Personal and social life
Describe people, home, clothes, hobbies and holidays, and support your opinions with clear details.
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. This lesson is shared with German 0525 because Cambridge states the subject content is otherwise the same; 7159 is graded 9–1. Cambridge lists 7159 as a limited-availability 9–1 qualification: in June, zone 3 and centres in Oman and UAE; in November, zone 3 only. Confirm your centre and series before choosing this code.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which sentence gives a preference and reason?
What you will learn
- Introduce yourself and describe family, friends, relationships and character.
- Describe rooms, furniture, appliances and household routines.
- Discuss colours, clothing, hobbies, sport, leisure and holidays.
- Express and explain likes, dislikes and comparisons.
Describe people and places
German nouns begin with a capital letter, and it helps to learn each noun with its article: «der Bruder», «die Wohnung», «das Zimmer». Use «mein/meine» to show possession and «er/sie/es» to refer back clearly.
Adjective endings depend on grammatical gender, case and the determiner before the noun. Start by noticing the whole phrase: «ein großes Zimmer», «mit meiner Schwester». Do not learn a single ending as if it worked everywhere.
Give a preference and a reason
Use «ich mag» with an object («Ich mag den Film») and «ich spiele gern» for an activity. «Mir gefällt» and «mir gefallen» change with singular and plural things: «Mir gefällt das Zimmer», «Mir gefallen die Fotos».
Support a comparison with evidence: «Das Fahrrad ist schneller als der Bus» or «Am liebsten spiele ich Volleyball, weil es ein Teamsport ist.» A personal preference is not a universal fact.
Sources for this lesson
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 subject page
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 syllabus for exams in 2025–2027 · Version 2
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 syllabus update for 2025–2027
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 syllabus for exams in 2028–2030
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 2028 vocabulary list
Pause and explain
Complete the phrase: «Ich wohne ___ meiner Familie.»
Worked example
Read: «Meine Cousine teilt sich ein Zimmer mit ihrem Bruder. Neben dem Fenster steht ein kleiner Schreibtisch. Sie zeichnet dort gern, weil es hell ist.» Where does she draw, and why?
Show the worked solution
- Find the place phrase «neben dem Fenster».
- Connect «dort» to that location.
- Use the stated reason, not an assumption.
Answer She draws at the small desk beside the window because the room is bright. «Dort» refers to that place.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →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.
Describe your room in four German sentences: one object, its colour, where it is and what you like doing there.
Give me a hint
Use an article with each noun, one position phrase and one preference.
Compare my reasoning
- Name the room or an object with its article.
- State a colour and position.
- Add «gern» or «gefällt mir» with a reason.
Example: «Mein Zimmer ist klein. Der blaue Schreibtisch steht neben dem Fenster. Mir gefällt der Platz, weil es dort ruhig ist. Ich lese dort gern.»
Look for these in your work
- Uses nouns with articles
- Gives a clear position
- Explains a personal preference
Read: «Letztes Jahr fuhr meine Familie ans Meer. Mein Bruder wollte jeden Tag schwimmen, aber ich machte lieber lange Spaziergänge. Am Abend spielten wir Karten.» Name one activity for each person and one shared evening activity.
Give me a hint
Track the contrast «aber» and the subject of each verb.
Compare my reasoning
- Find what the brother wanted to do.
- Find the writer's preference.
- Identify what «wir» did in the evening.
The brother wanted to swim each day; the writer preferred long walks; in the evening they played cards together.
Look for these in your work
- Assigns each activity to the right person
- Recognises the contrast
- Identifies the shared activity
Compare two holiday choices for a family: a city break with museums and public transport, or a campsite with hiking. Recommend one and give a reason in German.
Give me a hint
Compare one feature of each, then make a recommendation for this family.
Compare my reasoning
- State one feature of each holiday.
- Use «als» or another clear contrast.
- Make a recommendation with «weil».
Example: «Der Campingplatz ist ruhiger als die Stadt. Für unsere Familie empfehle ich aber die Städtereise, weil die Museen auch bei Regen geöffnet sind und wir kein Auto brauchen.» The best choice depends on the family's needs.
Look for these in your work
- Compares both options
- Makes a clear recommendation
- Gives a relevant reason
Common mistakes
- Learning a German noun without its gender/article
- Using «gern» as if it directly described the object
- Changing adjective endings without checking case and determiner
What can you explain now?
Which phrase means “I like playing football”?
Compare with the explanation
Ich spiele gern Fußball
«Gern» describes enjoying the activity.
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Make it stick
Before leaving personal and social life, 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.