Study Guide

Field 056: World Languages—German
Sample Speaking and Listening Assignments

The following materials contain:

General Directions

This test consists of four sections: (1) a speaking section in which you will respond to an assignment in the target language, (2) a listening section in which you will listen to audio excerpts in the target language and answer multiple-choice questions presented on the screen, (3) a multiple-choice section in which you will respond to questions presented on the screen, and (4) a writing section in which you will respond to an assignment in the target language. The directions for each section appear immediately before that section.

For sections containing multiple-choice questions, read each question and answer choice carefully and choose the ONE best answer. You should answer all questions. Even if you are unsure of an answer, it is better to guess than not to answer a question at all.

You may NOT use any type of calculator or reference materials during the testing session.

Directions for the Speaking Assignment

Note: These are the directions you will see during the operational test. In this study guide, your response will not be recorded, and you will not see a Recorded Answer box.

For this section of the test you will record a spoken response to the assignment that will be presented on the screen. You will have two minutes to read the assignment presented on the screen and consider your response. You will then have two minutes to record your response by speaking into a microphone. Your response must be in the target language. Once recording has begun, it cannot be stopped, nor can you re-record your response.

What you say must be relevant to the situation presented in the assignment. Your response will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

The speaking assignment and a Recorded Answer box will appear on the next screen. A sample of the Recorded Answer box appears below.

When you are ready, click Next and begin reading the assignment. The Recorded Answer box will count down the time until recording begins. You will have 2 minutes to review the assignment and prepare your response. Be sure not to begin speaking until the status on the Recorded Answer box changes to read the number of seconds remaining.

You will then have 2 minutes to complete your response in the target language. You can monitor your time remaining by referring to the Recorded Answer box. The time will count down from 120 seconds (2 minutes) and the status bar will fill as time progresses.

When your time is up, the current status on the Recorded Answer box will change to "completed" indicating the conclusion of the speaking section of the test. Once the status in the Recorded Answer box changes to "completed," select the Next button to continue with the remainder of the test. Do not click Next until you have finished recording your response.

You will have only ONE opportunity to record your response. Select the Next button when you have finished reading these directions and are ready to begin the speaking section of the test. Be sure you have your headset on and that the microphone is in a downward position near your mouth before proceeding. Once you select the Next button, the timed speaking assignment will begin and you WILL NOT be able to return to these directions.

Sample Speaking Assignment

Objective 0008
Presentational and Interpersonal Communication Skills (Standard 4)

Read the assignment below. You will have 2 minutes to review the assignment and prepare your response. Begin speaking in German when the current status on the Recorded Answer box changes to "time remaining." You may take up to 2 minutes to complete your response. Monitor your time by referring to the Recorded Answer box. Begin reviewing the assignment now.

Imagine that you live in a German-speaking country and your car breaks down while you are on your way to the dentist. You call the dentist's office but no one answers. Speaking in German, leave a message on the dentist's office voice mail in which you explain the situation. In your message, you must include, but are not limited to, the following information:

Sample Strong Response to the Speaking Assignment

A strong response to the assignment would fully address the assigned topic and develop the topic through extensive elaboration of ideas. The response would be delivered in a consistently clear manner using appropriate cohesive devices to connect ideas within the response. The examinee would speak fluently with easily intelligible pronunciation. The examinee would have good control over simple and some complex linguistic constructions that demonstrate the maintenance of time frames and would avoid errors that interfere with communication. The examinee would show mastery of a broad range of vocabulary including the use of appropriate idiomatic expressions and precise word choice.

Performance Characteristics for the Speaking Assignment

The following characteristics guide the scoring of responses to the speaking assignment.

Purpose Extent to which the response addresses the assignment and is appropriate for the given context
Coherence Clarity of the relationship among ideas
Fluency Ease of expression and flow of speech
Pronunciation Intelligibility and accuracy of pronunciation
Grammar Command of grammar and syntax
Vocabulary Command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions

Scoring Scale for the Speaking Assignment

Scores will be assigned to each response to the speaking assignment according to the following scoring scale.

