Goethe B1 Reading Part 4 – Reader Comments
In Part 4 you read reader comments and decide whether each person is for or against. Here’s how to grasp the opinion reliably.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Key takeaways
- You read 7 reader comments on a topic and decide: is the person for or against?
- Watch the opinion, not a single word.
What this part tests
Part 4 tests whether you understand opinion texts. On a topic (e.g. a current question) you read seven short reader comments. You decide for each person whether they are for or against.
It’s about grasping each person’s stance exactly. The opinion is often not in one clear sentence but emerges from judgements, examples and qualifications. Watch especially for “aber”, “trotzdem”, “zwar … aber”.
The difficulty: a person often gives a counter-argument first and then their actual opinion. Read the whole comment. Every correct decision scores points; wrong answers are not penalized.
How to approach it
- 1
Read the topic and consider what the question is about.
- 2
Read each comment in full – the opinion often comes at the end.
- 3
Watch for judgements and words like “aber”, “trotzdem”, “zwar … aber”.
- 4
Ask yourself: is the person ultimately for or against?
- 5
Don’t be fooled by a counter-argument at the start.
- 6
Decide and transfer your answer to the answer sheet.
Example task with answer
A short example in the same format: you read a comment and decide whether the person is for or against.
Thema: „Sollten Städte mehr autofreie Zonen haben?" – Kommentar: „Natürlich ist saubere Luft wichtig. Aber viele Menschen brauchen das Auto für die Arbeit. Mehr autofreie Zonen würden den Alltag nur komplizierter machen."
Is the person for or against? (a) for · (b) against
Why? The person does name clean air as an advantage, but then says the car is needed and more car-free zones would make daily life “nur komplizierter” (only more complicated). So they are against.
Practice: test yourself
Thema: „Sollen Handys in der Schule verboten werden?" Du liest (sinngemäß) einen Kommentar: „Ich verstehe, dass Handys ablenken. Aber sie gehören heute zum Lernen dazu, und ein Verbot löst das Problem nicht. Man sollte den richtigen Umgang lernen."
Is the person for or against a phone ban?
Common mistakes
A person often gives a counter-argument first and then their real opinion. Read to the end.
“Zwar …, aber …” reverses the opinion. Watch for such words.
A word from the topic says nothing about the stance. Grasp the whole opinion.
No answer means a guaranteed zero. Decide even if you have to guess.
Tips
- Read each comment in full before you decide.
- Watch for judgements and for “aber”, “trotzdem”, “zwar … aber”.
- Practice reading reader comments and forum posts.
Frequently asked questions
How many tasks does reading Part 4 have?
Seven. For seven reader comments you decide each time whether the person is for or against.
What should I watch for in Part 4?
The person’s real opinion. Often a counter-argument comes first and the stance only afterwards. Watch for “aber” and “trotzdem”.
Are wrong answers penalized?
No. There is no penalty – decide for every person.
What’s the best way to practice Part 4?
Read reader comments and practice recognizing 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.