---
title: "Goethe B1 Reading Part 4: Reader Comments (For/Against)"
description: "Reading Part 4 of the Goethe-Zertifikat B1: read 7 reader comments and decide whether each person is for or against. Strategy, common mistakes and a worked example."
canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading/part-4"
url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading/part-4.md"
locale: "en"
provider: "Goethe"
level: "B1"
alternates:
  de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/goethe-zertifikat-deutsch-b1/leseverstehen/teil-4.md"
  en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading/part-4.md"
  fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/goethe-zertifikat-allemand-b1/comprehension-ecrite/partie-4.md"
  it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/goethe-zertifikat-tedesco-b1/lettura/parte-4.md"
  es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/goethe-zertifikat-aleman-b1/lectura/parte-4.md"
---

# Goethe B1 Reading Part 4 – Reader Comments

> Reading Part 4 of the Goethe-Zertifikat B1: read 7 reader comments and decide whether each person is for or against. Strategy, common mistakes and a worked example.

## 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.

- Task type: For/Against
- Focus: Understanding opinions

## 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.

**What you practice:** Grasping opinions, Recognizing judgements, Deciding for/against

## 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.

**Du liest (sinngemäß):** 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
  - Answer: b — 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?
  - a) dafür (for a ban)
  - b) dagegen (against a ban)
  - Answer: b — The person does say phones distract, but “ein Verbot löst das Problem nicht” and one should learn the right use. So they are against a ban – dagegen. The “aber” shows the real opinion.

## Common mistakes

- **Listening to the first argument:** A person often gives a counter-argument first and then their real opinion. Read to the end.
- **Missing the “aber”:** “Zwar …, aber …” reverses the opinion. Watch for such words.
- **Same word, wrong opinion:** A word from the topic says nothing about the stance. Grasp the whole opinion.
- **Leaving boxes blank:** 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.

## Ready for the exam?

[Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1?action=start&sectionId=Reading%20Comprehension)

[Goethe B1 Reading Part 4 – Reader Comments](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/reading/part-4)