The Horen (Listening) module of the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 is 30 minutes long and worth 25 points. It contains four tasks, each based on short audio clips representing everyday communication: announcements, voicemails, short conversations, and simple informational messages. At A2, you do not need to understand every word — you must recognise key information such as times, names, places, prices, and simple decisions. This guide covers all four tasks with strategies and the question types that appear in each.
Goethe A2 Horen – Module Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Duration | Approximately 30 minutes (including listening time and transfer time) |
| Number of tasks | 4 |
| Total marks | 25 |
| Pass mark | 60% (15 out of 25); overall exam pass is 60 out of 100 |
| Number of listens per task | Most tasks are played twice; some are played once — check instructions carefully |
| Question format | Multiple choice (A, B, C), True/False (Richtig/Falsch), matching, and short answer |
Task 1 – Short Announcements or Messages (5–6 Marks)
Task 1 typically presents 5–6 very short audio clips — public announcements, short voicemail messages, or brief recorded information. Each clip is followed by a multiple choice question or a True/False statement. The clips are short (15–30 seconds each) and test whether you can identify one specific piece of information.
| Question Focus | Strategy |
| A time or date | Listen specifically for numbers; write down what you hear; compare against the options carefully — 14:30 vs 15:30 vs 16:30 |
| A place or destination | Listen for location words: Bahnhof / Flughafen / Marktplatz / Rathaus — note which location is mentioned as correct |
| A decision or instruction | Listen for the verb that describes the action: “kommen / abholen / zuruck rufen / bezahlen” — identify what the speaker is asking the listener to do |
| A price or quantity | Note the exact number; common mistakes involve confusing similar-sounding numbers (vierzig / vierzehn; drei / drei und zwanzig) |
Task 2 – Conversations or Dialogues (5–6 Marks)
Task 2 presents short conversations between two people in everyday situations: at a shop, a doctor’s office, a train station, or a workplace. Questions test whether you can follow the exchange and identify the main outcome or specific information communicated.
| What to Listen For | Why It Matters |
| The final decision in the conversation | The correct answer reflects what was ultimately agreed or decided — not an option that was mentioned and then rejected |
| The reason given for a choice | Questions often ask “Warum…?” — listen for “weil / denn / wegen” and the reason that follows |
| Who will do what | Questions test whether you can track which speaker takes which action: “Ich rufe an / du kaufst / wir treffen uns…” |
Task 3 – Longer Monologue or Broadcast (6–7 Marks)
Task 3 is a slightly longer audio — a short radio announcement, an informational monologue, or an interview excerpt of 1–2 minutes. Questions are usually True/False (Richtig/Falsch) or multiple choice and test whether you understood the main points.
| Common Question Type | Strategy |
| Richtig / Falsch statements | Read all statements before the audio plays; underline the key information in each statement (a name, a number, a description); listen specifically for confirmation or contradiction |
| Multiple choice about the topic | The first 20 seconds usually name the topic; do not be distracted by keywords that appear in wrong options — choose based on the full context |
| Questions about specific details | Listen for the exact detail asked: opening times, prices, contact information, instructions — write down numbers and names as you hear them |
Task 4 – Matching or Short Answer (6–7 Marks)
Task 4 varies in format across exam sessions — common formats include: matching short audio clips to topics or images, identifying which speaker said what, or answering short factual questions about a short exchange. The task tests global understanding of several short inputs combined.
| Task Format | Approach |
| Match speakers to topics or opinions | Note the main topic for each speaker as you listen; match after all clips have played rather than after each one |
| Identify which statement applies to which speaker | Write a brief note (A or B) next to each statement as you listen; review at the end |
| True/False about a short combined audio | Same strategy as Task 3: read statements first, listen actively, confirm or contradict each statement |
Goethe A2 listening preparation should include daily listening to simple German audio: DW Learn German (Nicos Weg), short German YouTube videos for beginners, and A2-level audio exercises. The key technique is selective listening — you are not trying to understand everything, only the specific information each question targets. languagetest.in provides Goethe A2 listening mock tests covering all four task types with complete audio, answer keys, and transcripts to support targeted preparation and error review.
References: Goethe-Institut A2 listening guide: goethe.de/en/spr/kup/prf/a2.html | DW Nicos Weg: learngerman.dw.com | languagetest.in Goethe A2 listening preparation
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