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German Advanced Language Skills Syllabus

The Advanced Language Skills syllabus for German in full: 2 chapters and 4 topics, every one listed below, plus 51 Advanced Language Skills flashcards with answers.

2Chapters
4Topics
51Flashcards

Advanced Language Skills syllabus: all 2 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Advanced Grammar

     2 topics
    • Complex Sentence Structures
    • Idiomatic Expressions

  2. Cultural Context

     2 topics
    • Understanding German Culture
    • German History and Traditions

German Advanced Language Skills flashcards — 51 questions with answers

  1. What is a Nebensatz (subordinate clause) and where does the conjugated verb go in it?

    A Nebensatz is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone. In it, the conjugated (finite) verb moves to the very end, e.g. 'Ich weiß, dass er heute kommt.'

  2. In a German main clause, which position does the finite verb always occupy? (The V2 rule)

    The finite verb always stands in second position (V2), regardless of what occupies first position, e.g. 'Morgen fahre ich nach Berlin.'

  3. How do you form a Relativsatz (relative clause) and what determines the relative pronoun's gender/number vs. its case?

    A relative clause modifies a noun. The relative pronoun's gender and number come from the antecedent noun; its case comes from its function inside the relative clause, e.g. 'Der Mann, den ich sehe.'

  4. What is the word order in a subordinate clause that contains a modal verb plus infinitive, and where does the finite modal go?

    The finite modal verb goes to the very end, after the infinitive: 'Ich weiß, dass er kommen muss.'

  5. Explain the Konjunktiv II and one of its main uses in complex sentences.

    Konjunktiv II expresses hypothetical/unreal situations, polite requests, and wishes. Example: 'Wenn ich Zeit hätte, würde ich dir helfen' (if I had time, I would help you).

  6. How is an indirect (reported) question embedded as a subordinate clause when there is no question word?

    Use the conjunction 'ob' (whether) and send the finite verb to the end: 'Sie fragt, ob er kommt.'

  7. What is a Konsekutivsatz and which conjunction typically introduces it?

    A consecutive clause expresses a result/consequence, introduced by 'sodass' (so that): 'Es regnete stark, sodass wir zu Hause blieben.'

  8. Distinguish 'weil' from 'denn' in expressing cause, including the word-order difference.

    'weil' is subordinating (verb goes to the end): 'Ich bleibe, weil ich müde bin.' 'denn' is coordinating (normal V2 order follows): 'Ich bleibe, denn ich bin müde.'

  9. How do you form a German passive sentence (Vorgangspassiv) in the present tense?

    Use 'werden' (conjugated) + past participle: 'Das Haus wird gebaut' (the house is being built). The agent is introduced with 'von'.

  10. What is an Infinitivsatz with 'zu', and when is 'zu' inserted with separable verbs?

    An infinitive clause uses 'zu' + infinitive, often after 'um', 'ohne', 'anstatt'. With separable verbs, 'zu' goes between the prefix and the stem: 'anzurufen', 'einzukaufen'.

  11. In a two-part conjunction sentence with 'entweder ... oder', what happens to word order after each part?

    'entweder ... oder' is coordinating, so normal main-clause (V2) order applies in each part: 'Entweder gehe ich, oder er kommt.'

  12. What is the order of Temporal, Kausal, Modal, Lokal (TeKaMoLo) adverbials in a German sentence?

    Adverbials generally follow the order Time – Cause/Reason – Manner – Place: 'Ich fahre morgen (T) wegen der Arbeit (K) mit dem Auto (M) nach Köln (L).'

  13. How does a temporal 'nachdem' clause interact with tense (the sequence-of-tenses rule)?

    'nachdem' requires a tense shift: the earlier action is one step further back, e.g. Perfekt/Plusquamperfekt in the nachdem-clause with Präsens/Präteritum in the main clause: 'Nachdem er gegessen hatte, ging er.'

  14. What does the idiom 'Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof' mean?

    It means 'I don't understand anything at all' / 'It's all Greek to me' (literally: I only understand train station).

