This key facts covers Key rules at a glance within Role-play: short, exact answers for GCSE German. Revise Role-play: short, exact answers in Speaking: Role-Play, Read-Aloud and Photo Card for GCSE German with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 3 of 4 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📌 Key rules at a glance
- Keep answers short and exact — answer the prompt, do not pad
- Survival formulas: Ich möchte / Kann ich / Darf ich / Wo ist / Was kostet / Haben Sie
- The (!) prompt = you ask a question — prepare a question word ready: Wann / Wo / Wie viel / Was
- Use formal Sie with strangers and officials — never du in the role-play
- Add bitte to requests — natural, polite, costs nothing
- Match the time frame of the prompt — past or future answers use the verb bracket
Practice questions for Role-play: short, exact answers
In the AQA GCSE German speaking role-play, how long should your answers typically be?
On an AQA German role-play task card, what does the (!) symbol mean?
Quick recall flashcards
Haben Sie...?
Do you have...? (formal Sie)
'Haben Sie ein Zimmer frei?' = Do you have a room free? (das Zimmer, die Zimmer)
'Haben Sie eine Speisekarte?' = Do you have a menu? (die Speisekarte, die Speisekarten)
Always use formal 'Sie' with strangers and officials in a role-play.
Ich hätte gern...
I'd like... — a very polite fixed phrase for shops, restaurants and hotels.
'Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.' = I'd like a coffee, please.
'Ich hätte gern zwei Eintrittskarten.' = I'd like two entry tickets. (die Eintrittskarte, die Eintrittskarten)
Learn it as a set phrase (note the umlaut: hätte).