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German K–12

Multiple Choice Section

Test Format and Sample Questions

The German K to 12 subject area test is composed of two subtests. Subtest 1 assesses listening, reading, and writing skills as well as knowledge of the culture of German-speaking countries, the mechanics of the German language, and the teaching of German. Subtest 2, an oral interview, measures speaking skills. You must pass both subtests to receive a passing score on the exam. If you fail one, you may retake only that subtest.

Multiple Choice

This part of the test consists of multiple-choice items. Read the question, select the best answer, and indicate your choice by selecting A, B, C, or D.

The table below presents types of questions on the exam and directs you to examples of these formats among the sample items that follow.

Table of Question Formats

Question Format Sample Items
Reading comprehension and vocabulary
Select the response option that best identifies, summarizes, or translates a short passage.
Item 5
Language structures and linguistics
Choose the response option that best completes a sentence or identifies a feature of German linguistic structures.
Item 14
Culture
Choose the response option that identifies features of the culture, arts and literature, history, geography, and socioeconomic and political institutions of Germany. Identify the relationships among the perspectives, products, and practices of the culture studied.
Item 42
Pedagogy
Choose the response option that best identifies methods, materials, and technologies used for teaching German or provides the best recommendation for a specific teaching situation.
Item 49

Sample Questions

The following questions represent both the form and content of questions on the examination. These questions will acquaint you with the general format of the examination; however, these sample questions do not cover all of the competencies and skills that are tested and will only approximate the degree of examination difficulty.


Question 4

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 4—Ability to read at an advanced level German passages on a variety of personal, social, and general topics

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage and select the correct response.

Jugendherbergen sind nicht-kommerzielle Freizeiteinrichtungen, die allen Jugendlichen offenstehen. Sie fördern das gegenseitige Kennenlernen sowie die Toleranz gegenüber anderen Weltanschauungen und Gewohnheiten. Sie haben sich zu Stätten internationaler Begegnung entwickelt.

From G. Winkler, Komm Mit! (Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Austin, 2000), 32.

Was ist der Hauptvorteil von Jugendherbergen gemäß diesem Abschnitt?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 5

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 4—Ability to read at an advanced level German passages on a variety of personal, social, and general topics

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage and select the correct response.

Das Sprichwort "Arbeit macht das Leben süß" ist nicht mehr die Norm für die deutsche Haltung zur Arbeit. Die Deutschen finden Zeit für Hobbys und Familie von größerer Bedeutung als viel Geld zu verdienen. Nach einer Umfrage der Zeitschrift Stern (1993) sind für junge Leute ein gutes Arbeitsklima und eine sinnvolle Tätigkeit auch wichtiger als Karriere zu machen.

From Moeller, Liedloff, Adolph, Mabee, eds, Kaleidoskop (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1998).

Bestimmen Sie den Leitgedanken dieses Absatzes.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 6

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 4—Ability to read at an advanced level German passages on a variety of personal, social, and general topics

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage and select the correct response.

Vor einiger Zeit führte ein Fernsehsender folgenden Test durch: Zwei Familien erklärten sich bereit, vier Wochen lang ohne Fernsehen zu leben. In der einen Familie wussten die Leute einfach nicht mehr, was sie ohne Fernseher anfangen sollten. Sie saßen da und starrten sich an. Sie hatten vergessen, wie man sich unterhält, wie man sich amüsiert. Sie langweilten sich zu Tode. In der anderen Familie fing man an zu reden. Man erzählte sich Witze und Geschichten. Die Familie hörte jetzt Musik, machte Spiele, sie luden wieder Freunde ein. - Nach vier Wochen bekamen beide Familien ihren Fernseher wieder. Das Ergebnis: Die eine Familie sitzt jetzt nach wie vor jeden Abend vor dem Bildschirm, die andere Familie macht jetzt lieber etwas zusammen, anstatt automatisch den Fernseher einzuschalten.

From G. Winkler, Komm Mit! (Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000), 116.

Welche Aussage unterstützt die Hauptidee?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 7

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 4—Ability to read at an advanced level German passages on a variety of personal, social, and general topics

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage and select the correct response.

In Deutschland müssen Autofahrer, die an einer Ampel bei rot weiterfahren, eine hohe Geldstrafe zahlen und dürfen einen Monat lang nicht Auto fahren. Auch Raser, die innerhalb einer Stadt mehr als 30 Stundenkilometer über die erlaubte Höchstgeschwindigkeit fahren, müssen den Führerschein für einen Monat abgeben.

From Moeller, Liedloff, Adolph, Mabee, eds. Kaleidoskop (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1998).

Welches Verhalten wird finanziell bestraft?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 8

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 5—Knowledge of German vocabulary in areas of general interest and application of vocabulary skills

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the best English equivalent of the italicized words in this context.

Hans versteht sich gut mit allen Klassenkameraden.  start italics Er kommt end italics  wirklich  start italics gut end italics  bei anderen  start italics an end italics . Alle haben ihn gern!

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 9

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 5—Knowledge of German vocabulary in areas of general interest and application of vocabulary skills

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the response which most precisely matches the meaning of the underlined word or phrase.

 start underline Die Aussichten end underline  für seinen zukünftigen Beruf sind im Moment sehr schlecht.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 10

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 5—Knowledge of German vocabulary in areas of general interest and application of vocabulary skills

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Study the following edited excerpt from a dictionary and choose the correct response.

sensitive/sensitively  left paren adjective or adverb right paren  1. sensi'tiv ('über) empfindlich. 2. sen'sibel, empfindsam, feinfühlig. 3. veränderlich, schwankend: market econ.: schwankender Markt. 4. fig. a) empfindlich, b) bes. gefährdet, exponiert: spot : empfindliche Stelle, neuralgischer Punkt; a subject: ein heikles Thema. 5. biol. chem.: empfindlich, ea'gibel (to: auf, acc). 6. electr. phys. tech.: empfindlich; to shock: stoßempfindlich. 7. phot.: lichtempfindlich. 8. physiol.: sen'sorisch, example.: sensi'tiver oder sen'sibler Mensch.

