German Listening Practice A1: 2 Dialogues + Questions
Can you understand a short German conversation about names, family and hobbies? This is a listening exercise for A1 learners. Two short role-play dialogues, each followed by seven questions, train you to catch the key information: who someone is, where they come from, where they live, what they do in their free time and when they meet. Watch the video first without reading, then use this page to check your answers.
How to Use This Listening Exercise
- Watch the video and listen to dialogue A. Do not read anything yet.
- Answer the seven questions after the dialogue, in German if you can.
- Listen again, then compare your answers with the facts below.
- Do the same with dialogue B.
The two people in the dialogues are role-play characters, so the facts are not real biographies.
Dialogue A: Names, Origin, Family
In the first dialogue, two men introduce themselves and talk about where they come from, where they live now, which languages they speak and their families. Here is what you should be able to find out:
| Question topic | Luzi (role) | Johannes (role) |
|---|---|---|
| Surname | - | Müller (M-Ü-L-L-E-R) |
| Where from? | Luzern, not Zürich | Heidelberg, not Austria |
| Where does he live now? | Rom | Madrid |
| Job or languages | Deutsch, Englisch, a bit of Italienisch and Französisch | Teaches German |
| Parents | live in Zürich | live in Heidelberg |
| Siblings | a brother in Chicago (married, two children) | a sister, Erika (29, Ärztin, lives in Heidelberg) |
Sample questions in the style of the exercise:
- Kommt Luzi aus Zürich? - Nein, er kommt aus Luzern.
- Wo lebt Luzi im Moment? - Er lebt in Rom.
- Woher kommt Johannes? - Er kommt aus Heidelberg.
- Wie schreibt man Müller? - M-Ü-L-L-E-R.
Dialogue B: Hobbies and an Appointment
In the second dialogue, the two talk about free time and arrange a meeting.
| Topic | Johannes (role) | Luzi (role) |
|---|---|---|
| Hobbies | Fußball and Schwimmen | Squash and Malen |
| When? | twice a week, on Monday and Friday | squash on Tuesday evening at 8 pm |
They arrange to meet on Thursday at 19:30.
Useful Tips for A1 Listening
- Listen for question words. Woher asks for the origin, wo for the place, wann for the time, wie for how something is written or done.
- Times: 19:30 is halb acht in spoken German, literally half to eight.
- Numbers and letters: names are often spelled out. Practise the alphabet so you can write them down quickly.
- You do not need every word. Focus on the information the questions ask for.
What to Learn Next
Practise the basics in How to Introduce Yourself in German and Basic German Question Words Explained. Preparing for the exam? Try Goethe Zertifikat A1 HÖREN.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this video about?
It is an A1 German listening exercise with two short dialogues. After each dialogue there are seven questions about the information you heard.
Who is this listening exercise for?
It is made for A1 learners. You should know basic questions, numbers, the alphabet and simple sentences about yourself and your family.
How should I practise with it?
Listen without reading first, answer the questions, then listen again and check your answers. Repeat until you understand every detail.
Are the people in the dialogues real?
No. The two presenters play roles, so the names, cities and families are only there for the exercise.
How do I say 19:30 in German?
In spoken German you say halb acht, which literally means half to eight.
Want to go from understanding simple dialogues to speaking with confidence? Our A1 German online course guides you step by step.
