Name: _____________________________________
German I Midterm Guidelines
Your writing prompt will be held in class on Wednesday, January 15th.
Your multiple choice sections will be held in class on Thursday and Friday, January 16th and 17th.
You must turn in your speaking midterm by Sunday, January 19th.
Read the following prompts. One prompt you will need to write an in-class essay about, the other you will need to
respond to verbally by leaving a message on Frau’s voicemail.
Prompt 1:
Tell me what you like to do in your free time (Freizeit). You must include the following in your response:
 Two activities you like.
 Two activities you dislike.
 Your favorite activity (Lieblingsactivität).
 Who you spend your free time with (friends, siblings, parents etc…).
 How the weather affects what things you do.
Prompt 2:
Tell me what you are like (personality and physically). You must include the following in your response:
 Your age.
 Your eye color.
 Your hair color and type.
 Two clothing items you’re wearing and the color of the clothing.
 Two personality traits.
Other details:

You will be given an adjective ending chart for use while writing your essay. You will also be allowed to use
a note card. You note card may only contain infinitive verbs, nouns, and adjectives in German (no English
may be present on your note card). You may not write full sentences on your note card, only individual
words. You must turn your note in by Tuesday, January 14th so Frau can approve your notes. If your card is
not turned in by this date you MAY NOT use a note card but you will still be provided with an adjective
ending chart.

Your speaking section of the midterm will be a speech that you read on Frau’s voicemail.
o Frau’s voicemail 610-326-5105 ext. 6753
o Your presentation must begin AND end like this “Hello this is (first and last name). I am in
__________ period German.” Say this in ENGLISH!
o If you make a mistake, you may call and leave another voicemail but in your introduction please tell
Frau that you made a mistake and she should grade the current message not the first one.
o Your speaking exam will be graded primarily for pronunciation, however incorrect verb
conjugations will negatively affect your grade. While it is not required, you are encouraged to write
a script for yourself and read from it while leaving the voicemail.

If you would like to come for tutoring before the midterm, Frau is free any morning between 7am and
7:55am, please call or email if you are interested.
Frau will be available for tutoring at the high school on Wednesday, January 8th (during early release
Wednesday).
Frau will be available for tutoring at the middle school on Thursday, January 9th (during 9th period).


Writing Rubric:
Required Elements:
4 – all required elements included in final copy
3 – missing 1- 3 required elements
2 – missing 4 – 5 required elements
1 – missing 6 or more required elements
Verb Conjugation:
4 – all verbs conjugated correctly
3 – 1-3 conjugation errors
2 – 4-5 conjugation errors
1 – 6 or more conjugation errors
Word Order:
4 – all word order is correct
3 – 1-3 word order errors
2 – 4-5 word order errors
1 – 6 or more word order errors
Spelling:
4 – all words spelled correctly
3 – 1 spelling error
2 – 2 spelling errors
1 – 3 or more spelling errors
Capitalization:
4 – all appropriate words capitalized
3 – 1-3 capitalization errors
2 – 4-5 capitalization errors
1 – 6 or more capitalization errors
Sentence Structure:
4 – all sentences have a verb and transition words
3 – 1 missing verb, and at least 2 transitions words
2 – 2 missing verbs, and 1 transition word
1 – more than 3 missing verbs, no transition words
Vocabulary:
4 – authentic and some new vocabulary words used
3 – all vocabulary authentic
2 – authentic and cognates used
1 – vocabulary is 70% cognates
Speaking Rubric:
Verb Conjugation:
4 – all verbs conjugated correctly
3 – 1-2 conjugation errors
2 – 3-4 conjugation errors
1 - 5 or more conjugation errors
Fluency:
4 – response is streamline, no long pauses
3 – one long pause or two small pauses
2 – more than one long pause or three small
pauses
1 – entire response is choppy and difficult to
follow
Required Elements:
4 – all required elements included in response
3 – missing 1- 3 required elements
2 – missing 4 – 5 required elements
1 – missing 6 or more required elements
Pronunciation:
4 – all words pronounced correctly with evidence
of an authentic accent
3 – all words pronounced correctly
2 – 1-4 pronunciation errors
1 – 5 or more pronunciation errors
Vocabulary:
4 – authentic and some new vocabulary words
used
3 – all vocabulary authentic
2 – authentic and cognates used
1 – vocabulary is 70% cognates
*If either a written or spoken response is 3 sentences or less it cannot be graded.
__________________________________________________________
(signature of parent/guardian)