From Langenscheidts Großwörterbuch Englisch-Deutsch (used with permission).

Which German word is the best equivalent for  start italics sensitive end italics  in the following sentence?

The problem of foreign workers is a sensitive issue in Germany.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 11

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 5—Knowledge of German vocabulary in areas of general interest and application of vocabulary skills

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

A student, Mathilde, arrives in a university town and wants to rent a room. She walks through a neighborhood and sees a sign on a house window: "Room for Rent." In German, the sign would say

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 12

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 5—Knowledge of German vocabulary in areas of general interest and application of vocabulary skills

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the best German translation of the italicized phrase.

Die Soldaten  start italics hatten keine Wahl end italics . Sie wurden in den Krieg geschickt.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 13

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

Die Schwiegermutter  blank  ist aus Australien.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 14

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose an equivalent plural form to the underlined word.

Ich kann  start underline jeden end underline  Computer bedienen.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 15

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct grammatical description of the underlined phrase.

Ich habe  start underline ihrer Mutter end underline  die richtige Anschrift gegeben.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 16

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

"Wieso waren Sie gestern in der Stadt?"

"Ich musste erst einkaufen, und dann habe ich mir einen höchst  blank  Monsterfilm angesehen."

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 17

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

Jutta steht vor der Schule. Sie wartet  blank , dass ihre Mutter sie abholt.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 18

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

Ich lese ein gutes Buch. Du  blank  ein langes Buch.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 19

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

Frau Mann schenkt Thomas und Heinrich einen Fotoapparat. Was  blank  ihr für die beiden kaufen?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 20

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct verb to fill in the blank.

Gerdas Mutter ist froh, dass ihre Tochter schon seit fünf Jahren Russisch  blank .

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 21

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

Hans muss  blank  Freundin mit der Hausarbeit helfen.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 22

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct response.

Der Fernseher ist kaputt, und Sie können ihn nicht reparieren. Peter kann das, aber er ist auf einer Geschäftsreise. Was sagen Sie?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 23

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

Wenn er im Lotto gewonnen hätte, dann  blank  er seinen Job aufgeben können.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 24

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank.

Du sollst  blank  das Haar kämmen.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 25

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

Der Hund  blank  gewaschen.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 26

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct combination of forms to fill in the blanks.

Ich  blank  jeden Morgen um 8 Uhr  blank .

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 27

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

Das ist alles,  blank  ich dazu sagen möchte.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 28

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

Ein Stuhl ist ein Möbelstück,  blank  man sitzt.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 29

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank.

Er hat nicht in die Schweiz  blank  wollen.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 30

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

Ist es erlaubt, eine Freundin zu der Party  blank ?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 31

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

 blank  brav, Elke und Hans!

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 32

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct response.

Der Vater will, dass Thomas jetzt schlafen gehen soll. Was sagt der Vater?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 33

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank.

Von  blank  wurde  start italics Der geteilte Himmel end italics  geschrieben?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 34

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank.

Er hat  blank  Geld in der Tasche.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 35

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct form to fill in the blank.

Die Kinder müssen jetzt gehen, weil  blank .

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 36

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct phrase to fill in the blank.

Kannst du mir bitte mein Buch zurückbringen?
Ja, sicher, ich bringe  blank .

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 37

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 6—Knowledge of German grammar and syntax in context

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank.

Wir fliegen nicht nach Paris,  blank  nach München.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 38

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 7—Knowledge of the culture, social customs, and daily life of German-speaking countries

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

In deutschen Restaurants

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 39

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 7—Knowledge of the culture, social customs, and daily life of German-speaking countries

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

If a German, Michael Ende, happened to meet his close friend, Jörg Mayer, on the street in Germany, he would probably say,

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 40

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 7—Knowledge of the culture, social customs, and daily life of German-speaking countries

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

 S P D ist die Abkürzung für 

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 41

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 7—Knowledge of the culture, social customs, and daily life of German-speaking countries

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

What socially acceptable practice in the German-speaking world would be very unusual in the United States?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 42

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 7—Knowledge of the culture, social customs, and daily life of German-speaking countries

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Who is one of the founders of the Bauhaus?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 43

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 8—Knowledge of history and geography of German-speaking countries

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

What is the significance of the Teutoburger Wald?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 44

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 8—Knowledge of history and geography of German-speaking countries

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

The German city of Köln was founded by the

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 45

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 9—Knowledge of arts and sciences in German-speaking countries

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Choose the statement that best describes Franz Kafka's literary work.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 46

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 9—Knowledge of arts and sciences in German-speaking countries

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Which two German writers are most closely associated with the city of Weimar?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 47

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 9—Knowledge of arts and sciences in German-speaking countries

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Select the character from Das Nibelungenlied.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 48

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 9—Knowledge of arts and sciences in German-speaking countries

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Which scientist discovered rays, which were named after him, and received the Nobel Prize for physics in 1901?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 49

Multiple Choice Section

Competency 10—Pedagogy and professional knowledge

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct reponse.

Which method requires the student to use the target language from the beginning of the instruction?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.