I have a reading passage for you. I’d say it’s in the intermediate to upper intermediate range. The English translation is supplied right after the German. Try and see if you can figure out what the German sentences mean without peeking at the English. If you had a little trouble understanding this level of German, you might be around the lower intermediate to higher beginner range. If you understood this level of German, you might be around the lower advanced level. I’ll write some beginner and advanced level passages in the future and that may help you accurately gauge your level. For now, it’s a good start to begin with the intermediate passages so that you can ball park your level.

Der 1. Mai ist ein Feiertag in Deutschland

(The first of May is a holiday in Germany)

Den man bis früh in den Morgen feiert, um den neuen Monat zu begrüßen.

(People party until the next morning to bid welcome to the new month)

Ein traditionelles Getränk im Mai ist die so genannte Maibowle

(A traditional drink in May is the so called May punch

Sie besteht aus Weißwein, Rose, Sekt und Zucker

(It consists of white wine, rose and sparkling wine)

Gewerkschaften organisieren an diesem Tag Demonstrationen

(Trade unions organize demonstrations on this day)

Mehrere Anti-Konfliktteams der Polizei waren am Vortag des 1. Mai unterwegs

(Several ani-conflict teams of police were on their way before May 1st)

Die Polizei hielt sich zunächst zurück, dann wurden einzelne Randalierer aus der Ansammlung gegriffen und weggeführt

(The police held itself back first, then individual rioters were assessed and led away)

Der 1. Mai ist eine verrückte Zeit in Deutschland!

(May 1st is a crazy time in Germany!)

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