What is the difference between 'Ausgang' and 'Notausgang'?

'Ausgang' is the standard exit used by everyone to leave a building or station. 'Notausgang' specifically refers to an emergency exit, which should only be used in a 'Notfall' (emergency). In exams, spotting the 'Not-' prefix is key to understanding safety instructions.

How do I say 'Is there disabled access' in German?

The most natural way to ask is 'Ist das Gebäude barrierefrei?' (Is the building barrier-free?) or 'Gibt es einen behindertengerechten Zugang?' (Is there a disabled-friendly access point?). Examiners look for the use of 'barrierefrei' as it is a high-level, accurate term.

Does 'Eintritt frei' mean I can go in for free?

Yes, 'Eintritt frei' means there is no admission fee. This is a common phrase on signs for museums or festivals. Do not confuse it with 'Zutritt verboten', which means entry is strictly prohibited.

What does 'Außer Betrieb' mean on a sign?

'Außer Betrieb' means 'out of order' or 'not in service'. You will often see this on signs for 'Aufzüge' (lifts) or 'Fahrtreppen' (escalators). If you see this in a reading exam, it usually means the character has to take the stairs (die Treppe).

What is the difference between 'öffnen' and 'geöffnet'?

'Öffnen' is the verb 'to open' (e.g., 'Ich öffne die Tür'). 'Geöffnet' is the adjective/past participle meaning 'open' (e.g., 'Das Museum ist heute geöffnet'). In the context of access, you are more likely to see 'geöffnet' on signs regarding opening times.

How do I describe a lift or elevator in German?

The most common word is 'der Aufzug', but you might also hear 'der Fahrstuhl' or 'der Lift'. All three are perfectly acceptable in the AQA GCSE exam, but 'der Aufzug' is the most frequent term used in official signage and announcements.

General vocabulary: Access

AQA

GCSE

This topic covers essential vocabulary related to access, including terms for opening, closing, entry, exit, and the status of facilities or spaces.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

The topic of 'Access' in AQA GCSE German covers the vocabulary needed to navigate physical environments, digital platforms, and social services. It is a vital component of the 'Local, national, international and global areas of interest' theme, focusing specifically on how individuals interact with infrastructure such as public transport, public buildings, and tourist attractions. Mastering this vocabulary allows students to understand instructions, read signage, and communicate needs regarding entry, accessibility, and availability.

Beyond simple nouns like 'door' or 'entrance', this topic requires a nuanced understanding of accessibility (Barrierefreiheit) and the verbs associated with movement and permission. It is frequently tested in the context of travel and tourism, where students must identify whether a location is open, how to enter it, and whether it accommodates specific needs, such as those of wheelchair users or families with strollers. Understanding these terms is essential for the Reading and Listening papers, where subtle distinctions in vocabulary can change the meaning of a text.

In the wider context of the German language, 'Access' vocabulary bridges the gap between basic survival German and more sophisticated social awareness. It prepares students for real-world scenarios, such as navigating a German train station or understanding a website's login requirements. By learning these terms, students demonstrate an ability to handle practical situations and show an awareness of social inclusivity, which is a key element of the higher-tier cultural requirements.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Physical Navigation: Distinguishing between 'der Eingang' (entrance), 'der Ausgang' (exit), 'der Notausgang' (emergency exit), and 'der Aufzug' (lift).
→Accessibility Terms: Understanding 'barrierefrei' (wheelchair accessible/barrier-free) and 'behindertengerecht' (suitable for the disabled) as crucial descriptors for public spaces.
→Entry and Admission: Differentiating between 'der Eintritt' (the act of entering or the admission fee) and 'der Zugang' (access in a general or digital sense).
→Temporal Access: Using 'geöffnet' (open), 'geschlossen' (closed), and 'die Öffnungszeiten' (opening hours) to determine when access is permitted.
→Verbs of Access: Mastering 'erreichen' (to reach/attain), 'betreten' (to enter/step onto), and 'benutzen' (to use) to describe how one interacts with a space.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Correct identification of terms related to entry and exit points
Accurate usage of verbs related to opening and closing
Understanding of status indicators like 'open', 'closed', 'occupied', and 'free'
Correct application of 'verboten' in context

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Correct identification of terms related to entry and exit points
Accurate usage of verbs related to opening and closing
Understanding of status indicators like 'open', 'closed', 'occupied', and 'free'
Correct application of 'verboten' in context

