DELE A2 reading and listening comprehension: tasks and techniques
In the DELE A2, the reading comprehension part lasts 60 minutes and the listening comprehension part lasts 40 minutes. Each part has 4 tasks and 25 questions with 3 options or matching exercises. You receive 1 point for each correct answer, and incorrect answers do not reduce your score, so it is best to answer all the questions. In the listening part, you hear each recording twice.
Reading comprehension (60 minutes, 25 questions)
- Task 1 (5 questions): an email, letter, or short personal text of about 250 to 300 words, with 5 questions and 3 options each.
- Task 2 (8 questions): 8 short texts (advertisements, posters, notices, blogs) of 50 to 80 words, each with 1 question.
- Task 3 (6 questions): 3 texts of 100 to 120 words and 6 statements that you must match to the correct text.
- Task 4 (6 questions): a narrative or biographical text of 375 to 425 words, with 6 questions.
Listening comprehension (40 minutes, 25 questions)
- Task 1 (6 questions): 6 short conversations, either informal or about shopping and services, each with 1 question, 3 options, and pictures.
- Task 2 (6 questions): 6 short messages, such as news items, advertisements, or radio information about events, each with 1 question and 3 options.
- Task 3 (6 questions): a conversation between 2 people and 6 statements that you must match to the person who says them (the man, the woman, or neither of them).
- Task 4 (7 questions): 7 messages or notices of 30 to 50 words each, which you must match to 7 of 10 statements.
- Each recording is played twice, with pauses for reading and answering.
Techniques
- Read the questions and options first, and then read the text or listen to the recording. This will help you know what to look for.
- You do not need to understand every word. Look for the information that answers the question.
- Be careful with options that repeat words from the text but change the meaning.
- In the listening part, use the first listen to understand the main idea and the second to confirm details (numbers, times, places).
- Do not leave any questions unanswered: incorrect answers do not reduce your score.
- Manage your time. You have 60 minutes for 4 reading tasks, so do not spend too long on a single task.
A2 Nacionalidad has 9 reading tests and 9 listening tests with original material in simple Spanish, 2 listens per recording, and a transcript at the end. These practice tasks are shorter than those in the official exam. To practise the complete format, there are also 3 reading mock exams and 3 listening mock exams that follow the structure in the official guide (4 tasks and 25 questions each), with timers of 60 and 40 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are there in the DELE A2 reading part?
25 questions in 4 tasks (5, 8, 6, and 6), with 60 minutes.
How many questions are there in the DELE A2 listening part?
25 questions in 4 tasks (6, 6, 6, and 7), with 40 minutes.
How many times do you hear each recording?
Twice.
Do you have to answer all the questions?
Yes, it is best to do so: incorrect answers are worth 0 points and are not penalized.
Official sources
Information reviewed on .