second listening to check.
Frequently asked questions
How many tasks does listening Part 4 have?
Eight multiple-choice tasks (a/b/c) on a radio discussion with several people.
What should I watch for in Part 4?
Each person’s opinion – who is for, who is against, with what reason. Don’t confuse the people.
Do I hear the discussion twice?
Yes. Use the second listening to check the opinions.
What’s the best way to practice Part 4?
Listen to discussions and interviews and practice matching opinions. In a Prepliq mock you practice this with instant scoring.
Other parts
Useful resources
Learn 600+ of the most important Goethe-Zertifikat B1 words interactively with flashcards.
Preview and download the official Goethe-Zertifikat B1 practice test – with answers and study material.
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