Comprehensive English Class Test Study Guide: Future Tenses, Relative Clauses, and Report Writing

Use and Formation of the Will-Future

The will-future is primarily employed to describe spontaneous actions ($\text{spontane Handlungen}$). Its usage is categorized into four distinct areas. First, it is used for predictions about the future ($\text{Vorhersagen über die Zukunft}$). Second, it conveys threats or promises ($\text{Drohungen oder Versprechen}$), which are essentially a specific type of prediction. Third, it is used for spontaneous decisions ($\text{spontane Entscheidungen}$). Finally, it describes future events over which the speaker has no personal influence ($\text{zukünftige Ereignisse ohne eigenen Einfluss}$). Common signal words and phrases include specific time markers like "tomorrow," "next week," or "in the Summer," as well as introductory phrases expressing belief or uncertainty such as "I think," "I guess," and "maybe" (when followed by a future context).

The formation of the will-future follows a simple structure: $\text{will} + \text{Infinitiv}$. When negating a statement, the form $\text{will not}$ is used, which is frequently contracted to $\text{won't}$. To form questions, the word $\text{Will}$ is moved to the very beginning of the sentence ($\text{Will an Satzanfang}$).

Use and Formation of the Going-to Future

In contrast to the will-future, the going-to future is used for planned actions ($\text{geplante Handlungen}$). It is specifically applied when discussing fixed intentions or plans for the future ($\text{feststehende Vorhaben oder Pläne für die Zukunft}$). It is also used to make predictions based on logical conclusions derived from existing, visible evidence ($\text{sichtbar}$). Lastly, it is used to issue commands or express refusals ($\text{Befehle und weigerungen}$). There are no universal signal words for the going-to future; instead, the correct usage depends entirely on the situational context. A helpful rule of thumb is to use the going-to future if the sentence can be translated into German using the phrase "vorhaben" (to intend/plan).

The formation of the going-to future requires the auxiliary verb "to be," followed by "going to" and the infinitive: $\text{to be} + \text{going to} + \text{Infinitiv}$. For negations, the word "not" is inserted after the form of "to be" ($\text{to be} + \text{not} + \text{going to}$), with common contractions such as "is not" becoming "isn't." To construct questions, the appropriate form of "to be" is moved to the beginning of the sentence.

Defining and Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Relative clauses are used to provide additional information about a person or thing mentioned in the main clause. The relative pronouns used are "who" for persons and "which" for animals or objects. The pronoun "that" can be used for both. These clauses are categorized as either defining and non-defining. Defining relative clauses ($\text{notwendig}$) are essential to the meaning of the sentence; without them, the sentence does not make sense or is incomplete. These clauses are never set off by commas. An example is: "It was my Grandmother who made the cake."

Non-defining relative clauses ($\text{nicht notwendig}$) provide extra information that is not essential to understanding the basic meaning of the sentence. The sentence remains complete and meaningful even if the relative clause is removed. These clauses are always separated from the main sentence by commas. An example provided is: "My friend Kate, who is 14 years old, live next to my house."

Contact Clauses and Relative Pronoun Mechanics

Contact clauses occur when the relative pronoun can be omitted. This is possible when the reference word ($\text{Bezugswort}$) located before the relative pronoun acts as the object of the relative clause ($\text{Objekt des Relativ Satzes}$), answering the questions "Whom?" or "What?" ($\text{wen? oder was?}$). A practical way to identify a contact clause is to check if the relative pronoun is followed by a name or a pronoun rather than a verb. If there is no verb immediately following the relative pronoun, it can often be omitted. In the example "Tim likes the birthday cake which his friends gave him," the word "which" is followed by "his friends" (a noun phrase) rather than a verb, indicating it is an object relative pronoun and could potentially be omitted to form a contact clause.

Structural Guidelines for Writing a Report

A report is a summary of the most important information regarding an event or situation ($\text{Zusammenfassung wichtigsten Informationen}$). It is critical that the writer maintains objectivity and does not include their own opinion ($\text{keine eigene Meinung}$). The writer must carefully distinguish between important and unimportant information.

The structure of a report must include a meaningful title and an introduction. The introduction provides a brief overview answering the core questions: who, where, when, why, and how ($\text{wer, wo, wann, weshalb, wie}$). The main part of the report ($\text{Hauptteil}$) should be divided into individual sections with their own sub-headings ($\text{Abschnitte mit überschriften}$). Information should be presented in a logical sequence, and it is encouraged to include reports or quotes from those involved ($\text{Berichte/Zitate von Beteiligten}$). The conclusion ($\text{Schluss}$) should address the consequences and results of the event ($\text{folgen und kosequenzen des Ereignisses}$). Useful concluding transitions include "In conclusion…," "As a result…," "finally…," and "All in all…."

Mixed Future Tenses and Exam Preparation

For a comprehensive English class test preparation ($\text{Klassenarbeit vorbereitung}$), students should be proficient in mixed future tenses, which include the Will-future, the Going-to future, and the Present tense used with future meaning. Additionally, the exam will cover defining and non-defining relative clauses, including contact clauses. The assessment will likely include components for Listening, Reading, and Writing, with the writing portion specifically focusing on the construction of a formal report.