telc B2 Listening Part 3 – Selective Listening
In Part 3 you hear five short announcements and decide for each statement between true and false. Listen specifically for the important information.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Key takeaways
- 5 short announcements – decide for each statement: true or false?
- You hear it only once. Listen for specific information: time, place, price.
What this part tests
Part 3 tests selective listening. You hear five short texts – usually everyday announcements such as traffic reports, weather forecasts or event notices – and decide for each whether a statement is true or false. The point is to listen specifically for exactly the information that matches the statement.
Unlike Part 1, the focus here is often on concrete details: times, places, prices or conditions. Before listening, read the statements and consider which information you need to listen for.
The texts are short and – like all parts at B2 – played only once. Concentrate from the start. A false statement often differs in just one detail (a different time, a different place). Every correct decision scores points; wrong answers are not penalized.
How to approach it
- 1
Before listening, read all five statements and underline the decisive information (time, place, price).
- 2
Listen to the announcement and focus on exactly that information.
- 3
Compare the statement with what you heard: does the detail really match?
- 4
Decide true or false – each text is played only once.
- 5
Transfer your +/– answers straight to the answer sheet.
Example task with answer
A short example in the same format: you hear a short announcement and decide whether the statement is true.
„Achtung, eine Wettermeldung: Am Nachmittag ziehen von Westen kräftige Gewitter auf. Wir empfehlen, geplante Outdoor-Veranstaltungen auf den Abend zu verschieben, wenn das Wetter sich wieder beruhigt."
Statement: “In the afternoon it’s better to postpone outdoor events.”
Why? The report recommends postponing “geplante Outdoor-Veranstaltungen auf den Abend” because of the afternoon thunderstorms. The statement restates that correctly – so it’s true.
Practice: test yourself
Du hörst (sinngemäß) eine Durchsage: „Sehr geehrte Fahrgäste, wegen Bauarbeiten fällt die Linie 7 heute zwischen Hauptbahnhof und Marktplatz aus. Wir richten einen Ersatzverkehr mit Bussen ein."
Is the statement true or false? Statement: “On one section of line 7, buses run today instead of trams.”
Common mistakes
Even a different time or place makes the statement false. Listen precisely for the concrete information.
Without knowing the statements, you don’t know what to listen for. Use the reading time.
A matching word isn’t enough. Check whether the whole statement fits the text.
Each text is played only once – concentrate immediately, not after the first sentence.
Tips
- Focus on the underlined key information in each statement.
- Watch for numbers and times – that’s usually where Part 3 is decided.
- Stay calm if you miss an announcement – focus on the next one.
Frequently asked questions
How many tasks does listening Part 3 have?
Five true/false tasks on five short announcements.
What should I watch for in Part 3?
Concrete information like time, place and price. Read the statements first so you can listen for them specifically.
How often is the text in Part 3 played?
Only once – like all parts of B2 listening. So concentrate from the start.
How do I tell true and false apart reliably?
Check whether the decisive detail really matches. You practice targeted listening with Prepliq mocks that show you the answer after each task.
Other parts
Useful resources
Learn 700+ of the most important telc German B2 words interactively with flashcards.
Preview and download the official telc German B2 practice test – with answers and study material.