GM21: At the Hotel and Tourist Information
Booking accommodation, asking for information, dealing with problems; hotel vocabulary; role-plays
✈️ At the Hotel and Tourist Information
Booking accommodation, asking for information, dealing with problems; hotel vocabulary; role-plays
Key Fact: This topic covers key vocabulary and structures for at the hotel and tourist information. You need to know topic vocabulary, use it in all four skills, and express opinions with reasons.
📋 Key Vocabulary and Structures
- Topic-specific vocabulary (nouns, verbs, adjectives)
- Key grammar structures for this topic area
- How to express and justify opinions (ich finde... weil...)
- How to describe past, present and future related to this topic
- Cultural knowledge about German-speaking countries (DACH)
❓ Practice Questions
Q1: Write 4 sentences in German about at the hotel and tourist information.
Q2: Write a paragraph (40-60 words) giving your opinion on at the hotel and tourist information.
Q3: Translate into German: "I think at the hotel and tourist information is important because..."
✅ Answers
- Four sentences using topic vocabulary with correct case endings, verb position and adjective endings. Include at least two different tenses for Higher tier.
- A structured paragraph: Meiner Meinung nach... (in my opinion), ich finde... weil... (I think... because...), aber/allerdings... (however), zusammenfassend... (in summary). Use connecting words and varied vocabulary.
- "Ich finde, dass at the hotel and tourist information wichtig ist, weil..." — ensure correct word order (verb at end after dass), correct case endings, and give a specific reason.
🎯 Exam Tips
- Use a range of tenses (present, past, future) to access higher marks
- Include opinions with reasons (ich finde... weil... / meiner Meinung nach...)
- Check case endings (nominative, accusative, dative) before finishing
- Get word order right: verb-second in main clauses, verb-at-end after dass/weil/wenn
- Use complex structures: subordinate clauses, modal verbs, separable verbs
- Include cultural references to German-speaking countries (DACH)
📝 Exam Technique
German Exam Tips — At the Hotel and Tourist Information:
1. For At the Hotel and Tourist Information, use a range of vocabulary and complex grammatical structures to access higher marks
2. Check verb tenses, agreements and word order carefully in your written work
3. In translation tasks, translate meaning rather than word-for-word
4. When writing about At the Hotel and Tourist Information, include opinions and justifications, not just descriptions
5. For listening and reading, focus on key words and cognates to extract meaning
1. For At the Hotel and Tourist Information, use a range of vocabulary and complex grammatical structures to access higher marks
2. Check verb tenses, agreements and word order carefully in your written work
3. In translation tasks, translate meaning rather than word-for-word
4. When writing about At the Hotel and Tourist Information, include opinions and justifications, not just descriptions
5. For listening and reading, focus on key words and cognates to extract meaning
⚠️ Common Errors
Watch Out!
Students often forget that movement verbs use sein as the auxiliary in the perfect tense. Wrong: Ich habe nach Berlin gefahren. Correct: Ich bin nach Berlin gefahren (fahren uses sein as auxiliary, not haben).
✍️ Model Answer
Full-Mark Response
Writing task: Write about booking accommodation, asking for information, dealing with problems; hotel vocabulary; role-plays.
A grade 9 answer will: use at least three tenses accurately; include complex structures (subordinate clauses, modal verbs, separable verbs); show precise grammar (cases, word order, adjective endings); express and justify opinions; include cultural knowledge about DACH countries; use a wide range of vocabulary; be well-organised with connecting words (außerdem, jedoch, trotzdem, zusammenfassend).
Mark scheme: Content (relevance and detail) + Quality of language (accuracy and range) = total marks
📊 AO Deep Dive
Assessment Objective Focus: At the Hotel and Tourist Information
AO1 — Knowledge: Show understanding of At the Hotel and Tourist Information by demonstrating accurate vocabulary and grammatical structures in the target language.
AO2 — Application: Apply your knowledge of At the Hotel and Tourist Information to understand and produce language in listening, reading, speaking and writing contexts.
