B1 German Grammar

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In the B1 TELC exam, using a variety of connectors is important to structure

your speech and writing well. There are three main groups of connectors:
coordinating (Group 1), subordinating (Group 2), and two-part (Group 3)
connectors. Below are examples for each group, with translations and
explanations.

Group 1: Coordinating Conjunctions (Konjunktionen)


Coordinating conjunctions do not affect word order. The main clause word order
remains the same.
1. und (and)
o Ich lerne Deutsch, und ich gehe oft in die Bibliothek.

 I am learning German, and I often go to the library.


2. aber (but)
o Ich wollte ins Kino gehen, aber ich hatte keine Zeit.

 I wanted to go to the cinema, but I didn’t have time.


3. oder (or)
o Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee trinken?

 Do you want to drink tea or coffee?


4. denn (because)
o Ich gehe heute früh ins Bett, denn ich muss morgen früh
aufstehen.
 I am going to bed early today because I have to get up early
tomorrow.
5. sondern (but rather/instead)
o Er fährt nicht mit dem Auto, sondern mit dem Fahrrad.

 He is not driving a car, but rather riding a bike.

Group 2: Subordinating Conjunctions (Nebensätze)


Subordinating conjunctions send the verb to the end of the clause.
1. weil (because)
o Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin.

 I am staying home because I am sick.


2. dass (that)
o Ich hoffe, dass ich die Prüfung bestehe.
 I hope that I will pass the exam.
3. wenn (if, when)
o Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause.

 If it rains, we will stay home.


4. obwohl (although)
o Obwohl er müde war, ging er zur Arbeit.

 Although he was tired, he went to work.


5. damit (so that)
o Ich lerne viel, damit ich die Prüfung bestehe.

 I study a lot so that I pass the exam.


6. während (while)
o Während ich koche, hört meine Tochter Musik.

 While I cook, my daughter listens to music.


7. als (when, past tense)
o Als ich in Berlin war, habe ich viele Museen besucht.

 When I was in Berlin, I visited many museums.


8. bevor (before)
o Bevor wir essen, müssen wir den Tisch decken.

 Before we eat, we need to set the table.


9. nachdem (after)
o Nachdem er das Buch gelesen hatte, ging er ins Bett.

 After he read the book, he went to bed.

Group 3: Two-Part Connectors (Zweiteilige Konnektoren)


These connectors usually come in pairs and are used to show contrast,
conditions, or sequences. The second clause generally follows a reversed or
normal word order depending on the structure.
1. entweder ... oder (either ... or)
o Entweder gehe ich heute ins Fitnessstudio, oder ich mache
einen Spaziergang.
 Either I go to the gym today, or I take a walk.
2. weder ... noch (neither ... nor)
o Ich habe weder Zeit noch Geld, um in den Urlaub zu fahren.
 I have neither time nor money to go on vacation.
3. sowohl ... als auch (both ... and)
o Ich mag sowohl Pizza als auch Pasta.

 I like both pizza and pasta.


4. nicht nur ... sondern auch (not only ... but also)
o Er ist nicht nur fleißig, sondern auch sehr nett.

 He is not only hardworking but also very nice.


5. je ... desto (the more ... the more)
o Je mehr ich Deutsch lerne, desto besser verstehe ich es.

 The more I learn German, the better I understand it.


6. einerseits ... andererseits (on one hand ... on the other hand)
o Einerseits mag ich meinen Job, andererseits ist er manchmal
sehr stressig.
 On one hand, I like my job, on the other hand, it is sometimes
very stressful.

Example Sentences Combining Multiple Connectors


1. Ich gehe heute nicht ins Fitnessstudio, sondern ich mache einen
Spaziergang, weil das Wetter schön ist.
o I am not going to the gym today, but rather I am taking a walk
because the weather is nice.
2. Entweder gehe ich morgen ins Kino, oder ich bleibe zu Hause,
wenn es regnet.
o Either I will go to the cinema tomorrow, or I will stay home if it rains.

3. Ich habe nicht nur mein Zimmer aufgeräumt, sondern auch das
Bad geputzt, bevor meine Eltern nach Hause kommen.
o I not only cleaned my room but also cleaned the bathroom before
my parents come home.