  15. What does 'die Daumen drücken' mean and what is the English equivalent?

    Literally 'to press the thumbs'; it means 'to keep one's fingers crossed' / to wish someone luck.

  16. Explain the idiom 'Tomaten auf den Augen haben'.

    Literally 'to have tomatoes on the eyes'; it means to fail to see something obvious that is right in front of you.

  17. What does 'die Katze im Sack kaufen' mean?

    Literally 'to buy the cat in the sack'; it means to buy/accept something without checking it first, i.e. to buy a pig in a poke.

  18. What is meant by 'jemandem einen Bären aufbinden'?

    Literally 'to tie a bear onto someone'; it means to tell someone a tall tale or trick them into believing something untrue.

  19. Explain the idiom 'ins Gras beißen'.

    Literally 'to bite into the grass'; it is a colloquial way to say 'to die' / to kick the bucket.

  20. What does 'die Nase voll haben' mean?

    Literally 'to have the nose full'; it means to be fed up with something / to have had enough.

Show the other 31 Advanced Language Skills flashcards

  1. What does the expression 'Schwein haben' mean?

    Literally 'to have pig'; it means to be lucky / to have good fortune.

  2. Explain 'jemandem auf den Keks gehen'.

    Literally 'to go on someone's cookie'; it is a colloquial way to say 'to get on someone's nerves' / to annoy someone.

  3. What does 'das ist nicht mein Bier' mean?

    Literally 'that is not my beer'; it means 'that is none of my business' / not my problem.

  4. What does the idiom 'alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei' humorously convey?

    Literally 'everything has one end, only the sausage has two'; it playfully states that everything must come to an end.

  5. What does 'die Kirche im Dorf lassen' mean?

    Literally 'to leave the church in the village'; it means to not exaggerate / to keep things in proportion / stay reasonable.

  6. Explain 'jemandem die Daumenschrauben anlegen' — figurative meaning.

    Literally 'to apply the thumbscrews to someone'; it means to put pressure on someone to force them to do or reveal something.

  7. What does the idiom 'um den heißen Brei herumreden' mean?

    Literally 'to talk around the hot porridge'; it means to beat around the bush / to avoid getting to the point.

  8. What is the German cultural concept of 'Gemütlichkeit'?

    An untranslatable notion of warmth, coziness, belonging, and relaxed good cheer — a comfortable, friendly atmosphere often shared with others.

  9. What is 'Duzen' vs. 'Siezen' and why does the distinction matter socially in German?

    'Duzen' means addressing someone informally with 'du'; 'Siezen' means using the formal 'Sie'. Choosing correctly signals respect, closeness, and social hierarchy; 'Sie' is default with strangers and in professional contexts.

  10. What is the significance of 'Pünktlichkeit' in German culture?

    Punctuality is highly valued as a sign of respect and reliability; arriving on time (or slightly early) for appointments is a strong social norm.

  11. What is the German tradition of 'Kaffee und Kuchen'?

    An afternoon social ritual (roughly 3–4 pm) of coffee and cake, especially on weekends, where family or friends gather to relax and chat.

  12. What does 'Feierabend' mean and what cultural attitude does it reflect?

    'Feierabend' is the end of the workday / free time after work. It reflects the German value of separating work from personal life and enjoying earned leisure.

  13. What is 'Vereinsleben' and why is it important in German society?

    'Vereinsleben' is club life — participation in registered clubs (Vereine) for sports, music, hobbies, etc. It is a cornerstone of German community life and civic engagement.

  14. Explain the German recycling and environmental value reflected in 'Mülltrennung' and 'Pfand'.

    'Mülltrennung' is the strict separation of waste into categories (paper, glass, organic, plastic). 'Pfand' is a deposit paid on bottles/cans and refunded on return — both reflect strong environmental consciousness.

  15. What is the cultural meaning of 'Brot' and the German bread tradition?

    Germany has one of the world's richest bread cultures with hundreds of varieties; bread is central to daily meals, and 'Abendbrot' (evening bread meal) is a traditional light supper.

