Section C: Applied Grammar (40) MCQs Quiz | Class 9
This quiz is for Class IX, Subject: German (Code 020), as part of the Assessment Scheme (Annual Exam). It covers the topic ‘Articles and nouns in genitive; genitive prepositions’ which accounts for 8 marks. Complete the quiz, submit your answers to see your score, and download a PDF of your answer sheet.
Understanding the Genitive Case (Genitiv) in German
The Genitive case (der Genitiv) in German is primarily used to show possession or a relationship between two nouns. It answers the question “Wessen?” (Whose?). It is also used after certain prepositions. While less common in spoken German, it is essential for formal writing and understanding complex sentences.
1. Genitive Articles
The articles change in the genitive case to reflect the gender and number of the noun they belong to. Here’s how they change:
| Gender | Nominative (Definite) | Genitive (Definite) | Genitive (Indefinite) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine (der) | der Vater | des Vaters | eines Vaters |
| Neuter (das) | das Auto | des Autos | eines Autos |
| Feminine (die) | die Frau | der Frau | einer Frau |
| Plural (die) | die Kinder | der Kinder | – (keiner) |
2. Noun Endings in the Genitive
In addition to the article changing, masculine and neuter nouns also take an ending, typically -s or -es.
- Add -s: Most masculine and neuter nouns take an “-s”. Example: des Vaters, des Buches.
- Add -es: Nouns ending in -s, -ss, -ß, -x, -z, or -sch add “-es” for easier pronunciation. Example: des Glases, des Platzes. One-syllable nouns often also take “-es”. Example: des Mannes, des Hauses.
- Feminine and plural nouns do not take any extra ending in the genitive. Example: der Frau, der Kinder.
3. Genitive Prepositions
Certain prepositions in German always require the noun that follows them to be in the genitive case. These are common in written and formal German.
Key genitive prepositions include:
- während (during): während des Unterrichts (during the lesson)
- trotz (despite/in spite of): trotz des Regens (despite the rain)
- wegen (because of): wegen des Sturms (because of the storm)
- (an)statt (instead of): anstatt des Tees (instead of the tea)
Quick Revision Points
- The genitive case shows possession (“whose?”).
- Definite articles: des (m), der (f), des (n), der (pl).
- Masculine and neuter nouns add an -s or -es ending.
- Feminine and plural nouns do not add an ending.
- Remember the key prepositions: während, trotz, wegen, (an)statt.
Practice Questions
- Das ist das Haus _____ (my aunt).
- Wegen _____ (the fog) können wir nichts sehen.
- Die Farbe _____ (the car) ist rot.
- Trotz _____ (the difficulties) hat er es geschafft.
- Während _____ (the film) war es still.
Answers: 1. meiner Tante, 2. des Nebels, 3. des Autos, 4. der Schwierigkeiten, 5. des Films
