Pearson Edexcel · International A Level · XGN01
German — Keywords & Key Terms — Definitions Glossary (2026)
Pearson Edexcel International A Level German
Topic-by-topic keywords, key terms and definitions for precise exam language—separate from our revision checklists (topic coverage) and formula sheets (equations).
Keywords & Key Terms — definitions
Examiner-style keywords and definitions organised by syllabus topic. Terms are tagged Essential (start here), Core (typical exam standard), and Advanced for harder distinctions — tick each row when you can recall it. Your progress is saved in this browser for this list.
Pearson Edexcel International A Level German (XGN01)
Pearson Edexcel International A Level German (XGN01)
Pearson Edexcel International A Level German
Pearson International A Level German (XGN01) develops advanced reading, listening, writing, translation and speaking through three contemporary themes plus a prescribed literary work or film — assessed across Papers 1–3 for the 2026 specification.
Mark schemes: Pearson IAL mark schemes reward accurate use of Konjunktiv I and II, Vorgangs- and Zustandspassiv, and complex subordination with correct verb-final word order, alongside precise translation in both directions. AO3 (manipulation of language) credits range and accuracy; AO4 (society) requires named cultural examples. Examiner reports highlight case errors after two-way prepositions and dropped Umlaute as common deductions.
Active recall: 0 / 21 terms ticked
| Recalled | Topic | Level | Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verb conjugations & moods | Core | Konjunktiv I | Subjunctive mood used to report indirect speech in formal/journalistic register without committing to truth. | |
| Verb conjugations & moods | Core | Konjunktiv II — Gegenwart | Present hypothetical subjunctive (würde + infinitive, or hätte/wäre/könnte forms) for unreal conditions and polite requests. | |
| Verb conjugations & moods | Core | Konjunktiv II — Vergangenheit | Past hypothetical (hätte/wäre + Partizip II) for unrealised past actions in wenn-clauses. | |
| Verb conjugations & moods | Core | Vorgangspassiv | ‘Action passive’ formed with werden + Partizip II describing the process of an action being done. | |
| Verb conjugations & moods | Advanced | Zustandspassiv | ‘State passive’ formed with sein + Partizip II describing the resulting state after an action. | |
| Verb conjugations & moods | Advanced | Modalverben im Konjunktiv II | Modal verbs in subjunctive (müsste, könnte, sollte, dürfte) for hypothetical obligation, possibility and advice. | |
| Cases, word order & connectors | Core | Wechselpräpositionen | Two-way prepositions (an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen) take accusative for motion, dative for location. | |
| Cases, word order & connectors | Core | Genitivpräpositionen | Prepositions governing the genitive case (während, trotz, wegen, statt) — formal register marker. | |
| Cases, word order & connectors | Core | Relativpronomen | Relative pronouns (der/die/das/dessen/deren/denen) declined for case and gender of antecedent, sending verb to the end. | |
| Cases, word order & connectors | Core | Doppelinfinitiv | ‘Habe machen müssen’ structure — perfect tense of modals with double infinitive instead of past participle. | |
| Cases, word order & connectors | Advanced | Korrelative Konjunktionen | Paired conjunctions sowohl…als auch, weder…noch, entweder…oder, je…desto for sophisticated linking. | |
| Themes & cultural content | Core | Die Entwicklung der deutschen Gesellschaft | Theme covering family, education and the working world in contemporary Germany. | |
| Themes & cultural content | Core | Die politische und künstlerische Kultur | Theme covering political life, the Bundestag, music, film and the cultural heritage of German-speaking countries. | |
| Themes & cultural content | Core | Einwanderung und multikulturelle Gesellschaft | Theme covering immigration, integration, Leitkultur debates and multicultural identity. | |
| Themes & cultural content | Core | Literarisches Werk oder Film | Prescribed literary work or film studied in depth for the Paper 2 written response. | |
| Themes & cultural content | Advanced | Soziokulturelle Belege | Named statistics, laws (e.g. Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz), films and authors cited as evidence in essays and the IRP. | |
| Exam technique (Papers 1–3) | Core | Paper 1 — Hörverstehen, Leseverstehen & Übersetzung | Listening and reading comprehension plus translation from German into English. | |
| Exam technique (Papers 1–3) | Core | Paper 2 — Schriftliche Antwort & Übersetzung | Essay on a prescribed work or film and translation from English into German. | |
| Exam technique (Papers 1–3) | Core | Paper 3 — Mündliche Prüfung | Oral exam discussing a stimulus card and presenting the Independent Research Project. | |
| Exam technique (Papers 1–3) | Core | IRP (Independent Research Project) | Self-chosen sociocultural topic researched in German with cited sources, defended orally. | |
| Exam technique (Papers 1–3) | Advanced | Übersetzungsstrategie | Preserve register and idiom; manage German V2 and verb-final word order rather than mirroring English syntax. |
Pair this with our revision checklists, formula sheets hub and past paper finder.
German (XGN01) — Keywords & Key Terms FAQ
- What is on this Pearson Edexcel A Level German keywords and key terms list?
- It is a topic-organised glossary of important german terms with short, exam-style definitions aligned to Pearson Edexcel International A Level German (XGN01). It is designed for “define”, “state”, “outline” and “explain” questions where precise vocabulary earns marks.
- How should I use this German glossary alongside past papers?
- Tick terms when you can recall them without reading the answer, then check your wording against mark schemes. Pair vocabulary practice with past papers for A Level German (XGN01) so you apply terms in context.
- Is this the same as a revision checklist or a formula sheet?
- No. Revision checklists help you track which syllabus topics you have covered and your confidence—separate pages on Tutopiya. Formula sheets summarise equations and quantitative relationships. This page is only a definitions and key-terms glossary for German.
- Can I download this German keywords and key terms list for free?
- Yes. After a quick free sign-up you can download a UTF-8 CSV (opens in Excel or Google Sheets) or open a print-friendly page and save as PDF. Browsing the list on the page is free.
- Is this German list aligned to the XGN01 specification?
- Topic groupings and wording follow Pearson Edexcel International A Level German for Pearson Edexcel A Level. Always confirm final learning objectives and any regional options in your official specification and recent examiner reports for your exam session.
- Why focus on definitions instead of full notes?
- Mark schemes reward correct technical terms and clear links between ideas. A compact glossary lets you drill the exact language examiners expect for German at A Level, separate from longer notes or topic trackers.