  16. What is 'Schrebergarten' (Kleingarten) culture?

    A small leased allotment garden, typically in urban areas, where people grow plants and relax. It reflects a love of gardening, order, and green space away from city apartments.

  17. What is the 'FKK' cultural phenomenon in Germany?

    'FKK' (Freikörperkultur) is the free-body/naturist culture, a socially accepted tradition of nudity at designated beaches, parks, and saunas, especially strong in the former East.

  18. What is the significance of the 'Einschulung' and the 'Schultüte'?

    'Einschulung' is a child's first day of school, celebrated as a milestone. The child receives a 'Schultüte' (a large cone filled with sweets and small gifts) to make the start of school special.

  19. What role does 'Sauna' culture play, and what is the etiquette regarding 'Aufguss'?

    Sauna is popular for health and relaxation, often done nude with towels for hygiene. 'Aufguss' is the ritual of pouring scented water on the hot stones, often performed by an attendant with towel-waving.

  20. When and why was the Berlin Wall built, and when did it fall?

    The Berlin Wall was built by the GDR in 1961 to stop emigration to the West; it fell on 9 November 1989, symbolizing the end of the division and leading to German reunification in 1990.

  21. What was the Holy Roman Empire and roughly when did it end?

    The Holy Roman Empire was a multi-ethnic complex of central European territories under an emperor, existing from 962 CE until its dissolution in 1806 under pressure from Napoleon.

  22. Who was Martin Luther and what did he initiate in 1517?

    Martin Luther was a German monk and theologian who, in 1517, posted his 95 Theses in Wittenberg, initiating the Protestant Reformation and later translating the Bible into German.

  23. When was Germany first unified as a nation-state and under whom?

    Germany was first unified in 1871 as the German Empire, engineered by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck under Prussian leadership, with Wilhelm I as Kaiser.

  24. What was the Weimar Republic and what period did it cover?

    The Weimar Republic (1919–1933) was Germany's first democratic republic after WWI. It faced hyperinflation, political extremism, and economic crisis, ending with the Nazi rise to power.

  25. What key events mark the German reunification of 1990?

    On 3 October 1990 (now 'Tag der Deutschen Einheit', a national holiday) East and West Germany were formally reunited into a single Federal Republic.

  26. What is the origin and tradition of the Oktoberfest?

    Oktoberfest began in Munich in 1810 to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig; it is now the world's largest folk festival (Volksfest), famous for beer, Tracht, and Bavarian food.

  27. What is the tradition of the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market)?

    Christmas markets, dating to the late Middle Ages, appear in town squares during Advent, selling Glühwein (mulled wine), Lebkuchen, crafts, and ornaments in a festive atmosphere.

  28. What is 'Karneval' / 'Fasching' and where is it especially celebrated?

    Karneval (also Fastnacht/Fasching) is the pre-Lenten carnival season with parades, costumes, and satire, especially prominent in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mainz, and southern Germany.

  29. What does the German flag's black-red-gold tricolor symbolize historically?

    The colors trace to the 1848 revolutions and Napoleonic-era volunteer uniforms, symbolizing German unity, freedom, and democracy; adopted officially by the Weimar Republic and again post-1949.

  30. What is 'Tag der Deutschen Einheit' and when is it observed?

    The Day of German Unity is Germany's national holiday, observed on 3 October, commemorating the 1990 reunification of East and West Germany.

  31. What was the significance of the Brothers Grimm to German cultural tradition?

    Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm collected and published German folk tales ('Kinder- und Hausmärchen', from 1812) and began the definitive German dictionary, shaping national folklore and linguistics.

German Advanced Language Skills FAQ

What is in the German Advanced Language Skills syllabus?

German Advanced Language Skills is split into 2 chapters: Advanced Grammar and Cultural Context. Together they contain 4 topics.

How many chapters are in German Advanced Language Skills?

2 chapters, containing 4 topics. The largest chapter is Advanced Grammar, with 2 topics.

Are there flashcards for German Advanced Language Skills?

Yes — a 51-card Advanced Language Skills deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.