7 Most Common B1 German Speaking Test Questions Explained

The B1 German speaking test evaluates your ability to communicate in everyday situations. It includes a 15-minute preparation phase followed by a 15-minute speaking test with a presentation and a discussion. Here's what you need to know:

Key Question Types:

Personal Introduction: Talk about yourself (e.g., name, age, job).
Sharing Opinions: Express thoughts using phrases like "Meiner Meinung nach."
Activity Planning: Plan something together with another student.
Presenting Topics: Presenting current issues like climate change.
Feedback and Questions: Responding to and providing feedback, asking and answering questions.
Speaking with Partners: Engage in dialogue and active listening.
What-If Scenarios: Use "Konjunktiv II" for hypothetical situations.

Quick Preparation Tips:

Focus on sticking to the topic, connecting the phrases together, and using varied sentence structures.
Practice speaking naturally, not memorizing answers.
Use tools like Deutsch Now to record your pronunciation, speak with an AI partner and learn to manage time.

Test Day Essentials:

Arrive early with ID and registration confirmation.
Stay calm, listen carefully, and organize your answers.

Prepare effectively by practicing these question types, staying confident, and focusing on clear communication. This test measures how well you handle real-life conversations in German.

Common B1 Speaking Test Questions

The B1 German speaking test measures how well you can handle real-life conversations in German. Knowing the main question categories and their goals can help you prepare more effectively for the exam.

Main Question Topics

The test focuses on everyday situations you’re likely to encounter in German-speaking settings. Key topics include:

Topic Category	Examples	Purpose
Personal Life	Family, hobbies, daily routine	Check basic conversational abilities
Work & Education	Job tasks, study plans	Assess professional vocabulary usage
Social Issues	Environment, technology, culture	Test how well you share your opinions
Practical Situations	Travel, appointments, shopping	Evaluate problem-solving in context

Each topic tests specific skills, so understanding these areas can guide your preparation.

Question Types and Speaking Skills

The test uses different question formats to assess your language abilities:

Personal Introduction Questions: Show how well you can introduce yourself and discuss your background.
Activity Planning Scenarios: Test your ability to interact with another person to arrive at a certain outcome.
Opinion-Based Discussions: Require you to share and explain your views on social topics with logical arguments.

Examiners are looking for these key elements in your responses:

Completeness: Be on topic and address the points mentioned in the task.
Coherence: Connect your thoughts and phrases together to create one narrative.
Vocabulary: Use words that match the B1 level.
Structures: Apply basic and intermediate structures correctly.
Interaction: In partner exercises, be engaged with your partner (ask questions and react to their responses appropriately).

Avoid relying on memorized answers. Instead, practice responding naturally to demonstrate your ability to hold meaningful conversations in German.

7 Question Types Explained

Each question type in the B1 German speaking test comes with its own approach. Below, you'll find practical examples and tips tailored to these question types, building on the test topics we've already covered.

1. Personal Introduction

Start with basic details like your name, age, where you live, and your job. Here's a breakdown:

Component	German Example	English Translation
Name	"Hallo, ich heiße Thomas"	"Hello, my name is Thomas"
Age & Residence	"Ich bin 25 Jahre alt und komme aus London"	"I'm 25 years old and from London"
Occupation	"Ich arbeite als Grafikdesigner"	"I work as a graphic designer"
Additional Info	"Seit zwei Jahren lerne ich Deutsch"	"I've been learning German for two years"

2. Sharing Opinions

Expressing opinions is key. Use phrases like:

Meiner Meinung nach (In my opinion)
Ich denke, dass (I think that)
Ich bin der Ansicht, dass (I am of the view that)

Combine these with connectors such as weil or denn to explain your reasoning.

3. Planning Acitivities

Ensure you understand the details of the task - it usually contains specific requirements of what, when and why should be planned. Clearly go through those points mentioned, and cover each one.

Since you will be planning together with another student, be sure to make it a conversation. Ask them questions, answer whatever they ask of you. Agree to some things they propose, disagree with others. When you disagree, follow up with a counter-proposal.

If your speaking partner is lost or confused, take initiative! Ask them a simple question or repeat your question differently, to make it easier for them to understand.

"Das geht bei mir leider nicht. Ich würde stattdessen vorschlagen, dass wir am Sonntagnachmittag hingehen."

4. Presenting Topics

You will be given a topic to present and a few slides to guide your thinking. Make sure you are sticking to the task and saying anything on every point.

Vorstellung:
Meine persönlichen Erfahrungen
Die Situation in meinem Heimatland
Vor- und Nachteile & meine Meinung
Abschluss und Dank

When presenting, follow this structure outlined in the slides:

Vorstellung - introduce the topic: "Heutzutage ist der Klimawandel ein großes Problem..." (Nowadays, climate change is a big issue...)
Meine persönlichen Erfahrungen - your personal experiences: explain how you interacted with the topic in your own life
Die Situation in meinem Heimatland - how this topic is seen in your home country: “In meinem Heimatland sieht man das anders…“ (In my country the topic is seen differently than in Germany…)
Vor- und Nachteile & meine Meinung - outline pro and counter arguments and state your personal opinion: "Einerseits..., andererseits..." (On the one hand ..., on the other hand...)
Abschluss und Dank - ending and gratitude: "Ich möchte Ihnen allen für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit danken…" (I want to thank you all for your attention...)

5. Feedback and Questions

After your presentation, you will be given feedback and asked questions about the presentation. In this part what’s being graded is how your respond.

Try to stay positive and thank the person for the feedback, even if you disagree with it. Respond to questions with basic answers, don’t go into the deep discussion.