AO3 — Analysis & Evaluation: Analyse and evaluate linguistic features related to At the Hotel and Tourist Information, demonstrating critical awareness of meaning, context and cultural references.
Detailed Notes
Booking and Staying at a Hotel
Hotel vocabulary is essential for the GCSE speaking exam, particularly the role-play card. Key terms: das Hotel (hotel), die Pension (guesthouse/B&B), die Jugendherberge (youth hostel), das Einzelzimmer (single room), das Doppelzimmer (double room), buchen (to book), die Reservierung (reservation), die Übernachtung mit Frühstück (B&B), die Halbpension (half board), die Vollpension (full board), der Schlüssel (key), der Aufzug (lift), die Rezeption (reception).
In a role-play, you may need to: book a room (Ich möchte ein Einzelzimmer für zwei Nächte buchen), ask about facilities (Gibt es WLAN im Zimmer?), report a problem (Das Wasser im Badezimmer funktioniert nicht), or check out (Ich möchte auschecken). Use polite forms (Sie): Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen? (Could you please help me?). The formal address is Sie (you), Ihr/Ihre (your), with the verb in the third person plural.
In Germany, hotels are rated with a star system (1–5 stars). The Hotelklassifizierung is managed by the Deutscher Hotel- und Gaststättenverband (DEHOGA). Austria and Switzerland use similar systems. Budget options include die Pension (guesthouse), die Ferienwohnung (holiday apartment), and der Campingplatz (campsite). The Jugendherberge (youth hostel) network in Germany is extensive, with over 500 hostels.
Beispiel
Guten Tag, ich möchte ein Doppelzimmer für drei Nächte buchen. Haben Sie ein Zimmer mit Meerblick? Mit Frühstück, bitte. Wie viel kostet das pro Nacht?
Good day, I would like to book a double room for three nights. Do you have a room with a sea view? With breakfast, please. How much does that cost per night?
At the Tourist Information Office
The role-play card often features a visit to the tourist information office (die Touristeninformation). Key phrases: Ich suche eine Sehenswürdigkeit (I am looking for a sight), Was kann man hier machen? (What can one do here?), Gibt es eine Stadtrundfahrt? (Is there a city tour?), Wann ist das Museum geöffnet? (When is the museum open?), Können Sie mir eine Karte geben? (Can you give me a map?), Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof? (How do I get to the train station?).
To ask for directions, use: Wo ist...? (Where is...?), Wie komme ich zu...? (How do I get to...?), Ist es weit von hier? (Is it far from here?). For directions you may hear: Geradeaus (straight ahead), die erste/zweite Straße links/rechts (the first/second street left/right), an der Ampel links (at the traffic light, left), gegenüber dem Bahnhof (opposite the train station), hinter der Kirche (behind the church).
In German-speaking countries, the Touristeninformation is usually located in the town centre near the main square or station. Many offer free city maps (der Stadtplan) and brochures about local attractions. In smaller Austrian and Swiss towns, the Kurverwaltung (spa administration) doubles as the tourist office in resort towns.
Beispiel
Entschuldigung, wo ist die Touristeninformation? Ich suche das Museum. — Gehen Sie geradeaus und dann die zweite Straße rechts. Das Museum ist gegenüber dem Park.
Excuse me, where is the tourist information? I am looking for the museum. — Go straight ahead and then the second street on the right. The museum is opposite the park.
Understanding Signs and Public Transport
When travelling in German-speaking countries, understanding signs is important. Common signs: Ausgang (exit), Eingang (entrance), Notausgang (emergency exit), Umleitung (diversion), Geschlossen (closed), Geöffnet (open), Verboten (forbidden), Toiletten / WC (toilets), Herren / Damen (gentlemen / ladies), Freie Plätze (vacancies / available seats), Besetzt (occupied).
