---
title: "telc B2 Listening (Hörverstehen): Exercises & Tips"
description: "Listening (Hörverstehen) in the telc German B2 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-b2/listening"
url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/listening.md"
locale: "en"
provider: "TELC"
level: "B2"
alternates:
  de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/telc-deutsch-b2/hoeren.md"
  en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/listening.md"
  fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/telc-allemand-b2/comprehension-orale.md"
  it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/telc-tedesco-b2/ascolto.md"
  es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/telc-aleman-b2/comprension-oral.md"
---

# telc German B2 – Listening (Hörverstehen)

> Listening (Hörverstehen) in the telc German B2 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).
- At B2 you hear each text only ONCE – plan around 20 minutes.

Listening is the third part of the written telc B2 exam. You hear various texts – news, an interview, 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 20 minutes for the whole listening section.

At its core it’s not about understanding every word, but about grasping the statement precisely. At B2 each text is played only once – you can’t rewind. It gets tricky because the statements are almost always paraphrased: the audio says it differently from the task. Anyone who only listens for single words falls for the distractors.

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

- Parts: 3
- Tasks: 20
- Points: 75
- Time: 20 min
- to pass: ~60 %
- Difficulty: moderate to hard (4/5)

## The parts at a glance

- [Part 1 – Gist (T/F)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/listening/part-1) — True/False · Gist · 5 Tasks · 25 Points. In Part 1 you hear five short news items 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-b2/listening/part-2) — True/False · Detail comprehension · 10 Tasks · 25 Points. In Part 2 you hear a longer interview and answer ten true/false tasks. Here’s how to catch the details.
- [Part 3 – Selective listening (T/F)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/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 specifically for the important information.

## Tips & strategy

- **Read the tasks before listening:** Before each part you have time to read the statements. Use it: mark key words so you can listen for them specifically.
- **Listen for the statement, not for words:** The correct answer depends on the meaning, not on a single word. At B2 the audio almost always says the same thing in different words from the task.
- **Only once – concentrate immediately:** At B2 each text is played only once. Concentrate from the very first second; there is no second listen.
- **Decide quickly and move on:** Don’t get stuck on a statement. Make a decision and keep listening – otherwise you miss the next piece of information.
- **Never leave a box blank:** There is no penalty for wrong answers. When unsure, decide – guess true or false rather than leaving it open.
- **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 the listening part you’ll meet typical spoken B2 texts:

- **News & radio reports** — short reports on current topics (Part 1).
- **Interviews & discussions** — a longer conversation between two or more people (Part 2).
- **Announcements** — traffic, weather, events, at the station or airport (Part 3).
- **Reports & features** — factual topics from society, work or the environment.

## Common topics

The audio texts revolve around factual and social topics. Prepare vocabulary for these areas:

- **Work & economy** — jobs, the labor market, companies
- **Society & education** — studying, living together, trends
- **Environment & science** — climate, energy, research
- **Health & lifestyle** — nutrition, sport, medicine
- **Transport & travel** — trains, flights, announcements, delays

## Free practice exercises

- [DW – Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/langsam-gesprochene-nachrichten/s-60040332) — Free German news to listen to – ideal for Part 1 on the way to B2.
- [Deutsche Welle – Learn German](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview) — Free audio texts, including B2 level for daily practice.

## 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 news items. Listen to reports and sum up each in one sentence.
- Day 3 – **Part 2 – detail:** Listen to a longer interview and focus on details. Practice spotting paraphrases – only one listen.
- Day 4 – **Part 3 – selective listening:** Train targeted listening in announcements: when, where, how much? Read the statements first and listen for the key words.
- Day 5 – **Audio & pace:** Listen to German audio daily (news, podcasts) and get used to the B2 speaking pace – without subtitles.
- Day 6 – **Full listening part under time:** Work through all three parts with audio in one go – each text only once – and transfer your +/– answers.
- Day 7 – **Analyze your mistakes:** Listen again to the spots where you went wrong: what did you mishear or misunderstand? Review your weakest part specifically.

## Are you ready?

- I can grasp the main idea of a short news item on a single listen.
- I can decide confidently between true and false for a statement.
- I recognize paraphrases – the same statement in different words.
- I can follow a longer interview and keep the arguments apart.
- I listen for time, place and numbers in announcements.
- I can finish all 20 tasks at listening pace without getting stuck.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many parts does telc B2 listening have?

Three parts with 20 tasks in total, all true/false: Part 1 (gist, 5), Part 2 (detail, 10) and Part 3 (selective listening, 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 often do I hear the texts in B2 listening?

At B2 level each text is played only once. There is no second listen – so concentrate from the start.

### How are the listening tasks structured?

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

### 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 any audio – use the official practice test or practice listening with a Prepliq mock.

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

Listen to German audio at B2 level daily and work through full listening mock tests under time – each text only once. At Prepliq you practice listening with realistic mock exams and get instant scoring.

### May I take notes during listening?

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

## Ready for the exam?

[Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2?action=start&sectionId=Listening%20Comprehension)

## Other exam parts

- [Leseverstehen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/reading)
- [Sprachbausteine](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/sprachbausteine)
- [Schriftlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/writing)
- [Mündlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/speaking)

[telc German B2 – Listening (Hörverstehen)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/listening)