After the presentation of another student, you will also need to provide feedback and ask questions about what they presented. Try to give positive feedback and ask simple questions they likely know the answer to.

Remember, you are not being graded for how smart you are - instead on how you can interact with another person.

6. Speaking with Partners

Engage actively in conversations by using phrases like:

"Was denkst du darüber?" (What do you think about that?)
"Ich stimme dir zu, weil..." (I agree with you because...)
"Das ist ein interessanter Punkt" (That's an interesting point)

This shows you're listening and participating.

7. What-If Questions

Use the Konjunktiv II structure for hypothetical scenarios. Start with "Wenn ich..." followed by "würde ich...". For example:

"Wenn ich reich wäre, würde ich um die Welt reisen, weil ich neue Kulturen kennenlernen möchte."
This structure helps you express possibilities and dreams effectively.

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Test Preparation Methods

Preparing for the B1 test involves using technology, learning key phrases, and practicing with a partner. Here’s how to get the most out of your preparation.

Practice with Deutsch Now

Deutsch Now's AI platform is designed to help you practice effectively for the B1 test. The Standard Plan includes:

Feature	What It Offers
Real-time Pronunciation Assessment	Instant feedback to correct pronunciation mistakes
Interactive Speaking Exercises	Practice in a test-like environment
Time Pressure Simulations	Build confidence in managing time limits during the test
Personalized Feedback	Focus on areas where you can improve

While digital tools are helpful, pairing them with essential phrases is equally important.

Must-Know German Phrases

Using key German phrases can make your responses clearer and more structured. Here are some examples:

Context	Phrases	Purpose
Expressing Opinions	"Meiner Erfahrung nach..." "Ich bin davon überzeugt, dass..."	To share your thoughts or experiences
Asking for Clarification	"Könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen?" "Das verstehe ich nicht ganz."	To ask for repetition or clarity
Connecting Ideas	"Außerdem..." "Einerseits... andererseits..."	To link ideas and create structured answers

Knowing when and how to use these phrases will make your responses more polished.

Practice Partner Sessions

Practicing with a partner is a great way to improve fluency. Here’s how to make the most of it:

Set clear topics to focus on.
Take turns playing different roles.
Provide specific feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.

Consistent practice in a realistic setting will help you gain confidence and respond naturally during the test.

Test Day Guidelines

Once you've prepared thoroughly, it's time to focus on what to do on test day. These tips will help you stay organized and confident from the moment you arrive to the end of your test.

Pre-Test Preparation

The Goethe-Institut suggests arriving at least 30 minutes before your test begins. Here's a quick breakdown of what to do:

Timing	What to Do
Night Before	Get enough sleep and gather your documents.
Morning Of	Eat a healthy meal, wear comfortable clothing, and plan to arrive early.
At Test Center	Check in and complete any required security steps.

Once you're settled, shift your focus to staying calm and collected.

Managing Test Stress

During the 20-minute preparation period, try these techniques to ease any nerves:

Technique	What to Do
Deep Breathing	Take slow, deep breaths to calm yourself before speaking.
Mental Rehearsal	Quickly run through common speaking scenarios in your head.
Active Listening	Pay close attention to the examiner's instructions.
Response Planning	Take a moment to organize your thoughts before answering.

These simple steps can help you feel more in control and focused.

Test Center Information

Make sure to follow all test center rules for a hassle-free experience. Bring these must-have items:

A valid government-issued photo ID
Your test registration confirmation
A pen for taking notes

The speaking portion of the test will take place in a private room with an examiner and typically one other candidate. Stay attentive and confident throughout the process!

Summary

Mastering the main question types is key to excelling in the B1 German speaking test. This test focuses on seven question categories designed to evaluate your intermediate German skills.

Question Type	Key Skills to Focus On
Personal Introduction	Talking about yourself and sharing basic details
Opinion Sharing	Expressing opinions with clear reasoning
Activity Planning	Plan an activity together with a partner
Social Topics	Discussing common social issues and cultural context
Partner Speaking	Engaging in dialogue and practicing active listening
What-If Scenarios	Using hypothetical phrases and correct grammar

The speaking section often includes a conversation with another candidate. To prepare, use tools like Deutsch Now and practice regularly with a partner. Focus on building confidence in these question types through consistent, structured practice.

The B1 exam aligns with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages, representing intermediate German proficiency. At this level, you should be able to:

Handle everyday conversations with ease
Share opinions and justify them clearly
Navigate social interactions with cultural sensitivity
Respond naturally to unexpected questions
Use proper grammar while speaking

To succeed, create a study plan that emphasizes speaking practice, targets these question types, and includes strategies to manage test-day stress.

FAQs

How is the Goethe B1 test structured?

The Goethe B1 exam is divided into modules, each assessing a specific skill. Here's a quick breakdown:

Component	Time	Format
Reading	65 minutes	Five parts, including blog entries and press reports
Listening	40 minutes	Four sections with audio content
Writing	60 minutes	Three tasks, such as writing formal/informal emails
Speaking	15 minutes	Three sections, with 20 minutes of preparation

This modular setup gives you flexibility. You can take the sections on different days, complete the test within the same or following year, and even retake individual sections if needed. Plus, you can choose between computer-based or paper-based formats.

To pass, you need at least 60% in each module.

The speaking portion includes:

Planning an activity together with another student
Giving a short presentation on a current topic
Responding to feedback and questions about your presentation
Providing feedback and asking questions about the presentation of another student

This overview provides a clear understanding of the exam's structure, helping you prepare effectively.