In Part 1 you match the right heading to five short texts. Here’s how the part is built – and how to avoid the typical traps.
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Key takeaways
Part 1 tests gist reading: you have to quickly grasp what a short text is essentially about. You read five short items – for example from a newspaper, magazine or website – and choose the matching heading for each text from ten options in total.
Two of the ten headings fit no text, and each heading may be used only once. It’s not about details or single words, but about the main idea of the whole text. If you skim fluently and can sum up the core in one sentence, you’ll handle this part confidently.
The biggest danger is distractors: headings that pick up a word from the text but don’t fit its meaning. Don’t be fooled – always check the overall statement. Every correct match scores points; wrong answers are not penalized, so don’t leave any box blank.
Read the text first – not the headings yet. That way you form your own view of the topic before the options distract you.
Sum up each text in one keyword, e.g. “home office” or “electric cars”.
Now look for the heading that fits your keyword. Focus on the main idea, not on single words.
Cross out each heading you’ve assigned so the pool gets smaller.
Do the sure matches first and leave the difficult ones for the end.
At the end, enter an answer for every text – even when guessing, because wrong answers carry no penalty.
A short example in the same format: match each text to the right heading.
Immer mehr Menschen in Deutschland arbeiten von zu Hause. Laut einer neuen Umfrage möchte fast die Hälfte aller Angestellten mindestens zwei Tage pro Woche im Homeoffice bleiben.
Die Stadt Freiburg hat in diesem Sommer 30 neue Ladestationen für Elektroautos eröffnet. Bis zum nächsten Jahr soll sich ihre Zahl noch verdoppeln.
Headings: (a) Homeoffice wird für viele zur Normalität · (b) Neue Regeln für Autofahrer · (c) Freiburg baut das Netz für Elektroautos aus · (d) Weniger Menschen pendeln mit dem Zug
Why? Text 1 says that working from home is becoming normal (a). Text 2 reports the expansion of charging stations (c). Options (b) and (d) contain “car/transport” words but miss the main idea – those are the distractors.
In vielen deutschen Städten gibt es jetzt Leihräder, die man per App ausleihen kann. Besonders junge Menschen nutzen das Angebot, um kurze Strecken schnell und günstig zurückzulegen.
Which heading fits best?
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If “Bahn” appears in the text and in a heading, that’s not yet the answer. Always check the overall statement.
Part 1 rewards quick skimming, not understanding every word. Reading word by word costs time.
Each heading fits only one text. Cross out headings you’ve used.
No answer means a guaranteed zero. Enter an answer even if you have to guess.
Five. You match each of five texts to one heading out of ten options; two headings are left over.
No. Part 1 is the quickest part. Work briskly and save time for Parts 2 and 3, which need more attention. The best way to build your sense of timing is a full Prepliq mock exam.
No. There is no penalty for guessing – so answer every task.
Choose the one that captures the main idea of the whole text. Often a heading only fits a detail – the correct one sums up the core of the text.
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