The CEFR Grids for Writing,
                                                      developed byALTEmembers
                        Goethe-Institut Sample Test Tasks
                         Report on analysis of                       Start Deutsch 1 (Writing)
                         Target language of this test                German
                         Target level (CEFR) of this test            A1
                         Tasknumber/name                             Paper 2, Writing Part 2
                        General Information about the writing component *
                        3     Number oftasksin the writing paper     2 writing tasks
                        4     Integration of skills                  Writing (with written input)
                        5     Total test time                        45 minutes inc. reading section
                        6     Target performance level               A1
                        7     Channel                                Handwritten
                        8     Purpose                                General proficiency
                        Background to the Examination
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                        The examination Start Deutsch 1 is a general German qualification which was developed
            < Back      in co-operation with the Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme GmbH (WBT) and which is part of
                        the Main-suite Examinations of the Goethe-Institut since spring 2004. Set at level A1
                        of the CEFR, Start Deutsch 1 recognises the ability to cope with everyday written and
                        spoken communication at a basic level. Start Deutsch 1 is designed for learners who
            Index   >   have basic German skills of the kind needed when travelling in a foreign country. 
                        * The numbers in the left hand column of the tables refer to the categories in the ALTE CEFR Writing Grid
                      Candidature
                      Start Deutsch 1 has been offered since spring 2004. 863 candidates have so far taken
                      this examination.     
                      Structure of the Test
                      Start Deutsch 1 tests the skills of Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking – with each
                      skill equally weighted at 25%. It is administered in three separate papers; Paper 1:
                      Listening, Paper 2: Reading and Writing and Paper 3: Speaking. There are five possible
                      grades in Start Deutsch 1: four pass grades (very good, good, satisfactory, pass) and
                      one fail grade. Results are based on the candidate’s aggregate scores across the four
                      skills. In order to pass, candidates must achieve at least 60% of the total marks.
                      Start Deutsch 1 Reading and Writing Paper
                      The paper has a fixed format, with Parts 1-3 testing reading skills through a variety of
                      texts (simple short letters and short notices). Part 1 and 2 of the Writing Paper test
                      writing skills in two formats: filling in a form and writing a short letter. In the writing
                      section, candidates are assessed on their ability to produce written German at word,
                      sentence and text level. They are expected to complete short gaps in simple texts, and
                      to ask for information in a short letter, showing reasonable control of structure,
                      vocabulary, spelling and punctuation. 
                      Writing Paper, Part 2
                      In this task, candidates are given the opportunity to show that they can communicate
                      a written message (25-35 words) of an authentic type, for example a short letter to a
                      tourist information office. The instructions indicate the type of message required, who
                      it is for and what kind of information should be included. Candidates must respond to
                      the prompts in all three bullet points. All points must be addressed in order to
                      complete the taskfully. 
                      Markdistribution
                      There are 3 marks given for each of the 3 bullet points and 1 mark overall for
                      communicative appropriateness (altogether 10 marks maximum). Candidates at this
                      level are not expected to produce faultless German, but, to achieve the maximum
                      marks, a candidate should write a clear message which successfully communicates all
                      three elements of the required information, with only minor grammatical and spelling
                      errors. A great variety of acceptable answers is possible. 
                      TaskRating
                      The rating scale takes the form of a set of two band descriptors from 0 – 3 (task
                      fulfilment) and from 0 – 1 (communicative appropriateness). The exam is marked by
                      two trained raters. Grammatical form, spelling, structural correctness is considered
                      along with task fulfilment when rating.
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                      Effective Level
           < Back     All Start Deutsch 1 Writing tasks are constructed on the basis of expert judgement
                      (experienced teachers of German as a Foreign Language and staff of the headquarter
                      of the Goethe-Institut) and according to the Start Deutsch 1 specifications, which
                      relate to the Breakthrough Level of the Council of Europe. Several meetings take place
           Index  >   with the Team Leaders and the item writers to decide on the most appropriate task for
                      the final version of the examination. 
                            Sample task:
                            Sie wollen nach Berlin fahren.
                            Schreiben Sie an die Touristeninformation in Berlin. Hier finden Sie drei Punkte für
                            Ihren Brief:
                               1.  Sie kommen vom 14. – 21. August nach Berlin.
                               2. Bitten Sie um Informationen über Film, Theater, Museen (Kulturprogramm).
                               3. Bitten Sie um Hoteladressen.
                            Schreiben Sie zu jedem Punkt ein bis zwei Sätze auf den Antwortbogen.
                               An das
                               Tourist Info Center
                               Brandenburger Tor
                               Pariser Platz
                               10117 Berlin Mitte
                                                                                                           08. März 2005
                               Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
                               Mit freundlichen Grüßen
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              Index    >
                         i) Task input/prompt
                        9    Rubrics and instructions are in…      German
                        10   Language level of rubric              A1
                        11   Time for this task                    Notspecified
                        12   Control/guidance                      High (controlled)
                        13   Content                               Yes – specified
                        14   Discourse mode                        Letter – personal
                        15   Audience                              Tourist information office 
                        16   Type of prompt                        Textual
                        17   Topic                                 Travel, leisure
                        18   Integration of skills                 Reading
                        ii) Response (description of written response elicited by the prompt(s)/input)
                       19    Number ofwordsexpected              25-35
                       20    Rhetorical function(s)              Asking for information
                       21    Register                            Neutral
                       22    Domain                              Personal
                       23    Grammar                             Simple structures
                       24    Vocabulary                          Only frequent vocabulary
                       25    Cohesion                            Extremely limited use of cohesive devices
                       26    Authenticity: situational           Medium
          forward >    27    Authenticity: interactional         Medium
           < Back      28    Cognitive processing                Low
                       29    Content knowledge                   Personal, daily life, common general
                 >     30    Taskpurpose                         Referential (telling)
           Index