Reading from 2028
Practise the six-group all-selected-response Reading route introduced for 2028 examinations.
Exam scope and assessment notes
All German texts, listening scripts, prompts, model responses, examples and exercises here are original StudyForA practice, not Cambridge assessment material. The map covers the five broad topic areas, the published grammar categories and the paper formats for both syllabus cycles; Cambridge describes its topic sub-lists as examples rather than an exhaustive vocabulary boundary. The separate 2028 vocabulary spreadsheet is linked but has not been reconciled word by word. German-language specialist review, comprehensive vocabulary auditing and full timed paper simulations remain outstanding. Browser speech synthesis is not Cambridge audio and cannot guarantee accent or pronunciation. Speaking checklists and writing review are practice aids, not an examiner mark or Cambridge moderation. This is not a complete 130-hour course. Confirm exam year, series, zone and entry with your school and Cambridge. Use the paper lesson that matches your examination year; speaking and writing practice does not award official marks.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
A notice says an event is free but registration is required. Which conclusion follows?
What you will learn
- Match short descriptions to pictures and notices.
- Read messages, select a gap word and match statements to short texts.
- Understand a longer article and distinguish detail from opinion.
- Use the 40-mark all multiple-choice/matching format for the correct exam series.
Know the six task families
The revised paper is one hour and 40 marks: short statement-to-picture matching; notices in a shared context; a short text with multiple choice; a multiple-choice gap fill; matching statements to four texts; and multiple choice on a longer article.
This is a selected-response paper. Unlike the earlier Reading paper, answers are not written as short German phrases. The syllabus page says the new format begins in March 2028 in India and in June 2028 onwards elsewhere.
Use evidence to rule out distractors
Circle the detail each option depends on: time, person, place, reason or attitude. Cross out an option contradicted by negation, a correction or a different subject.
In a gap-fill task, read the whole sentence and nearby clauses; grammar and meaning both matter. For longer texts, find the line or phrase that supports the choice rather than selecting a plausible fact from memory.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
A candidate in India takes the March 2028 exam. Which Reading route applies?
Worked example
A library notice says: «Der Workshop findet am Donnerstag um 15 Uhr statt. Die Teilnahme ist kostenlos, aber eine Anmeldung bis Dienstag ist nötig.» Which statement is correct?
Show the worked solution
- Check the event day and time.
- Compare free participation with the registration condition.
- Choose the option supported by both facts.
Answer The workshop is free, but participants must register by Tuesday. Free does not mean registration is unnecessary.
From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Match each message to a person: A needs a quiet place to study; B needs a bus after 20:00; C wants a free sports activity. Options: library, late bus, open sports session.
Give me a hint
Match the stated need, not just a repeated word.
Compare my reasoning
- Underline each person's key requirement.
- Find the option that satisfies it.
- Check that no option is reused unless instructed.
A → library; B → late bus; C → open sports session.
Look for these in your work
- Uses the requirement in each message
- Keeps the matches distinct
- Does not assume extra details
Choose the gap word: «Mara bleibt zu Hause, ___ sie sich ausruhen muss.» Options: «weil», «aber», «trotzdem», «oder». Explain the verb position.
Give me a hint
Read for the reason and check the clause order.
Compare my reasoning
- Identify the logical link.
- Place the finite verb.
- Reject connectors that do not express a reason.
«Weil» fits the reason: «..., weil sie sich ausruhen muss.» The finite modal verb «muss» goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Look for these in your work
- Chooses the reason connector
- Uses verb-final order
- Explains why alternatives do not fit
Write a short original notice with one free event, one registration deadline and one venue change. Create four options with one correct conclusion and three evidence-based distractors.
Give me a hint
Make each option test one distinct detail.
Compare my reasoning
- Write all three facts clearly.
- Build distractors by changing one fact at a time.
- Mark the correct choice and explain the evidence.
Example: «Der Filmabend ist kostenlos. Melden Sie sich bis Montag an. Wegen der Reparatur findet er im Raum 4 statt.» Correct: no fee, registration by Monday, room 4. Distractors can change the fee, deadline or room. The text is original practice.
Look for these in your work
- Includes all three facts
- Distractors reflect precise contrasts
- Explanation points to text evidence
Common mistakes
- Using the older short-answer format for a 2028 paper
- Ignoring a condition after «aber»
- Choosing a plausible distractor without a text clue
What can you explain now?
What is the response format for Paper 2 from 2028?
Compare with the explanation
All multiple-choice and matching
The revised paper has six groups of selected-response tasks.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Before leaving reading from 2028, explain one idea from memory, answer the checkpoint and name one point to practise again.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.