Goethe-Zertifikat C2 · Hören
MatchingDistinguishing positions

Goethe C2 Listening Part 2 – Conversation

In Part 2 you hear a conversation and match each opinion: Person 1, Person 2 or both. You hear only once. Here’s how to distinguish the positions.

As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format

5
Tasks
20
Points

Key takeaways

  • You hear a conversation between two people and match 5 opinions: Person 1, Person 2 or both.
  • You hear the conversation only once. Note the positions.

What this part tests

Part 2 tests whether you grasp and distinguish the positions precisely in a natural conversation between two people. You decide for five opinion statements whether they come from only one person (Person 1 or Person 2) or whether both agree.

It’s about grasping exactly who means what and whether the second person agrees or disagrees. The statements are paraphrased. Importantly, you hear the conversation only once, so you must think along from the start.

The difficulty: in a lively conversation the speakers change quickly, and agreement is often only hinted at. Note who holds which position. Every correct match scores points; wrong answers are not penalized.

What you practice:Understanding conversationsDistinguishing positionsRecognizing agreement

How to approach it

  1. 1

    Before listening, read all five opinion statements and mark key words.

  2. 2

    At the start, note who is Person 1 and who is Person 2.

  3. 3

    Listen to the conversation and note who holds which opinion.

  4. 4

    Watch whether the other person agrees (then “both”) or not.

  5. 5

    Mark right away, because you hear only once.

Example task with answer

A short example in the same format: match the opinion to the right speaker.

Du hörst (sinngemäß)

Sylvia: „Ich finde, die Einrichtung zeigt vor allem die Lebenssituation eines Menschen." Markus: „Da bin ich nicht ganz deiner Meinung – ich glaube, oft bestimmt die Industrie, was wir schön finden."

Who thinks the choice of furnishing style is strongly determined by industry? (a) nur Sylvia (only Sylvia) · (b) nur Markus (only Markus)

Answer: b

Why? Markus says “oft bestimmt die Industrie, was wir schön finden” (industry often determines what we find beautiful). Sylvia, by contrast, emphasizes the life situation. The opinion comes only from Markus.

Practice: test yourself

Du hörst (sinngemäß) ein Gespräch zwischen Sylvia und Markus über Einrichtungsstile. Markus sagt: „Ich finde, an der Einrichtung kann man gut erkennen, was für ein Mensch jemand ist." Sylvia stimmt zu: „Ja, und auch, wie er zur Gesellschaft steht."

Who thinks that the furnishing reveals a person’s attitude?

Common mistakes

1
Confusing the speakers

In a lively conversation the speakers change quickly. Note who is who.

2
Missing the agreement

Agreement is often only hinted at (“Mhm”, “Stimmt”). Watch whether both agree.

3
Reading disagreement as agreement

Sometimes a person picks up an opinion in order to disagree. Listen closely.

4
Leaving boxes blank

No answer means a guaranteed zero. Match every opinion.

Tips

  • At the start, note who is Person 1 and who is Person 2.
  • Watch for agreement signals that indicate “both”.
  • Practice listening to natural conversations with exchange of opinions.

Frequently asked questions

How many tasks does listening Part 2 have?

Five matching tasks: you match each opinion to Person 1, Person 2 or both.

Do I hear the conversation twice?

No, only once. Note from the start who holds which position.

When do I mark “both”?

When both speakers hold the same opinion – even if the agreement is only hinted at.

What’s the best way to practice Part 2?

Listen to conversations with exchange of opinions and practice matching the positions. In a Prepliq mock you practice this with instant scoring.

Other parts

Useful resources

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