Task 1 of the Oral Expression is about: getting information. Here’s how to respond to the situation correctly.
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Key takeaways
Task 1 tests whether you can ask for information purposefully in an everyday situation – for example by phone at an advice center, language school or authority.
You get a situation and some points you need information about. You formulate polite, clear questions about them.
It is one of the easier tasks. What matters is a polite opening, clear questions about all points and an appropriate tone.
Grasp the situation and the points you should ask about.
Begin with a polite greeting or opening.
Ask a clear question about each point.
Phrase it politely (“Könnten Sie mir sagen …?”).
Thank the person briefly at the end.
A short example in the same format: the situation and a model answer.
Sie möchten sich bei einer Sprachschule über einen Deutschkurs informieren. Fragen Sie nach: Beginn, Dauer und Kosten.
Model answer:
Why? The answer begins politely, asks clear questions about all three points (start, duration, cost) and ends with thanks – exactly what Task 1 expects.
Du möchtest dich bei einer Sprachschule über einen Kurs informieren.
Which sentence gets information politely?
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Ask polite questions (“Könnten Sie …?”), not demands.
Ask about all the given points – a missing point costs marks.
Form whole questions, not just keywords.
Use the speaking time and ask all questions in full.
Getting information. Respond to the given situation and use the suitable phrases.
Only short preparation time. Quickly note keywords and a structure, then speak freely into the microphone.
No. The Oral Expression is computer-based – you speak alone into the microphone, and your answer is recorded.
Practice this speech act with various situations, ideally out loud and recorded. A Prepliq mock grades your speaking automatically.
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