20 CLEP German Language practice questions, with answers and video walkthroughs
Twenty representative CLEP German Language questions, each with the answer and a short explanation of why the wrong choices trap test-takers.
By Alex Stone4 min readLast fact-checked January 1970
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Twenty practice questions for CLEP German Language (Level 1 and 2), in the real exam's style. Score 16 of 20 here and you are in passing range. Miss more than four, and the pattern of your misses points straight at the topic to review next. Every question below is explained on video, including why the wrong answers trap most test-takers.
What students preparing for this exam tell us is that steady practice in the exam's format, with an explanation for every miss, is what moves a score. Use these the same way: answer, check, and read why the wrong choices are tempting. For the full plan around them, see the CLEP German Language (Level 1 and 2) pillar guide.
Watch the full video walkthrough above, then test yourself on the twenty questions below. Each one is explained on the video, including why the wrong answers trap most test-takers.
Questions 1 to 5 (questions 1 to 5)
1. According to the weather report, what will the afternoon be like? Die Sonne scheint. The report says 'am Nachmittag scheint die Sonne' (in the afternoon the sun shines).
2. What is the announcement telling passengers? Der Zug hat Verspätung. It states the train 'hat heute etwa zwanzig Minuten Verspätung' (is about twenty minutes late).
3. What is the speaker looking for? Die Post. The speaker says 'Ich suche die Post' (I am looking for the post office).
4. What does Anna want to do on Saturday? Ins Kino gehen. Anna says 'Ich möchte gern ins Kino gehen' (I would like to go to the cinema).
5. What does the customer order to eat? Eine Suppe. To the question of what to eat, the customer answers 'Eine Suppe, bitte' (a soup, please).
Questions 6 to 10 (questions 6 to 10)
6. What is the store announcing? Das Kaufhaus schließt bald. The announcement says 'Das Kaufhaus schließt in zehn Minuten' (the store closes in ten minutes).
7. What is Thomas's profession? Er ist Arzt. The speaker says 'Er ist Arzt' (he is a doctor).
8. What should you do in case of an emergency? Die Nummer einhundertzwölf wählen. The message says 'Bei einem Notfall wählen Sie die Nummer einhundertzwölf' (in an emergency, dial 112).
9. How is the speaker traveling on vacation? Mit dem Auto. The speaker says 'Wir fahren mit dem Auto ans Meer' (we are driving to the sea by car).
10. How much does the T-shirt cost? Fünfzehn Euro. The salesperson says 'Es kostet fünfzehn Euro' (it costs fifteen euros).
Questions 11 to 15 (questions 11 to 15)
11. What gift did Lena receive? Ein Buch. Lena writes 'Das Buch gefällt mir sehr' (I like the book very much), thanking her grandma for it.
12. When is the library closed? Am Sonntag. The notice says 'Sonntags ist geschlossen' (it is closed on Sundays).
13. What is being sold in this ad? Ein Fahrrad. The ad begins 'Zum Verkauf: Fahrrad' (for sale: bicycle).
14. Why can't Sven come this evening? Er ist krank. Sven writes 'Ich bin krank und bleibe im Bett' (I am sick and am staying in bed).
15. Until what time is breakfast served? Bis zehn Uhr. The menu says breakfast is 'von sieben bis zehn Uhr' (from 7 to 10), so it ends at 10.
Questions 16 to 20 (questions 16 to 20)
16. Why is the kitchen the writer's favorite room? Weil er gern kocht. The text says 'weil ich sehr gern koche' (because I really like to cook).
17. What does the sign ask people to do? Die Treppe benutzen. Because the elevator is out of order, the sign says 'Bitte benutzen Sie die Treppe' (please use the stairs).
18. What are guests asked to bring? Etwas zu trinken. The invitation says 'Bitte bring etwas zu trinken mit' (please bring something to drink).
19. What does the writer do in the evening? Die Freundin im Café treffen. The text says 'Am Abend treffe ich meine Freundin im Café' (in the evening I meet my friend at the café).
20. Why will Tim come home later today? Weil er Fußballtraining hat. Tim writes 'weil ich Fußballtraining habe' (because I have soccer practice).
What to do with your score
The point of twenty questions is not the twenty, it is the pattern. Mark which topic each miss came from, then spend your next session on that topic alone. None of it requires starting over, only tightening the spots that cost you points.
A single twenty-question set is a snapshot, not a study plan. To pass with margin you need volume: enough questions, in the exam's format, with explanations that turn a wrong answer into a correction. That is what Flying Prep's CLEP German Language (Level 1 and 2) practice is built for: every question explained, with a free trial before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
How many of these 20 do I need to get right to be on track?
About 16. A passing score works out to roughly 80 percent, so clearing 16 of 20 consistently across a few sets puts you in passing range.
Are these the same questions that appear on the real exam?
No. These are representative practice questions in the exam's style. The real exam draws from a much larger pool, which is why practice volume, not memorizing any single set, is what moves your score.
Where do I get more questions like these?
The Flying Prep CLEP German Language (Level 1 and 2) question bank has every question explained and reviewed against the current outline. Start a free trial and drill the topics your misses point to.
Alex Stone founded Flying Prep after earning her bachelor's degree from Thomas Edison State University using 27 CLEP and DSST exams to test out of 99 credits. She built Flying Prep to help working adults and returning students take the same path.
See the full CLEP German Language (Level 1 and 2) study guide for the practice quiz, study plan, and credit details.