Score Point Score Point Description
4 The "4" response demonstrates a strong level of skill in presentational speaking.
  1. The response is appropriate for the given context. It thoroughly addresses the assignment through extensive elaboration of ideas.
  2. The response is clear. Ideas are connected and cohesive devices are employed effectively.
  3. The response demonstrates a consistent flow of speech, with few, if any, inappropriate hesitations.
  4. Pronunciation is easily intelligible, with few, if any, errors in articulation and stress/tone.
  5. The response demonstrates consistent command of basic grammar and syntax and some command of more complex constructions. Control of tense and aspect across different time frames is largely maintained. Minor errors do not affect overall comprehensibility.
  6. The response demonstrates broad command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. Word choice is precise, with few, if any, errors.
3 The "3" response demonstrates a general level of skill in presentational speaking.
  1. The response is generally appropriate for the given context. It addresses the assignment through basic elaboration of ideas.
  2. The response is generally clear despite some disruption in the connecting of ideas and/or the occasional misuse of cohesive devices.
  3. The response demonstrates a generally consistent flow of speech. Expression is interrupted by some inappropriate hesitations.
  4. Pronunciation is intelligible despite some errors in articulation and stress/tone.
  5. The response demonstrates general command of basic grammar and syntax. Different time frames are used; however, control of tense and aspect is inconsistent. A generally comprehensible message is conveyed despite numerous and/or significant errors.
  6. The response demonstrates general command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. Errors in word choice may cause gaps in communication.
2 The "2" response demonstrates a limited level of skill in presentational speaking.
  1. The response is partially appropriate for the given context. There is limited elaboration of ideas.
  2. The response is only partially clear. Ideas are only partially connected, and cohesive devices may be largely ineffective.
  3. The response demonstrates an inconsistent flow of speech. Expression is disrupted by frequent inappropriate hesitations.
  4. Pronunciation is at times unintelligible. There are frequent or significant errors in articulation and stress/tone.
  5. The response demonstrates limited command of grammar and syntax; time frames other than the present may not be used. Numerous, frequent, and serious errors partially impede comprehensibility.
  6. The response demonstrates limited command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. Lack of key words and expressions partially impedes communication.
1 The "1" response demonstrates a weak level of skill in presentational speaking.
  1. The response is largely inappropriate for the given context. There is little or no elaboration of ideas.
  2. The response is largely unclear. Ideas are unconnected and there is little or no effective use of cohesive devices.
  3. The response demonstrates little or no flow of speech. Expression is impeded by frequent and/or prolonged hesitations.
  4. Frequent and significant errors in articulation and stress/tone make the response largely unintelligible.
  5. The response demonstrates little or no command of even the most basic grammar and syntax. The message is largely incomprehensible.
  6. Weak command of even the most basic vocabulary or idiomatic expressions impedes communication.
U The response is unrelated to the assigned topic, inaudible/incomprehensible, not spoken in the required language, not of sufficient length to score, or merely a repetition of the assignment.
B There is no response to the assignment.

Directions for the Listening Assignment

This section of the test contains multiple-choice questions that involve listening to a recorded excerpt. Excerpts will vary in length. Unless otherwise indicated, each listening excerpt will be played twice.

The audio will begin automatically once you advance to the next screen. There will be 20 seconds of silence before the audio excerpt begins to play. During these 20 seconds, you should familiarize yourself with the test question(s).

Once the audio begins, you will not be able to pause, stop, or replay it. Therefore, listen carefully. You will not be able to go back and review your answers to questions in this section of the test. Once you move to the next question, you will not be able to go back to previous questions in this section. Therefore, be sure to select your answer carefully before you move to the next question.

Sample Listening Assignment

The passage and the dialogue shown below represent the recorded text you would hear on the actual test. They are shown here for study purposes only; on the actual test you will not see printed scripts accompanying the recordings.

Objective 0002
Interpretive Communication Skills (Standard 3)

Hören Sie sich die folgende Passage genau an; beantworten Sie dann die anschließende Frage. Sie hören die Passage zweimal.

*(PAUSE 20 seconds)

(one male or female speaker)

Und hier noch die Wettervorhersage für morgen, Mittwoch, den 17. Mai. Aus Island bewegt sich ein Tief auf das Festland zu. Es bringt wieder kühlere Luftmassen mit sich, so dass sich die frühsommerlichen Temperaturen erstmal wieder verabschieden. In den nächsten Tagen wird zumeist eine dichte Wolkendecke über fast ganz Deutschland liegen, und die Temperaturen werden in der Nacht bis auf 4°C fallen. Tagsüber steigen die Temperaturen in Norddeutschland bei anhaltendem Regen nur bis auf 8°C, während sie in Süddeutschland bei 12°C liegen. Dort kann auch ab und zu die Sonne hervorkommen. Im Alpenvorland muss mit Nachtfrost gerechnet werden, und es kann auch zu Schneeschauern kommen. Und die weiteren Aussichten: Es bleibt in den nächsten Tagen kühl und regnerisch.

