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.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Practice the same format you’ll see on exam day, get your score against official criteria, and see where you still need work.
Free to try · No account needed
Key takeaways
Part 1 tests gist listening: you have to quickly grasp what a short audio text is about. You hear five short texts – for example announcements, short news items or voicemail messages – and decide for each whether a given statement is true or false.
It’s about the main idea, not single words. Before listening you can read the statements – use this time to mark key words. While listening you then focus on whether the statement fits the text.
The biggest danger is statements that pick up a word from the audio but don’t fit in meaning. Don’t be fooled. Every correct decision scores points; wrong answers are not penalized – so always decide.
Before listening, read all five statements and mark the key words.
Listen to the first text and focus on the overall meaning, not every word.
Compare the statement with what you heard: does the meaning fit?
Decide true or false and move straight on to the next statement.
Don’t leave any statement open – when unsure, make a decision.
Transfer your +/− answers to the answer sheet in good time.
A short example in the same format: you hear a short text and decide whether the statement is true or false.
„Guten Tag, hier ist die Praxis Dr. Klein. Ihr Termin am Donnerstag um 10 Uhr muss leider verschoben werden. Wir bieten Ihnen stattdessen Freitag um 9 Uhr an. Bitte rufen Sie zurück."
Statement: „Der Termin wird auf Freitag verschoben."
Why? In the audio the Thursday appointment is moved and Friday at 9 is offered instead. The statement restates that correctly – so it’s true.
Du hörst (sinngemäß): „Liebe Fahrgäste, der Zug nach Hamburg um 14:20 Uhr fällt heute leider aus. Wir bitten Sie, auf den nächsten Zug um 15:10 Uhr auszuweichen."
Is the statement true or false? — Aussage: „Der Zug nach Hamburg um 14:20 Uhr fährt pünktlich."
Try this section in the real exam format and find out how confident you are before exam day.
Free to try · No account needed
A shared word doesn’t make the statement true. What decides is the overall meaning.
If you get stuck on one statement, you miss the next. Decide quickly and move on.
Without knowing the statements, you listen aimlessly. Use the reading time.
No answer means a guaranteed zero. Decide even if you have to guess.
Five. You hear five short texts and decide for each statement between true and false.
No. Part 1 tests the gist – the main idea. Single details only matter in Part 2.
No. There is no penalty – decide for every statement, even when unsure.
Listen to short German texts and sum up the main idea in one sentence. In a Prepliq mock you practice this with instant scoring.
Learn 600+ of the most important telc German B1 words interactively with flashcards.
Preview and download the official telc German B1 practice test – with answers and study material.
Practice this exam part in the official format and see what needs more attention before the real test.
Free to try · No account needed