Preparing for a short test | Learn German in English

About This Lesson

Use Preparing for a short test to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Wir haben bald einen kurzen Test, oder?

veer HAH-bən bahlt EYE-nən KOOR-tsən test OH-dər? We have a short test coming up, right?

Er umfasst die wichtigsten Abschnitte aus dieser Einheit.

air oom-FAHST dee VIKH-tikh-stən AHP-shnit-tuh ows DEE-zər EYE-n-hite. It covers the main sections from this unit.

Welchen Abschnitt sollte ich zuerst wiederholen?

VEL-khən AHP-shnitt SHOHL-tuh ikh tsoo-AIRST vee-dər-HOH-lən? Which section should I review first?

Beginne mit dem Hörverstehen, weil es normalerweise deine Punktzahl beeinflusst.

buh-GIN-nuh mit daym HUR-fair-SHTAY-ən, vile ess nor-MAH-lər-vy-zuh DYE-nuh POONKT-tsahl bə-EYE-n-FLOOST. Start with listening, since it usually affects your score.

Können wir zusammen ein paar Übungsfragen machen?

KURN-nən veer tsoo-ZAHM-ən eye-n pahr OOB-oongs-frah-gən MAKH-ən? Can we try some practice questions together?

Wir können ein paar kurze Fragen nehmen und jede Antwort überprüfen.

veer KURN-nən eye-n pahr KOOR-tsuh FRAH-gən NAY-mən oont YAY-duh AHNT-vohrt oo-bər-PROO-fən. We can use a few short questions and check each answer.

Ich werde nach jeder Frage meine Fehler durchsehen.

ikh VAIR-duh nahkh YAY-duh FRAH-guh MY-nuh FAY-lər DOORKH-zay-ən. I will review my mistakes after each one.

Das sollte dir bei der Vorbereitung helfen.

dahs SHOHL-tuh deer bye dair for-BYE-toong HEL-fən. That should help you prepare.

Word by Word

Wir “Wir” means “we” here and refers to the two people speaking. It is used as the subject in “Wir haben bald einen kurzen Test”. Use it when describing an action shared by you and at least one other person.

haben “haben” means “have” here, referring to an upcoming test. It is the form used with “Wir” in “Wir haben bald einen kurzen Test”. Use “haben” with a shared subject when talking about something you possess, experience, or have scheduled.

bald “bald” means “soon” and shows that the test is expected in the near future. It appears before “einen kurzen Test” in “Wir haben bald einen kurzen Test”. Use it to place an event shortly after the present.

einen “einen” is the indefinite article in “einen kurzen Test”, meaning “a” or “an”. Its form belongs with the masculine noun “Test” in this sentence. Use it before a masculine noun in the same object pattern, such as “Ich habe einen Test” as a new example.

kurzen “kurzen” means “short” and describes “Test” in “einen kurzen Test”. The ending matches the article-and-noun combination used here. Use it directly before a noun when describing a test or another thing as short.

Test “Test” means “test” and refers to the short assessment coming up. It is the main noun in “einen kurzen Test”. Use it for an assessment or set of questions used to check learning.

oder “oder” normally means “or”, but at the end of “Wir haben bald einen kurzen Test, oder?” it asks the listener to confirm the statement. It turns the sentence into a confirmation question. Use this ending when you expect the other person to agree or correct you.

Er “Er” means “he” in general, but here it refers back to “Test”, which is masculine in German. It is the subject of “Er umfasst die wichtigsten Abschnitte”. Use a pronoun like this to avoid repeating a previously mentioned masculine noun.

umfasst “umfasst” means “covers” or “includes” in “Er umfasst die wichtigsten Abschnitte”. It says that the test contains several sections. Use it with the thing being covered as its object, as in “Der Kurs umfasst drei Teile” as a new example.

die “die” introduces the plural noun phrase “die wichtigsten Abschnitte”, meaning “the most important sections”. Here it points to specific sections included in the test. Use “die” before a plural noun when referring to particular items.

wichtigsten “wichtigsten” means “most important” and identifies which sections are included: “die wichtigsten Abschnitte”. It highlights the sections with the greatest relevance for the test. Use it before a plural noun when selecting the highest-priority items.

Abschnitte “Abschnitte” means “sections” and refers to parts of the unit covered by the test. It is used in the phrase “die wichtigsten Abschnitte”. Use it for distinct parts of a lesson, unit, text, or course.

aus “aus” means “from” in “aus dieser Einheit”, showing the source of the sections. It links “Abschnitte” to the unit they come from. Use “aus” with a source, origin, or larger group from which something comes.

dieser “dieser” means “this” and points to the particular unit mentioned in “aus dieser Einheit”. It identifies the unit as the one currently being studied. Use it before a noun when referring to a specific nearby or current item.

Einheit “Einheit” means “unit” and refers to the current teaching section. It appears in “dieser Einheit” as the source of the test sections. Use it for a structured part of a course or textbook.