Sie hören die Passage jetzt noch einmal.

(Passage is repeated)

Beantworten Sie jetzt die Frage.*

Aus der Wettervorhersage kann man schließen, dass:

  1. das Tief aus Island sonniges Wetter nach Süddeutschland bringt.
  2. eine dichte Wolkendecke zu sinkenden Temperaturen führen wird.
  3. es bald frühsommerliche Temperaturen in Island geben wird.
  4. der mögliche Nachtfrost im Alpenvorland zu Gewittern führen kann.
Answer
Correct Response: B.
This question requires the examinee to demonstrate the ability to apply literal and inferential comprehension skills to identify or infer essential information from spoken messages. Although it is only the middle of May, there have been summerlike temperatures. However, a cold front is now moving in from Iceland, and expected cloudy weather will lower the temperature.
Objective 0002
Interpretive Communication Skills (Standard 3)

Hören Sie sich den folgenden Dialog genau an; beantworten Sie dann die drei anschließenden Fragen. Sie hören den Dialog zweimal.

*(PAUSE 20 seconds)

(one male and one female speaker)

Male: Hallo, Kerstin. Schön, dass du anrufst. Macht die Reise noch Spaß?

Female: Hallo. Ja, Trier ist einfach eine tolle Stadt. Wir haben Glück, dass du dich so sehr für Stadtgeschichte interessierst und haben uns an deinen Vorschlägen orientiert.

Male: Das freut mich sehr. Was habt ihr denn angeschaut?

Female: Am Freitagabend haben wir uns ein Stück im Rahmen der Antikenfestspiele in den Ruinen der Kaiserthermen angeschaut. Wir waren doch noch rechtzeitig da und sind nach dem Einchecken im Hotel sofort hin. Am Samstag sind wir dann in die Innenstadt. Von der Porta Nigra sind wir dann Richtung Dreikönigshaus und schließlich zum Trierer Dom.

Male: Ich habe gehört, dass der Stockplatz komplett neu angelegt ist. Habt ihr euch das angesehen?

Female: Selbstverständlich. Gegenüber des Brunnens gibt es nun eine tolle moderne Buchhandlung und ein renoviertes Brauhaus. Morgen fahren wir nun nach Köln.

Sie hören den Dialog jetzt noch einmal.

(Dialogue is repeated)

Beantworten Sie jetzt die drei Fragen.*

Welche der folgenden Erwiderungen des Mannes passt am besten zum Ende des Dialogs?

  1. Viel Spaß heute im Theater!
  2. Bier schmeckt immer.
  3. Danke für das Buch!
  4. Da habe ich auch Vorschläge.
Answer
Correct Response: D.
This question requires the examinee to demonstrate the ability to recognize customary greetings, questions, or comments likely to be encountered in social situations. The male speaker had given his friends tips on where to go and what to do in Trier while they were visiting. Once they are ready to move on to Cologne, the male speaker tells his friend that he also has tips for their visit there.

Was hat die Sprecherin am Samstag gemacht?

  1. Sie hat im Hotel eingecheckt.
  2. Sie ist nach Köln gefahren.
  3. Sie hat die Innenstadt besucht.
  4. Sie ist zur Bibliothek gegangen.
Answer
Correct Response: C.
This question requires the examinee to demonstrate the ability to apply literal and inferential comprehension skills to identify or infer essential information from spoken messages. The speaker arrived at the town on Friday and then checked into the hotel. She plans to go to Cologne on Sunday. On Saturday, she went to the center of Trier.

Welches der folgenden Adjektive beschreibt die Stimmung der Sprecherin am besten?

  1. gelangweilt
  2. begeistert
  3. genervt
  4. verzweifelt
Answer
Correct Response: B.
This question requires the examinee to demonstrate the ability to apply literal and inferential comprehension skills to identify or infer essential information from spoken messages. According to the speaker, everything on her tour went fine and she loved the experience. She is very enthusiastic.