These connectors are essential for structuring your answers and writing clearly in
the B1 TELC exam. Practicing them will help you build more complex and
nuanced sentences.
Here are some useful tips to help you succeed in the Reading Test (Lesen)
for the B1 TELC German exam:

1. Understand the Test Structure


The B1 TELC reading test generally includes the following types of texts:
 Short texts (advertisements, emails, or messages)
 Medium-length texts (newspaper articles, short reports, or instructions)
 Long texts (essays, letters, or informational texts)
You’ll need to answer different types of questions, such as:
 Multiple-choice questions
 True/false questions
 Fill-in-the-blank questions

2. Skim the Text First (Überfliegen)


 Skimming means reading quickly to get the general idea or "gist" of the
text. Don’t focus on every word during the first read-through. Look for
headings, key phrases, and main points. This gives you a basic
understanding of the text's topic.
 Look at the Questions First: Before reading the text in detail, read the
questions. This way, you’ll know what to look for when skimming, and
you can focus on finding the right information faster.

3. Scan for Specific Information (Details finden)


 Scanning means looking for specific information, such as dates, numbers,
names, or particular facts. Once you know what the questions are asking,
go back to the text and scan for the details you need.
 Highlight or Underline Key Words: When you find important
information (like a date or a name that relates to the question), highlight it
or underline it. This makes it easier to locate the information when
answering the questions.

4. Focus on Key Vocabulary


 Identify Important Words: Often, you will not understand every word in
the text. Don’t worry! Focus on understanding the key words or phrases
that are necessary to answer the question. Look for verbs and nouns that
convey the main idea.
 Guess the Meaning from Context: If you don’t know a word, try to
guess its meaning by looking at the sentences around it. Use context to
help you understand the overall meaning of the passage.
 Don’t Panic Over Unknown Words: It’s normal to encounter unfamiliar
words. Don’t let them distract you; you can often answer questions by
understanding the general meaning of the text without knowing every
word.

5. Time Management
 Pace Yourself: Don’t spend too much time on any single question. The
reading test is timed, so manage your time effectively. Aim to spend
more time on longer or more difficult texts, and less time on shorter,
easier ones.
 Answer the Easier Questions First: If you’re stuck on a question, skip
it and come back later. Answer the questions you know first, so you don’t
waste valuable time on more difficult ones.
 Leave Time to Review: If possible, leave a few minutes at the end to
review your answers and make sure you didn’t miss any questions.

6. Understand Different Text Types


The exam might include different types of texts. It’s important to practice
reading various kinds of materials before the exam:
 Advertisements (Werbungen): These often contain short, concise
information. Look for specific details like prices, dates, or locations.
 Emails/Letters (Briefe): Pay attention to the structure (greeting, body,
and closing), and focus on the purpose of the email (e.g., an invitation,
request, or information).
 Articles (Artikel): Practice reading newspaper articles or blog posts.
Articles often contain opinions or facts about current events, so focus on
the main ideas and supporting arguments.
 Instructions/Manuals (Anleitungen): These often include steps or
numbered lists. Look for key words that indicate sequence, like „zuerst“
(first), „dann“ (then), „schließlich“ (finally).

7. Look Out for False Friends and Traps


 False Friends: These are words that look similar to words in your native
language but have different meanings. For example, „aktuell“ in German
means "current," not "actually."
 Tricky Questions: Sometimes, test questions are designed to mislead.
Make sure you understand the entire sentence or paragraph before
selecting an answer. Watch out for words like „nicht“ (not), which can
completely change the meaning of a sentence.

8. Practice Inference (Schlussfolgerungen ziehen)


 Sometimes the answer is not stated directly in the text. You may need to
infer or draw conclusions based on what is implied. For example, if a
text says, „Er hat den Bus verpasst und kam deshalb zu spät zur
Arbeit“, you can infer that he was late to work because he missed the
bus.

9. Practice with Authentic Materials


 Practice Reading German Newspapers or Magazines: Read simple
German-language newspapers like „Deutsche Welle“, or websites with
beginner articles like „Nachrichtenleicht.de“. These will expose you to
different text types similar to those you’ll encounter on the exam.
 Use TELC Practice Tests: Find and use TELC B1 practice reading
exams online or in preparation books. This will help you become familiar
with the question types and exam format.