Welchen “Welchen” means “which” in the question “Welchen Abschnitt sollte ich zuerst wiederholen?”. It asks the listener to choose one section. Its form is used with the masculine object “Abschnitt” in this question.

Abschnitt “Abschnitt” means “section” and refers to one part of the unit that should be reviewed. It is the object selected by “Welchen”. Use it for one distinct part of a lesson, unit, or text.

sollte “sollte” expresses “should” here and asks for advice about the best review choice. It appears in “Welchen Abschnitt sollte ich zuerst wiederholen?”. Use it when asking or giving a recommendation about what someone ought to do.

ich “ich” means “I” and identifies the speaker as the person who will review the section. It is the subject in “sollte ich zuerst wiederholen”. Use it when describing your own action, plan, or question.

zuerst “zuerst” means “first” and indicates the order of review. It appears before “wiederholen” in “Welchen Abschnitt sollte ich zuerst wiederholen?”. Use it to identify the first step in a sequence.

wiederholen “wiederholen” means “review” or “repeat” here, referring to studying a section again. It follows “sollte” in “sollte ich zuerst wiederholen”. Use it with a lesson item, word, or question that you want to go through again.

Beginne “Beginne” means “start” and gives direct advice to begin with listening comprehension. It is the opening form in “Beginne mit dem Hörverstehen”. Use it when telling one person to start an activity or process.

mit “mit” means “with” and identifies the activity to start with in “Beginne mit dem Hörverstehen”. It introduces the chosen starting point. Use “mit” before the person, thing, or activity that accompanies or begins an action.

dem “dem” means “the” in “mit dem Hörverstehen”. Its form is required after “mit” with this noun phrase. Use it as the definite article in a similar “mit” phrase when the following noun has this form.

Hörverstehen “Hörverstehen” means “listening comprehension” and names the section to begin reviewing. It is the activity introduced by “mit dem”. Use it when referring to understanding spoken language in a lesson or test.

weil “weil” means “because” and introduces the reason for starting with listening comprehension. It connects the advice to “es normalerweise deine Punktzahl beeinflusst”. Use it to give a reason for a statement or recommendation.

es “es” means “it” and refers here to “das Hörverstehen”. It is the subject of “es normalerweise deine Punktzahl beeinflusst”. Use it to refer back to a previously mentioned neuter noun or idea.

normalerweise “normalerweise” means “usually” or “normally” and shows that the effect on the score is typical rather than guaranteed every time. It appears before “deine Punktzahl beeinflusst”. Use it to describe what generally happens.

deine “deine” means “your” and links the score to the person being addressed in “deine Punktzahl”. It shows possession or association with the listener. Use it before a noun when addressing one person informally.

Punktzahl “Punktzahl” means “score” and refers to the result received on the test. It is the object affected in “deine Punktzahl beeinflusst”. Use it when discussing the number of points earned in an assessment.

beeinflusst “beeinflusst” means “affects” or “influences” in “es normalerweise deine Punktzahl beeinflusst”. It says that listening comprehension has an effect on the score. Use it with the factor causing the effect and the result being affected.

Können “Können” means “can” in the question “Können wir zusammen ein paar Übungsfragen machen?”. It asks whether the two speakers are able or allowed to do the activity together. Use it at the beginning of a question to ask about a possible shared action.

zusammen “zusammen” means “together” and shows that both speakers will do the practice jointly. It appears with “machen” in “zusammen ein paar Übungsfragen machen”. Use it when people perform an activity with one another.

ein “ein” is part of the quantity expression “ein paar”, meaning “a few” or “some”. It works together with “paar” before “Übungsfragen”, so its meaning is not complete on its own here. Keep “ein paar” together when referring to a small number of countable things.

paar “paar” contributes to the expression “ein paar Übungsfragen”, which means “a few practice questions”. Together with “ein”, it indicates a small, unspecified number. Use “ein paar” before a plural noun when referring to a small number of items.

Übungsfragen “Übungsfragen” means “practice questions” and refers to questions used for preparation rather than the actual test. It is the object of “machen” in “ein paar Übungsfragen machen”. Use it for questions that help learners practise a skill or topic.

machen “machen” means “do” or “try” in “ein paar Übungsfragen machen”. With “Übungsfragen”, it describes completing practice questions. Use it with an activity or task that someone carries out.

kurze “kurze” means “short” and describes “Fragen” in “ein paar kurze Fragen”. It indicates that the questions are brief. Use it directly before a noun when describing questions or another item as short.

Fragen “Fragen” means “questions” and refers to the short questions selected for practice. It is used in “ein paar kurze Fragen nehmen”. Use it for questions asked to obtain information or for test practice.

nehmen “nehmen” means “take” or “use” here, referring to selecting a few questions for the exercise. It appears after “können” in “Wir können ein paar kurze Fragen nehmen”. Use it when choosing or using an available item for a task.

und “und” means “and” and joins the two actions “nehmen” and “überprüfen”. It shows that the speakers will use questions and then check every answer. Use it to connect related words, phrases, or actions.

jede “jede” means “each” or “every” in “jede Antwort”. It refers to the answers one by one, without leaving any out. Use it before a singular noun when considering all members of a group individually.

