German A1 reading: the three parts and exercises with answers
The reading part of the A1 exam takes 25 minutes and has 15 items in three parts: short messages, adverts and signs. Below you will find what each part asks for, how to solve it and a worked example for each.
By Olcay Sari, founder of Level Exams
Last updated: 2026-11-12
The A1 exam is “Start Deutsch 1”; telc A1 and Goethe A1 are the same exam, and the reading part is identical in both. It is worth 15 points; the whole exam has 60 points and you need at least 36 to pass.
The texts are very short and come from everyday life: a note, an e-mail, online adverts, a notice on a door. You do not need to understand every word; it is enough to find the information that answers the question.
The three parts at a glance
| Part | What you read and do | Items | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1: Short messages | Two short texts (note, e-mail): are the statements true or false | 5 | 5 |
| Teil 2: Adverts | For each situation you choose the right one of two adverts: a or b | 5 | 5 |
| Teil 3: Signs and notices | A short sign or notice and one statement: true or false | 5 | 5 |
Teil 1: Short messages
You read two short texts: a note, an e-mail or a short letter. Next to each text there are a few statements, and you mark them true or false.
Read the statement first, then look for that information in the text: who, when, where. Watch for “nicht” and “kein”; a single negation changes the answer.
Worked example: Lesen Teil 1
Task: Lesen Sie die Nachricht und die Sätze 1 und 2. Sind die Sätze richtig oder falsch?
Liebe Eva, ich bin heute nicht im Büro. Ich habe einen Termin beim Arzt. Morgen komme ich um neun Uhr wieder. Die Schlüssel sind bei Frau Koch. Viele Grüße Tom 1. Tom ist heute im Büro. 2. Frau Koch hat die Schlüssel.
- Statement 1: falsch. “ich bin heute nicht im Büro”.
- Statement 2: richtig. “Die Schlüssel sind bei Frau Koch.”
- The statement puts the text in other words: “hat” instead of “sind bei”.
Teil 2: Adverts
For each situation you get two adverts and choose the one that fits. The situation describes a need: buying something, going somewhere, finding a course.
Both adverts are close to the topic; a detail makes the difference: duration, day, new or used, buying or renting. Find the keyword in the situation and look for it in both adverts.
Worked example: Lesen Teil 2
Task: Lesen Sie die Situationen 1 und 2 und die Anzeigen. Wo finden Sie Informationen? Kreuzen Sie an: a oder b.
1. Sie suchen ein Zimmer für zwei Nächte in Berlin. a) www.hotel-am-park.de: Zimmer ab 59 Euro pro Nacht. Frühstück inklusive. b) www.wohnen-berlin.de: Wohnungen und Zimmer zur Miete, ab sechs Monaten. 2. Sie möchten ein gebrauchtes Fahrrad kaufen. a) Fahrrad-Markt: Neue und gebrauchte Räder. Jeden Samstag von 9 bis 14 Uhr. b) Fahrradverleih am See: Räder für einen Tag, 12 Euro.
- Situation 1: a. A room for two nights is needed; advert b offers rooms and flats to rent for at least six months.
- Situation 2: a. “gebrauchte Räder” are sold there; advert b rents bicycles out (“Verleih”, “für einen Tag”).
- Both adverts are about the same thing (room, bicycle); the answer lies in the duration and in the difference between “kaufen” and “leihen”.
Teil 3: Signs and notices
You get a short notice of the kind you see on a door, in a shop or at a school, and one statement about it; you decide whether it is true or false.
Days, times and prohibitions matter in these texts. Knowing the days of the week and the words in the table below makes this part easier.
Worked example: Lesen Teil 3
Task: Lesen Sie die Texte und die Sätze 1 und 2. Sind die Sätze richtig oder falsch?
An der Tür vom Museum: Stadtmuseum. Dienstag bis Sonntag 10 bis 17 Uhr. Montag Ruhetag. Eintritt frei für Kinder unter 12 Jahren. 1. Am Montag können Sie das Museum besuchen. In der Sprachschule: Kein Deutschkurs am Freitag. Die Lehrerin ist krank. Nächster Termin: Montag, 18 Uhr. 2. Am Freitag ist kein Unterricht.
- Statement 1: falsch. “Montag Ruhetag”: closed on Monday.
- Statement 2: richtig. “Kein Deutschkurs am Freitag.”
- Short words such as “Ruhetag” and “kein” carry the answer; look for them first.
Words that often appear on signs
| German | Meaning |
|---|---|
| geöffnet | open |
| geschlossen | closed |
| Ruhetag | closing day (closed on that day) |
| verboten | not allowed |
| außer Betrieb | out of order |
| Eingang / Ausgang | entrance / exit |
| ab … / bis … | from … / until … |
| kostenlos | free of charge |
How should I divide the time?
- The three parts get roughly equal time; the texts are short, so the time is enough for most candidates.
- Do not stop at a word you do not know; you usually do not need it to answer.
- Keep a few minutes at the end for the items you were unsure about.
- Leave no item blank: a wrong answer costs no points.
How is it scored?
Each item is worth 1 point; the three parts add up to 15 points.
To pass the exam you need at least 36 of the 60 points across the four parts. The Goethe-Institut reports the result of the same exam on a scale of 100; the ratio is the same.
Common mistakes
- Trying to translate the whole text: look only for the information asked.
- Overlooking “nicht” and “kein”.
- Choosing the first advert that fits the topic in Teil 2 without reading the second.
- Mixing up the days: Dienstag is Tuesday, Donnerstag is Thursday.
- Leaving an item blank.
Sample question paper (PDF) and mock exam
More practice: the telc A1 page has sample questions with answers that you can do without signing in, and a sample exam (question paper with answers) as a PDF; both are free.
Frequently asked questions
›How many questions are there in A1 reading?
15 items in three parts: 5 in Teil 1, 5 in Teil 2 and 5 in Teil 3.
›How long is the A1 reading part?
25 minutes.
›Is the reading part the same in telc A1 and Goethe A1?
Yes. Both are the “Start Deutsch 1” exam; the parts and the number of items are identical. The ÖSD A1 exam has a different format.
›Does a wrong answer cost points?
No. Wrong and blank count the same, so mark an answer even if you are not sure.
›How should I prepare for A1 reading?
Learn the days, times, numbers and the words used on signs; then read short adverts and notes. The free A1 mock exam shows the exam layout exactly.
›Is there a PDF or sample exam for German A1 reading?
Yes. The telc A1 page has free sample questions with answers and a sample exam as a PDF. For the full exam routine, use the free online mock exam.
Do the reading part under time
In the free A1 mock exam you do the reading part with the real timing; the result shows the correct answer and an explanation for every item.