---
title: "telc B1 Hörverstehen (Listening): Exercises & Tips"
description: "Listening (Hörverstehen) in the telc German B1 exam: all 3 parts as true/false explained – format, points, strategy and exercises. Understand every audio with confidence."
canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/listening"
url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/listening.md"
locale: "en"
provider: "TELC"
level: "B1"
alternates:
  de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/telc-deutsch-b1/hoeren.md"
  en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/listening.md"
  fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/telc-allemand-b1/comprehension-orale.md"
  it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/telc-tedesco-b1/ascolto.md"
  es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/telc-aleman-b1/comprension-oral.md"
---

# telc German B1 – Hörverstehen (Listening)

> Listening (Hörverstehen) in the telc German B1 exam: all 3 parts as true/false explained – format, points, strategy and exercises. Understand every audio with confidence.

## Key takeaways

- Listening has 3 parts with 20 tasks in total and 75 points.
- All tasks are true/false: Part 1 (gist), Part 2 (detail), Part 3 (selective).
- You hear the texts once or twice depending on the part – plan around 30 minutes.

Listening is the third part of the written telc B1 exam. You hear different texts – news, conversations, announcements – and decide for each statement whether it is true or false. In total that’s 20 tasks and 75 points in three parts. You have around 30 minutes for the whole listening section.

At its core, it’s not about understanding every word but about grasping the meaning. The texts are played once or twice depending on the part. It gets tricky because the statements are usually paraphrased: the audio says it differently than the task. If you only listen for single words, you fall for the distractors.

The three parts call for three listening styles: in Part 1 you grasp the main idea of short texts (gist), in Part 2 you listen closely to a longer text (detail), in Part 3 you listen for specific information in short announcements (selective). Always read the statements before the audio starts.

- Parts: 3
- Tasks: 20
- Points: 75
- Time: 30 min
- to pass: ~60 %
- Difficulty: moderate (3/5)

## The parts at a glance

- [Part 1 – Gist (T/F)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/listening/part-1) — True/False · Gist listening · 5 Tasks · 25 Points. In Part 1 you hear five short texts and decide for each statement whether it’s true or false. Here’s how to grasp the main idea reliably.
- [Part 2 – Detail (T/F)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/listening/part-2) — True/False · Detail comprehension · 10 Tasks · 25 Points. In Part 2 you hear a longer text – often an interview or report – and answer ten true/false tasks. Here’s how to catch the details.
- [Part 3 – Selective (T/F)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/listening/part-3) — True/False · Selective listening · 5 Tasks · 25 Points. In Part 3 you hear five short announcements and decide for each statement between true and false. Listen on purpose for the important information.

## Tips & strategy

- **Read the statements before listening:** Before each part you get time to read the statements. Use it: mark the key words so you can listen for them on purpose.
- **Listen for meaning, not words:** The right answer depends on the meaning, not on a single word. Often the audio says the same thing in different words than the task.
- **Decide quickly and move on:** Don’t get stuck on one statement. Make a decision and keep listening – otherwise you miss the next piece of information.
- **Use the second listen:** If a text is played twice, use the second time to check your answers and fill the gaps you left open the first time.
- **Never leave a box blank:** There’s no penalty for wrong answers. When unsure, decide – guess true or false.
- **Transfer to the answer sheet:** Only the answer sheet is graded. Transfer your +/− answers in good time, ideally right after each part.

## Common listening situations

In listening you’ll meet typical spoken texts:

- **Announcements** — at the station, airport or in a shop.
- **Phone calls & voicemail** — appointments, cancellations, messages on the answering machine.
- **Radio items & news** — short reports and bulletins.
- **Interviews & everyday conversations** — talks about work, leisure or travel.

## Common topics

The audio texts revolve around everyday topics. Prepare vocabulary for them:

- **Work & career** — appointments, colleagues, job applications
- **Housing** — flat hunting, neighbors, repairs
- **Travel & transport** — trains, flights, announcements, delays
- **Health** — doctor, pharmacy, appointments
- **Leisure & media** — events, courses, radio

## Free practice exercises

- [Deutsche Welle – Learn German](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview) — Free listening texts with audio at B1 level for daily practice.
- [Nicos Weg B1 (Deutsche Welle)](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/nicos-weg/c-36519718) — Free online course with videos and listening exercises at B1 level.

## 1-week study plan

- Day 1 – **Learn the format:** Read this guide and do a first official listening practice test with audio – no pressure, just to understand the structure.
- Day 2 – **Part 1 – gist:** Practice grasping the main idea of short audio texts. Listen to short news items and sum them up in one sentence.
- Day 3 – **Part 2 – detail:** Listen to a longer text (interview, report) and focus on details. Practice spotting paraphrases.
- Day 4 – **Part 3 – selective listening:** Practice listening for specifics in announcements: when, where, how much? Read the statements first and listen for the key words.
- Day 5 – **Audio & pace:** Listen to short German audio every day (e.g. slowly spoken news) and get used to the speaking speed.
- Day 6 – **Full listening part under time:** Work through all three parts with audio in one go and transfer your +/− answers to an answer sheet.
- Day 7 – **Analyze your mistakes:** Re-listen to the spots of your mistakes: what did you miss or misunderstand? Review your weakest part specifically.

## Are you ready?

- I grasp the main idea of a short audio text on first listen.
- I confidently decide between true and false for a statement.
- I recognize paraphrases – the same statement in different words.
- I listen for time, place and numbers in announcements.
- I don’t let single words mislead me.
- I can keep up with all 20 tasks at listening speed, without getting stuck.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many parts does telc B1 listening have?

Three parts with 20 tasks in total, all true/false: Part 1 (gist, 5), Part 2 (detail, 10) and Part 3 (selective, 5).

### How many points are there in the listening part?

You can earn 75 points in listening. It therefore contributes a large share of the written exam.

### How are the listening tasks structured?

All tasks are true/false statements. On the answer sheet you mark plus (+) for true and minus (–) for false.

### How often do I hear the texts?

It depends on the part: some texts are played once, others twice. On a second play you should check your answers.

### Where do I find the audio (MP3)?

The audio files belong to the official practice test; telc offers them as MP3. We don’t host audio – use the official practice test or practice listening with a Prepliq mock.

### What’s the best way to practice listening?

Listen to short German audio every day and work through full listening mock tests under time. At Prepliq you practice listening with realistic mock exams and get instant scoring.

### Can I take notes during listening?

Yes, you may take notes on the task sheet. Only the answer sheet is graded, though – transfer your answers in good time.

## Ready for the exam?

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

## Other exam parts

- [Leseverstehen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/reading)
- [Sprachbausteine](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/sprachbausteine)
- [Schriftlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/writing)
- [Mündlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/speaking)

[telc German B1 – Hörverstehen (Listening)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/listening)