Antwort “Antwort” means “answer” and refers to each response to a practice question. It is the object of “überprüfen” in “jede Antwort überprüfen”. Use it for a response to a question.

überprüfen “überprüfen” means “check” and describes examining whether each answer is correct. It follows “können” in “jede Antwort überprüfen”. Use it with an answer, result, detail, or other item that needs to be checked.

werde “werde” expresses “will” here and helps form the speaker’s future plan. It is followed by “durchsehen” at the end of “Ich werde nach jeder Frage meine Fehler durchsehen”. Use it with an infinitive to state what you plan or intend to do later.

nach “nach” means “after” in “nach jeder Frage”. It places the review of the mistakes after each question. Use it before an event or time point to show what happens afterward.

jeder “jeder” means “each” or “every” in “nach jeder Frage”. It shows that the action happens after one question at a time. Use it before a singular noun when referring to every individual occurrence in a sequence.

Frage “Frage” means “question” and refers to each practice question completed. It appears in the time expression “nach jeder Frage”. Use it for one question, especially when discussing its answer or sequence.

meine “meine” means “my” and links the mistakes to the speaker in “meine Fehler”. It shows possession or personal responsibility. Use it before a noun when referring to something belonging to or associated with yourself.

Fehler “Fehler” means “mistakes” and refers to incorrect responses the speaker wants to examine. It is the object of “durchsehen” in “meine Fehler durchsehen”. Use it when identifying errors in answers, work, or language use.

durchsehen “durchsehen” means “look over” or “review” here, referring to examining the mistakes after each question. It is used as a complete infinitive after “werde”. Use it with notes, answers, or mistakes when reviewing them carefully.

Das “Das” means “that” here and refers to the review activity just described. It is the subject of “Das sollte dir bei der Vorbereitung helfen”. Use it to point back to a previously mentioned action, idea, or situation.

dir “dir” means “to you” and identifies the person who benefits from the help in “dir ... helfen”. It is used with the verb “helfen”. Use it when saying that something helps one person informally.

bei “bei” means “with” or “in connection with” in “bei der Vorbereitung”. It identifies the area in which the help is useful. Use “bei” with an activity or process when describing support during that activity.

der “der” means “the” in “bei der Vorbereitung”. Its form appears after “bei” with the feminine noun “Vorbereitung”. Use it as the definite article in a similar phrase with this noun.

Vorbereitung “Vorbereitung” means “preparation” and refers to getting ready for the test. It is the activity supported by the review in “bei der Vorbereitung”. Use it when talking about preparation for an exam, meeting, task, or event.

helfen “helfen” means “help” in “Das sollte dir bei der Vorbereitung helfen”. It describes the review activity as providing support for the learner’s preparation. Use it with the person receiving help, such as “dir helfen”, followed by the area or task being supported.

Grammar Points

weil + Verb am Ende

Die Vorbereitung hilft, weil sie das Hörverstehen beeinflusst.

dee for-BYE-toong hilft, vile zee dahs HUR-fair-SHTAY-ən bə-EYE-n-FLOOST.

The preparation helps because it affects listening comprehension.

Nach „weil“ steht das konjugierte Verb im Deutschen am Ende des Nebensatzes.

German Vocabulary

Abschnitt noun

AHP-shnitt section Abschnitte

Er umfasst die wichtigsten Abschnitte.

bald adv

bahlt soon

Wir haben bald einen kurzen Test.

beginnen verb

buh-GIN-nən to begin; to start Beginne

Beginne mit dem Hörverstehen.

Einheit noun

EYE-n-hite unit

aus dieser Einheit

Hörverstehen noun

HUR-fair-SHTAY-ən listening comprehension

Beginne mit dem Hörverstehen.

normalerweise adv

nor-MAH-lər-vy-zuh usually; normally

weil es normalerweise deine Punktzahl beeinflusst

Test noun

test test

Wir haben bald einen kurzen Test.

umfassen verb

oom-FAH-sən to cover; to include umfasst

Er umfasst die wichtigsten Abschnitte.

weil conj

vile because

weil es normalerweise deine Punktzahl beeinflusst

wichtig adj

VIKH-tikh important wichtigsten

die wichtigsten Abschnitte

wiederholen verb

vee-dər-HOH-lən to review; to repeat

Welchen Abschnitt sollte ich zuerst wiederholen?

zuerst adv

tsoo-AIRST first

Welchen Abschnitt sollte ich zuerst wiederholen?

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Which section should I review first?

Show Answer

Welchen Abschnitt sollte ich zuerst wiederholen?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

soon

Show Answer

bald

to begin; to start

Show Answer

Beginne

to review; to repeat

Show Answer

wiederholen

test

Show Answer

Test