German Present Tense
German Verb Quiz 1 - Key
ANSWER KEY - This 20-item quiz was based on Lesson 16C of our German for Beginners course, our German Modal Verbs Review, and the 50 Common German Verbs conjugation chart.
Annotated Answer Key - German Modal Verb Quiz 1
Thanks for taking the MODAL VERB QUIZ. Here is an answer key with some bonus grammar tips.
Correct answers are in bold type.
For the verb indicated in parentheses, write the correct present tense form in the blank:
1. (wollen) Wann willst du zu uns kommen?
When do you want to come to our place/come see us?
2. (können) Können Sie Deutsch? (koennen)
Do you know German? (lit., "can you German?)
Note: "Sie" (formal 'you') is conjugated as plural whether it refers to one or more 'you'.
3. (können) Ich kann ein bisschen Deutsch.
I know a little German. (know how, be able to do something)
4. (dürfen) Das darfst du nicht!
You're not allowed to do that! or You must not do that!
5. (sollen) Wie soll ich das machen?
How am I supposed to do that?
6. (wollen) Nein, wir wollen es anders schreiben.
No, we want to write it another way/differently.
7. (mögen) Ich mag diese Suppe überhaupt nicht!
I don't like this soup at all.
8. (sollen) Er soll aus Hamburg kommen.
They say he comes from Hamburg. or He's supposed to be from Hamburg.
9. (müssen) Karl und Jörg müssen mehr lernen. (muessen)
K. and J. have to study more.
Note: In general lernen = study, as for homework; studieren = to study at a college or university for a degree
10. (wollen) Was wollt ihr eigentlich von uns?
What do you (guys) actually want from us?
Part B
Write the correct GERMAN in the blank to match the ENGLISH in parentheses:
11. Er konnte seinem Vater helfen. (was able to)
He was able to help his father. (NO umlaut!)
12. Herr Meier musste das sehr genau machen. (had to)
Herr M. had to do that very precisely/thoroughly.
13. Konnten Sie uns verstehen? (were able to)
Could you understand us?
Note: No umlauts in the simple past of modals!
14. Möchte er das Buch mitnehmen? (would like to)
Would he like to take the book along/with him?
Note: möchte is a subjunctive form of the modal mögen.
15. Maria wollte eine Frage stellen. (wanted to)
M. wanted to ask a question.
16. Durftest du damit anfangen? (were permitted)
Were you permitted/allowed to start that?
17. Vielleicht könnten die Studenten auch eine Reise dorthin machen. (could)
Perhaps the students could also take a trip there.
Note: The word 'vielleicht' indicates probability (subjunctive mood), thus the umlauted form.
18. Herr Braun, das dürfen Sie nicht tun. (must not [prohibited!])
Herr B., you must not do that. (not allowed to)
Note: If 'müssen' were used, it would mean: "You don't have to do that." - quite a different meaning!
19. Wir mussten Japanisch lernen. (had to)
We had to learn Japanese.
20. Ich möchte einen neuen Anzug kaufen. (would like to)
I would like to buy a new suit.
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