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Learn the difference between nouns for buildings (Eingang/Ausgang) and vehicles (Einfahrt/Ausfahrt)
💡Practice the state verbs (e.g., 'zu sein') versus the action verbs (e.g., 'zumachen')
💡Use context clues in reading passages to determine if a facility is open or closed
💡Look for synonyms in Reading tasks: An exam paper might use the word 'Rollstuhlfahrer' (wheelchair user) to imply that a building needs to be 'barrierefrei', even if the word for accessible isn't explicitly used.
💡Pay attention to 'verboten' and 'gestattet': In the Listening exam, these words are high-frequency markers for whether access is allowed or prohibited. 'Rauchen verboten' (smoking forbidden) vs 'Zutritt gestattet' (access permitted).
💡Note the difference between 'drücken' (push) and 'ziehen' (pull) on signs: These are simple but common points of failure in role-play scenarios or basic comprehension tasks.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing 'Eingang' (entrance) with 'Ausgang' (exit)
Confusing 'Einfahrt' (entry for vehicles) with 'Eingang' (entry for people)
Misusing 'auf sein' vs 'aufmachen' (state vs action)
Confusing 'besetzt' (occupied/engaged) with 'frei' (free/vacant)
Confusing 'Eintritt' with 'Eingang': Students often use 'Eintritt' to mean the physical door. 'Eingang' is the physical entrance, while 'Eintritt' usually refers to the right to enter or the price of a ticket (Eintrittspreis).
Misinterpreting 'Frei': While 'frei' often means 'free' (as in 'kostenlos'), in the context of access like 'barrierefrei', it means 'free from' (barriers). It does not mean the entrance is free of charge.
Gender confusion with 'Tür' and 'Tor': Students frequently forget that 'die Tür' is feminine (the door) while 'das Tor' is neuter (the gate/large entrance), which affects adjective endings in descriptions.

Revision Plan

How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks

1Week 1, Day 1-2: Create a dual-coding glossary. Draw icons for 'Eingang', 'Aufzug', and 'Treppe' alongside the German terms to cement the visual connection.
2Week 1, Day 3-5: Focus on 'Accessibility' vocabulary. Research a German tourist attraction (like the Reichstag) online and identify their 'Barrierefreiheit' section to see the words in a real-world context.
3Week 2, Day 1-3: Practice 'Public Transport Access'. Listen to German train station announcements on YouTube to identify words like 'Gleis' (platform), 'umsteigen' (to change), and 'Aufzug außer Betrieb' (lift out of order).
4Week 2, Day 4-5: Complete past AQA Reading and Listening papers specifically looking for Theme 2 (Local area, holiday and travel) questions to test your speed in identifying access-related keywords.

Exam Question Types

How this topic typically appears in the exam

📋Role-Play (Speaking): You may need to ask if a hotel has a lift or if a museum is accessible for a friend in a wheelchair. Practice the phrase: 'Gibt es einen Aufzug?'
📋Photo Card (Speaking): You might see a picture of a busy station or a sign. Be prepared to describe 'der Eingang' or 'viele Menschen warten am Gleis'.
📋Matching/Multiple Choice (Reading): Identifying which facility is suitable for which person based on short descriptions of 'Zugang' and 'Öffnungszeiten'.
📋Short Answer (Listening): Identifying why a person cannot enter a building (e.g., 'Wegen Bauarbeiten geschlossen' - closed due to construction).

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic 'Town and Local Area' vocabulary (e.g., Bahnhof, Museum, Kino).
•Modal verbs, specifically 'dürfen' (to be allowed to) and 'können' (to be able to).
•Prepositions of place (in, an, auf, hinter) and their cases (Dative/Accusative).

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Physical Navigation and Signage: Decoding 'Eingang', 'Notausgang', and 'Gleis' to navigate transport hubs and public buildings.
Digital and Information Access: Navigating user interfaces using terms like 'Anmelden', 'Speichern', and 'Suchen' in a virtual context.
Social and Institutional Access: Utilizing formal registers and modal verbs to request permission or assistance in administrative settings.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Beschreib

Schreib

Wähle

Ergänze

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

General vocabulary: Access

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA GCSE German

Communication strategies

Communication strategies: Strategies for production

Communication strategies: Strategies for understanding

General vocabulary: Alphabet

How to Revise General vocabulary: Access — AQA GCSE German

Examiner Tips for General vocabulary: Access

Common Mistakes in General vocabulary: Access

Key Marking Points

General vocabulary: Access

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'Ausgang' and 'Notausgang'?

How do I say 'Is there disabled access' in German?

Does 'Eintritt frei' mean I can go in for free?

What does 'Außer Betrieb' mean on a sign?

What is the difference between 'öffnen' and 'geöffnet'?

How do I describe a lift or elevator in German?

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA GCSE German

Communication strategies

Communication strategies: Strategies for production

Communication strategies: Strategies for understanding

General vocabulary: Alphabet