Learning German
Preparing for a German B1 exam- whether it's Goethe, telc, or ÖSD - requires understanding the key topics that might appear in your test. This comprehensive guide breaks down the most common themes you'll encounter and provides practical preparation strategies to help you succeed in 2025.
The German B1 exam doesn't just test your grammar and vocabulary - it evaluates your ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations. When you familiarize yourself with potential exam topics:
You can build targeted vocabulary relevant to exam scenarios
You'll feel more confident in all test sections
Your ability to respond spontaneously and fluently improves
Test anxiety significantly decreases
Studies show that candidates who prepare with topic-specific vocabulary score up to 20% higher than those who focus solely on grammar. Let's explore the 12 most important themes for your B1 exam preparation.
This topic consistently appears across all B1 exam formats and is particularly important for the writing section and oral exam.
How it appears in the exam:
Writing travel reports or reviews
Describing vacation experiences in monologues
Comparing travel options in discussions
Composing emails to hotels or tour operators
Essential vocabulary to master:
Vacation activities (to visit, to relax, to explore)
Transportation methods (ferry, train, tram)
Accommodation types (guest house, youth hostel, vacation apartment)
Travel problems (delay, lost luggage, rebooking)
Practice tip: Read German travel blogs and practice writing short reviews of places you've visited or would like to visit.
This contemporary topic frequently appears in reading comprehension and written expression sections.
How it appears in the exam:
Writing a complaint about a defective product
Composing a blog post about a new device
Analyzing and understanding advertising texts
Expressing opinions about technology products
Essential vocabulary to master:
Devices (smartphone, laptop, smartwatch)
Technical problems (break down, malfunction, defect)
Advertising language (convince, offer, recommend)
Complaint vocabulary (warranty, customer service, refund)
Practice tip: Collect German product descriptions or advertisements and practice summarizing their key selling points.
This personal topic enables you to discuss your own experiences - ideal for the speaking section and personal writing tasks.
How it appears in the exam:
Reporting on a turning point in your life
Writing about moments of happiness
Conducting conversations about life changes
Composing letters about personal development
Essential vocabulary to master:
Life stages (childhood, adulthood, retirement)
Life changes (moving, getting married, changing jobs)
Emotions (excitement, uncertainty, satisfaction)
Time expressions (back then, nowadays, previously, since)
Practice tip: Record yourself talking about significant changes in your life for 1-2 minutes to improve fluency.
A practical topic with real-world applications, especially valuable if you plan to work in a German-speaking country.
How it appears in the exam:
Writing job application letters
Simulating job interviews
Reporting on work experiences
Understanding and responding to job advertisements
Essential vocabulary to master:
Application process (resume/CV, cover letter, references)
Professional qualifications (training, studies, experience)
Workplace routine (colleagues, tasks, working hours)
Personal qualities (reliable, team-oriented, flexible)
Practice tip: Create a German resume and practice introducing yourself professionally for 30-60 seconds.
An increasingly important topic in all exam formats, especially in reading comprehension and discussions.
How it appears in the exam:
Writing position statements on environmental protection
Understanding articles about sustainability
Suggesting solutions for environmental problems in discussions
Composing reports about local environmental projects
Essential vocabulary to master:
Environmental problems (climate change, pollution, deforestation)
Sustainable practices (recycling, saving energy, reusable)
Energy sources (renewable energy, solar energy, wind power)
Wildlife protection (endangered species, habitat, protection)
Practice tip: Listen to German podcasts about environmental topics and note down key vocabulary.
A versatile topic that can appear in all exam sections and allows creative use of language skills.
How it appears in the exam:
Discussing your future plans
Writing letters about your wishes
Composing stories about an ideal future
Participating in discussions about societal developments
Essential vocabulary to master:
Future plans (intend, plan, aim to)
Wishes (hope, dream of, wish for)
Possibilities (could, perhaps, possibly)
Time expressions (in ten years, soon, in the near future)
Practice tip: Write a short paragraph about where you see yourself in five years, using appropriate future tenses.
An emotional topic is particularly important in role plays and written expression.
How it appears in the exam:
Writing apologies
Conducting conflict conversations
Discussing friendships
Giving advice on interpersonal problems
Essential vocabulary to master:
Relationships (friendship, partnership, family)
Conflicts (argument, misunderstanding, disagreement)
Resolution approaches (apologize, find a compromise, forgive)
Feelings (disappointed, angry, relieved)
Practice tip: Role-play conflict resolution scenarios with a study partner to practice both vocabulary and appropriate expressions.
