Lesson 2: Shopping & Consumption MCQs Quiz | Class 9
This quiz is for Class 9 students studying German (Code 020) from the textbook Beste Freunde B 1.1. It covers Lesson 2, focusing on the topic of Shopping and Consumption. You will be tested on vocabulary for shopping, describing events, giving reasons, and using the subordinate clauses “um…zu” and “damit”. Answer all questions, submit your quiz, and download the PDF answer sheet for your records.
Understanding Shopping and Purpose Clauses in German
This lesson focuses on the practical language skills needed for shopping in Germany, as well as two important grammatical structures for expressing purpose: the subordinate clauses with “um…zu” and “damit”. Mastering these will help you explain your reasons and intentions more clearly.
Key Vocabulary for Shopping (Einkaufen)
- der Supermarkt: supermarket
- die Bäckerei: bakery
- die Metzgerei: butcher shop
- das Kaufhaus: department store
- der Einkaufswagen: shopping cart
- der Preis: price
- Was kostet das?: How much does that cost?
- Ich möchte… kaufen: I would like to buy…
- zahlen: to pay
Expressing Purpose: “um…zu” vs. “damit”
Both “um…zu” and “damit” are used to explain the purpose of an action (why someone does something). The choice between them depends on the subject of the main and subordinate clauses.
1. The “um…zu” Infinitive Clause
Use “um…zu” when the subject of the main clause is the same as the subject of the action in the purpose clause. It translates to “in order to” or simply “to”.
Structure: Hauptsatz (Main Clause) + Komma (,) + um + … + zu + Infinitiv (Infinitive Verb).
- Example: Ich gehe in den Supermarkt, um Milch zu kaufen.
- Translation: I am going to the supermarket in order to buy milk. (The person going and the person buying is the same: “Ich”).
2. The “damit” Subordinate Clause
Use “damit” when the subjects of the main and subordinate clauses are, or can be, different. It translates to “so that”.
Structure: Hauptsatz (Main Clause) + Komma (,) + damit + Subjekt + … + konjugiertes Verb (Conjugated Verb at the end).
- Example: Ich gebe dir Geld, damit du Milch kaufen kannst.
- Translation: I am giving you money so that you can buy milk. (The subject giving money is “Ich”, but the subject buying milk is “du”).
- Note: You can also use “damit” if the subjects are the same, but “um…zu” is more common and elegant in that case. Example: `Ich lerne schnell, damit ich die Prüfung bestehe.`
| Structure | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| um…zu | Same subject in both clauses. | Er lernt viel, um gute Noten zu bekommen. (He studies a lot to get good grades.) |
| damit | Different subjects in the clauses. | Die Lehrerin erklärt es langsam, damit alle Schüler es verstehen. (The teacher explains it slowly so that all students understand.) |
Quick Revision Points
- Always use a comma before “um…zu” and “damit”.
- With “um…zu”, the verb at the end is always in its infinitive form (e.g., kaufen, lernen, sehen).
- With “damit”, the verb at the end is conjugated and matches the subject of the “damit” clause.
- When you can use “um…zu”, it is generally preferred over “damit” for being more concise.
Extra Practice Questions
Complete the following sentences with either “um…zu” or “damit” and the correct verb form.
- Ich brauche eine neue Jacke, ______ im Winter nicht ______ frieren. (frieren)
- Meine Mutter kocht das Abendessen, ______ wir etwas Leckeres ______ essen haben. (haben)
- Wir fahren nach Berlin, ______ die Sehenswürdigkeiten ______ besichtigen. (besichtigen)
- Kannst du leise sein, ______ das Baby schlafen ______? (können)
- Er spart Geld, ______ er sich ein neues Fahrrad ______ kaufen kann. (kaufen)
Answers: 1. um…nicht zu frieren, 2. damit…haben, 3. um…zu besichtigen, 4. damit…kann, 5. damit…kaufen kann (or um…zu kaufen)