10. Improve Your Vocabulary and Grammar


 Focus on Common Vocabulary: Familiarize yourself with B1-level
vocabulary related to common topics like work, travel, health, daily
life, and current events. Practice reading texts related to these themes.
 Grammar Awareness: Sometimes, understanding the grammar in a
sentence helps you choose the right answer. For example, recognizing
tenses (past, present, or future) will help you understand when actions
took place.

11. Avoid Rushing


 Read Carefully: Sometimes, you may think you know the answer, but
upon closer reading, you realize it was a trick question. Read carefully
before selecting an answer.
 Double-Check Your Answers: Make sure your answer matches the
question. For true/false questions, make sure you understand the
statement completely before deciding.

12. Pay Attention to Word Order and Context


 In German, word order is important for meaning. A simple change in word
order can alter the whole sentence. For example:
o „Er hat das Auto verkauft.“ (He sold the car.)

o „Das Auto hat er verkauft.“ (He sold the car.)

Both sentences mean the same thing but emphasize different parts. Pay
attention to this during the reading test.

By practicing these strategies and incorporating them into your reading


exercises, you'll be more prepared and confident for the B1 TELC reading
exam.

Speaking Location

Example 1: A Book on a Table


 „Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.“
(The book is on the table.)
 „Das Buch ist neben der Lampe.“
(The book is next to the lamp.)
Example 2: A Dog in a Park
 „Der Hund spielt im Park.“
(The dog is playing in the park.)
 „Der Hund sitzt unter dem Baum.“
(The dog is sitting under the tree.)
Example 3: A Picture on the Wall
 „Das Bild hängt an der Wand.“
(The picture is hanging on the wall.)
 „Das Bild ist über dem Sofa.“
(The picture is above the sofa.)
Example 4: A Car in the Garage
 „Das Auto steht in der Garage.“
(The car is in the garage.)
 „Das Auto ist vor dem Haus.“
(The car is in front of the house.)
Example 5: A Flower in a Garden
 „Die Blume wächst im Garten.“
(The flower is growing in the garden.)
 „Die Blume steht zwischen den anderen Pflanzen.“
(The flower is between the other plants.)
Useful Prepositions for Location
 auf (on)
 unter (under)
 neben (next to)
 vor (in front of)
 hinter (behind)
 über (above)
 zwischen (between)
 in (in)
Here are examples of how to use various German prepositions with their
English translations, along with example sentences:
1. Auf (on)
 Example: „Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.“
(The book is on the table.)
2. Unter (under)
 Example: „Der Hund schläft unter dem Tisch.“
(The dog is sleeping under the table.)
3. Neben (next to)
 Example: „Die Lampe steht neben dem Sofa.“
(The lamp is next to the sofa.)
4. Vor (in front of)
 Example: „Das Auto steht vor dem Haus.“
(The car is in front of the house.)
5. Hinter (behind)
 Example: „Der Garten ist hinter dem Haus.“
(The garden is behind the house.)
6. Über (above)
 Example: „Das Bild hängt über dem Sofa.“
(The picture is hanging above the sofa.)
7. Zwischen (between)
 Example: „Die Blume steht zwischen den anderen Pflanzen.“
(The flower is between the other plants.)
8. In (in)
 Example: „Die Katze sitzt in der Kiste.“
(The cat is sitting in the box.)
9. Mit (with)
 Example: „Ich gehe mit meinem Freund ins Kino.“
(I am going to the cinema with my friend.)
10. An (at/on)
 Example: „Ich stehe an der Haltestelle.“
(I am standing at the bus stop.)
11. Durch (through)
 Example: „Wir gehen durch den Park.“
(We are walking through the park.)
12. Nach (to/after)
 Example: „Ich gehe nach Hause.“
(I am going home.)
13. Für (for)
 Example: „Das Geschenk ist für dich.“
(The gift is for you.)
14. Über (about)
 Example: „Wir sprechen über das Wetter.“
(We are talking about the weather.)

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