Paper 2 (Edexcel GCSE German): Revision Notes
Paper 2: Listening exam guide
Exam structure overview
Paper 2 tests your German listening skills through two main sections that build your confidence step by step.
Section A: Listening comprehension - this forms the main part of your exam Section B: Dictation - you'll write down exactly what you hear
Timing and marks
| Level | Time allowed | Total marks |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 45 minutes | 50 marks |
| Higher | 1 hour | 50 marks |
The dictation section is worth 10 marks of your total, whilst listening comprehension makes up the remaining 40 marks.
Key exam features
The exam includes 9-11 questions plus 6 sentences for the dictation section. You get 5 minutes reading time before the recording starts - use this wisely to familiarise yourself with the questions and perhaps jot down German words for some English options.
You'll hear each recording three times with pauses between each playing. This gives you multiple opportunities to catch details you might have missed.
Question types breakdown
Multiple choice questions
These questions offer three options (A, B, C) and you select one correct answer worth 1 mark each.
Worked Example: Multiple Choice Strategy
If you see the German sentence "Ich habe am Montag eine Geschichtsprüfung" with options:
- A: a PE lesson
- B: a history exam
- C: an English trip
Focus on the key word "Geschichtsprüfung" (history exam/test) to identify option B as correct.
Top tip: You might not hear the exact word from the English options. For example, you might hear "Fahrt" instead of "Reise" (both mean journey/trip), so listen for synonyms.
| German term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Geschichtsprüfung | history exam |
| Montag | Monday |
| Fahrt | journey/trip |
| Reise | journey/trip |
| lustig | funny |
| traurig | sad |
| krank | ill |
| interessant | interesting |
| schwierig | difficult |
| wichtig | important |
Example sentence: "Am Montag haben wir eine schwierige Geschichtsprüfung" (On Monday we have a difficult history exam).
Multiple response questions
These require you to listen to a longer recording and select three correct answers from six options for 3 marks total.
Strategy: Listen carefully as the speaker mentions multiple points. You need to identify three separate pieces of information, such as:
- What subjects someone finds interesting
- What they dislike
- What they find challenging
The questions often focus on opinions and preferences expressed by German speakers.
Word clouds and gap-fill exercises
These questions test your ability to complete sentences using words from a provided box. The possible answers appear on the same line as each question, with more words than gaps to make it challenging.
Worked Example: Gap-fill Strategy
"Samira geht zur Schule mit dem ________" (1 mark)
Word bank: bus | train | bike | car | tie | jacket
Key strategy: All possible answers for each question section can be found on the first line of that word box section. Read through all options before making your choice.
| German vocabulary | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Bus | bus |
| Zug | train |
| Fahrrad | bike |
| Auto | car |
| Krawatte | tie |
| Jacke | jacket |
| Tennis spielen | playing tennis |
| Basketball spielen | playing basketball |
| schwimmen | swimming |
Practice sentences:
- "Sie fährt jeden Tag mit dem Bus zur Schule" (She travels to school by bus every day)
- "Nach der Schule spielt er gerne Tennis mit Freunden" (After school he likes playing tennis with friends)
Essential exam strategies
Before the recording starts:
- Use your 5-minute reading time effectively
- Underline key words in the questions
- Think of German equivalents for English options where possible
During the listening:
- First play: Get the general meaning and context
- Second play: Focus on specific details for your answers
- Third play: Check your answers and fill any gaps
General tips:
- Use the marks in brackets as your guide - one mark usually equals one detail
- Don't panic if you miss something on the first hearing - you get two more chances
- Sometimes you won't hear the exact word but a synonym - be flexible in your thinking
- Cross out wrong answers clearly and put your final answer in the correct place
Practice translation exercise
Translation Practice Exercise
German to English:
- "Mein bester Freund ist lustig"
- "Ich finde Mathe interessant, aber schwierig"
English to German: 3. She goes to school by train 4. After school he plays basketball
Answers:
- My best friend is funny
- I find maths interesting, but difficult
- "Sie fährt mit dem Zug zur Schule"
- "Nach der Schule spielt er Basketball"
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Three hearings give you multiple opportunities - don't stress if you miss something first time
- Reading time is crucial - use those 5 minutes to prepare and think of German vocabulary
- Look for synonyms rather than exact word matches between German audio and English options
- One mark per detail - use the marking scheme to guide how much information you need
- Multiple response questions require you to identify several separate points from longer passages