A relevant everyday topic that appears in various exam sections, especially in listening comprehension and role plays.
How it appears in the exam:
Conducting doctor's appointments
Understanding texts about healthy habits
Writing emails to friends about health tips
Participating in discussions about work-life balance
Essential vocabulary to master:
Body parts (head, back, knee)
Symptoms (headache, cough, fever)
Healthy lifestyle (eat a balanced diet, exercise, get enough sleep)
Medical care (doctor's appointment, prescription, health insurance)
Practice tip: Learn vocabulary for describing common illnesses and practice explaining symptoms clearly.
A diverse subject that often appears in reading comprehension and written examination.
How it appears in the exam:
Writing reviews of cultural events
Understanding articles about museums
Discussing leisure activities
Composing invitations to cultural events
Essential vocabulary to master:
Cultural institutions (theater, museum, cinema)
Events (concert, exhibition, festival)
Art forms (painting, music, literature)
Leisure activities (reading, hiking, cooking)
Practice tip: Visit the websites of German museums or theaters and summarize an exhibition or performance that interests you.
A challenging topic that plays a role, especially in reading comprehension and discussions.
How it appears in the exam:
Understanding texts about the EU
Expressing opinions on social topics
Discussing volunteer work
Writing letters to authorities
Essential vocabulary to master:
Political structures (government, parliament, election)
Social issues (equality, integration, education)
Volunteering (engage, help, support)
Opinion expressions (in my opinion, I think, I believe)
Practice tip: Read simplified German news articles and practice summarizing the main points.
A practical topic that often appears in listening comprehension and role plays.
How it appears in the exam:
Giving directions
Understanding city guides
Discussing advantages and disadvantages of city living
Writing complaints about traffic problems
Essential vocabulary to master:
Urban areas (downtown, suburb, neighborhood)
Infrastructure (public transportation, bike lane, pedestrian zone)
Orientation (right, left, straight ahead, intersection)
Housing (apartment hunting, rent, moving)
Practice tip: Practice giving directions to important landmarks in a German city of your choice.
A more complex topic that may appear in various exam sections, especially in telc and ÖSD formats.
How it appears in the exam:
Conducting bank conversations
Understanding articles about economic developments
Participating in discussions about consumer behavior
Writing texts about saving measures
Essential vocabulary to master:
Finances (account, transfer, loan)
Shopping (price, offer, discount)
Economic terms (inflation, job market, income)
Payment methods (credit card, invoice, installment payment)
Practice tip: Role-play opening a bank account or discussing a financial matter in German.
The three main B1 exam providers have distinct emphases:
Focus: Places special emphasis on cultural topics and intercultural communication
Format: Four separate modules that can be taken individually
Distinctive feature: More focus on German culture and society
Pass rate: 72% of first-time test takers succeed
Focus: Greater emphasis on everyday communication and practical situations
Format: Combined exam with all sections typically taken on the same day
Distinctive feature: More workplace and practical communication scenarios
Pass rate: 68% of candidates pass on their first attempt
Focus: Often includes topics related to Austria and Austrian culture
Format: Can be taken as a complete exam or in modules
Distinctive feature: Regional vocabulary and Austrian cultural references
Pass rate: Similar to other providers at approximately 70%
Create vocabulary lists: Develop a specialized vocabulary collection for each topic with keywords and phrases.
Thematic reading practice: Find simple German texts on the mentioned topics and practice reading comprehension.
Train listening skills: Use podcasts, YouTube videos, or language learning apps with thematically relevant content.
Practice writing tasks: Write short texts on various topics and have them corrected by a teacher or language exchange partner.
Oral practice: Find a conversation partner and discuss exam topics to develop fluency.
Familiarize yourself with exam formats: Get to know the specific task types of your B1 exam (Goethe, telc, or ÖSD).
Thorough preparation for the thematic content of the B1 exam not only gives you confidence in the test situation but also improves your general German skills for everyday use. The topics presented here cover the most common areas that may appear in the various B1 exams.
Remember: Regular practice with authentic materials is the key to success. Use every opportunity to apply your German - whether reading German news, listening to German music, or speaking with native speakers.
Good luck with your B1 exam!
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