German public transport (der öffentliche Nahverkehr) is excellent and widely used. Key vocabulary: die Straßenbahn (tram), der Bus (bus), die U-Bahn (underground/metro), die S-Bahn (suburban railway), der Fahrplan (timetable), die Fahrkarte (ticket), der Schaffner (conductor), umsteigen (to change trains — separable), einsteigen / aussteigen (to get on / get off — separable).
In Germany, many cities have an integrated transport system (der Verkehrsverbund) where one ticket covers buses, trams and trains within a zone. The Deutschlandticket (€49/month) offers unlimited travel on local and regional transport throughout Germany. Austria's Klimaticket is similar. In Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Pass covers trains, buses and boats. Mentioning these in the exam shows practical cultural knowledge.
Beispiel
Ich möchte eine Fahrkarte zum Hauptbahnhof, bitte. Einmal einfach. — Das macht vier Euro fünfzig. Sie müssen an der nächsten Station umsteigen.
I would like a ticket to the main station, please. Single. — That is four euros fifty. You must change at the next station.
Key Vocabulary
| German | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| das Hotel / die Pension | hotel / guesthouse | Wir übernachten in einer kleinen Pension. |
| das Einzelzimmer / Doppelzimmer | single/double room | Ich möchte ein Doppelzimmer buchen. |
| buchen / reservieren | to book / reserve | Kann ich ein Zimmer reservieren? |
| die Rezeption | reception | Die Rezeption ist im Erdgeschoss. |
| der Schlüssel | key | Hier ist Ihr Zimmerschlüssel. |
| die Touristeninformation | tourist information | Die Touristeninformation ist am Marktplatz. |
| die Fahrkarte | ticket | Ich brauche eine Fahrkarte zum Bahnhof. |
| die Straßenbahn / U-Bahn | tram / underground | Wir nehmen die Straßenbahn in die Stadt. |
| einsteigen / aussteigen | to get on / get off | Wir steigen an der nächsten Haltestelle aus. |
| der Fahrplan | timetable | Wann fährt der nächste Zug? Sehen Sie im Fahrplan nach. |
| geradeaus / links / rechts | straight ahead / left / right | Gehen Sie geradeaus, dann links. |
| die Übernachtung mit Frühstück | B&B | Wir haben Übernachtung mit Frühstück gebucht. |
Additional Practice Questions
Q1: Du bist an der Rezeption eines Hotels. Buche ein Zimmer für zwei Nächte und stelle Fragen über die Einrichtungen. (You are at a hotel reception. Book a room for two nights and ask about the facilities.)
Q2: Übersetze ins Deutsche: I would like to book a double room for three nights with breakfast. Is there WiFi in the room? How much does it cost per night? Where is the nearest tram stop?
Model Answers
- Guten Tag, ich möchte ein Einzelzimmer für zwei Nächte buchen. Haben Sie ein ruhiges Zimmer? Gibt es WLAN im Zimmer und wie ist das Passwort? Um wie viel Uhr gibt es das Frühstück? Gibt es einen Parkplatz? Wie viel kostet das Zimmer pro Nacht? Ich brauche auch einen Weckruf um sieben Uhr, bitte. Haben Sie einen Aufzug? Mein Zimmer soll im zweiten Stock sein.
(Good day, I would like to book a single room for two nights. Do you have a quiet room? Is there WiFi in the room and what is the password? What time is breakfast? Is there a car park? How much does the room cost per night? I also need a wake-up call at seven o'clock, please. Do you have a lift? My room should be on the second floor.) - Ich möchte ein Doppelzimmer für drei Nächte mit Frühstück buchen. Gibt es WLAN im Zimmer? Wie viel kostet es pro Nacht? Wo ist die nächste Straßenbahnhaltestelle?
📝 Exam Questions by Topic
- AQA Past Papers - Topic Questions -- AQA
- Edexcel Past Papers - Topic Questions -- Edexcel
- Eduqas Past Papers - Topic Questions -- Eduqas
- CCEA Past Papers - Topic Questions -- CCEA
🎬 Video Resources
Ready to ace your GCSE German exams?
Get the best revision books and guides to boost your grades.