What a short-answer question is: A short-answer question (die Kurzantwort) asks you to answer a question about the text in a few words or a short phrase — not a full essay. What's marked is whether your answer is correct and supported by the text, NOT your writing style. Sometimes the question tells you to use your own words („mit eigenen Worten“); other times you may lift the words straight from the text.
The exam instruction you'll see: In the real German Paper 2 exam, this question type is introduced by an instruction like:
„Beantworten Sie die folgenden Fragen.“ → Answer the following questions.
„z. B. Welche…? · Wie…? · Warum…? · Aus welchen Ländern…?“ → e.g. Which…? · How…? · Why…? · From which countries…?
What you have to do: Answer briefly using information from the text — usually the exact words. Give EXACTLY what is asked and nothing extra; a full sentence is not required.
- die Kurzantwort
- short answer (a few words or a short phrase)
- mit eigenen Worten
- in your own words (paraphrase — don't copy)
- dem Text zufolge / laut Text
- according to the text (the answer is in the passage)
- antworten / beantworten
- to answer / to answer (a question)
- umschreiben / paraphrasieren
- to paraphrase (say the same idea in different words)
- wörtlich abschreiben
- to copy word-for-word (avoid when told to use own words)
Content over style: In a short-answer reading question, content correctness is what earns the mark — not long sentences or perfect grammar. Give the right information, briefly, and you score. A minor language slip in a reading answer is usually not penalised.
Free preview
Reading it is one thing — hearing it is another
You're reading the free notes. Aimnova Pro unlocks the full study experience — and you can try it with your first topic free to keep:
- Audio on every wordTap any vocabulary word or example to hear it read aloud in natural German.
- FlashcardsLock in vocabulary and key terms with spaced repetition.
- Practice questionsAnswer exam-style questions and get instant AI marking.
- Mock exams & past-paper vaultSit full mocks and see exactly how examiners award marks.
- Personalised study planA daily plan built around your exam date and weak areas.
Start Studying Free Full access to Aimnova Pro · cancel anytime
The rules of a short answer: Keep it short — a few words or a phrase. Answer the question that was actually asked. Use your own words when the question says „mit eigenen Worten“; otherwise you may lift the words from the text. And don't over-write — extra padding doesn't earn extra marks and risks contradicting yourself.
| Regel | Was sie bedeutet |
|---|---|
| Fasse dich kurz | ein paar Wörter oder ein Satzteil, kein ganzer Absatz |
| Beantworte genau die Frage | antworte auf das, was gefragt ist, nicht auf etwas anderes |
| Eigene Worte, wenn verlangt | umschreibe, wenn dort „mit eigenen Worten“ steht |
| Abschreiben erlaubt, wenn nicht verlangt | wenn keine eigenen Worte gefordert sind, darfst du Wörter aus dem Text nehmen |
| Schreibe nicht zu viel | vermeide Füllsel; es bringt keine Punkte und kann sich widersprechen |
Read the instruction: The little instruction matters: „mit eigenen Worten“ means you must paraphrase — copying the line word-for-word can lose the mark. If it doesn't say that, you're free to take the words straight from the text.
Practice with real exam questions
Answer exam-style questions and get AI feedback that shows you exactly what examiners want to see in a full-marks response.
Try Practice FreeYour first topic is free to keep • No credit card required
A reliable routine: Read the question first so you know exactly what's asked, locate the part of the text that answers it, note the key information, then write a short, precise answer (own words if asked) and check it actually answers the question. Because you can re-read, this is quick and reliable.
Nail the short answer — 5 steps
1
Read the question
What is it actually asking? Underline the key word (who? what? why? how much?).
2
Locate the relevant part of the text
Scan for the line that answers it — the text stays in front of you, so re-read it.
3
Note the key information
Pick out only the words that answer the question — ignore the rest.
4
Write a short, precise answer
A few words or a phrase. Use your own words if the question says „mit eigenen Worten“.
5
Check it answers the question
Re-read the question and your answer — does it respond to exactly what was asked?
Read Q → Locate → Note → Write short → Check
Answer the question asked: Before you move on, re-read the question and your answer side by side. A common slip is answering a slightly different question — make sure your few words respond to exactly what was asked.
Answering short questions on a real text: Here is a short text — the kind Paper 2 (Reading) gives you. The text stays in front of you, so you locate each answer. Read it once (tap Übersetzung anzeigen if you get stuck), then we'll take a two-part short-answer question through the routine.
Das Stadtteilfest: Letzten Samstag feierte das Viertel Sankt Anna sein jährliches Stadtteilfest auf dem Marktplatz. Am Vormittag gab es Spiele für die Kinder und einen Kochkurs, in dem die Nachbarn lernten, traditionelle Plätzchen zu backen. Am Nachmittag spielte eine Musikgruppe Lieder aus der Region.
Das Fest endete mit einem gemeinsamen Abendessen im Freien. Jede Familie brachte ein Gericht mit, um es mit den anderen zu teilen. Marta, eine der Organisatorinnen, sagte, das Schönste am Fest sei nicht das Essen gewesen, sondern alle Nachbarn zusammen zu sehen, wie sie nach einem so anstrengenden Jahr plauderten und lachten.
- das jährliche Stadtteilfest
- the yearly neighbourhood / street festival
- der Kochkurs
- the cookery course
- die traditionellen Plätzchen
- the traditional biscuits
- das Abendessen im Freien
- the open-air dinner
- teilen
- to share
Answering a short question
Zwei Kurzfragen, Schritt für Schritt
- (a) Read the question — „Was lernten die Nachbarn dem Text zufolge im Kochkurs zu backen?“ Locate the line: „…einen Kochkurs, in dem die Nachbarn lernten, traditionelle Plätzchen zu backen.“
- (a) Write a short answer — „Sie lernten, traditionelle Plätzchen zu backen.“ A few words, straight from the text — that's enough.
- (b) Read the question — „Was war laut Marta das Schönste am Fest? Antworte mit eigenen Worten.“ Locate: „das Schönste… sei nicht das Essen gewesen, sondern alle Nachbarn zusammen zu sehen“. Now paraphrase.
- (b) Write in your own words — „Für Marta war es am schönsten, alle Nachbarn versammelt zu sehen, nicht das Essen.“
Own words means reword: Part (b) said „mit eigenen Worten“, so we reworded „alle Nachbarn zusammen zu sehen“ as „alle Nachbarn versammelt zu sehen“. Same idea, different words — copying the line whole could lose the mark.
Feeling unprepared for exams?
Get a clear study plan, practice with real questions, and know exactly where you stand before exam day. No more guessing.
Get Exam Ready FreeYour first topic is free to keep • No credit card required
Where marks are lost: Most short-answer marks are lost not to hard German but to careless habits: copying word-for-word when own words are required, answering a different question, writing far too much, or leaving it blank out of caution. Compare the two columns.
Gute Strategien
- Answer the exact question that was asked.
- Paraphrase in your own words when „mit eigenen Worten“ is stated.
- Keep it short — a few words or a phrase.
- Always write something supported by the text; never leave it blank.
Typische Fehler
- Copy the line word-for-word when own words are required.
- Answer a slightly different question from the one asked.
- Write a long paragraph full of padding.
- Leave the answer blank because you weren't certain.
Never leave it blank: If the answer is in the text, a blank scores zero but a brief, text-supported attempt can score. Locate the line, write a few words — even an imperfect answer beats no answer at all.