Goethe-Zertifikat C1 · Modelltest · Part 2 – Formal message
Goethe C1 Writing (Schreiben) Part 2 – Formal Message
Or practise it right here online – with an assessment and feedback
In Part 2 you write a formal message, for example a complaint. Here’s how to stay polite, clear and complete.
Key takeaways
- You write a formal message (~120 words), e.g. a complaint to your superior.
- Write politely and formally (Sie) with greeting, a clear concern and a sign-off.
What this part tests
In Part 2 you write a formal message (around 120 words) – for example a complaint, a request or a notice to a superior, a company or an institution. You respond to a given situation.
What’s decisive is the formal register: an appropriate greeting, a polite but firm tone (with “Sie”) and a suitable sign-off. You describe the situation objectively, present your concern clearly and formulate a concrete expectation or request.
The most common losses of marks: writing too privately or impolitely, not naming the concern clearly or not describing the situation appropriately. Whoever writes politely, clearly and appropriately solves this part reliably.
How to approach it
- 1
Grasp the situation and your concern exactly.
- 2
Start with an appropriate greeting.
- 3
Describe the situation objectively and politely.
- 4
Present your concern clearly and formulate a concrete expectation.
- 5
End with a formal sign-off.
- 6
Check register, clarity and politeness.
Example task with answer
A short example in the same format: the task and a model answer.
Während Ihres Urlaubs ist Ihre Firma umgezogen. Bei Ihrer Rückkehr stellen Sie fest, dass Sie nicht mehr allein, sondern mit sechs Kolleginnen und Kollegen in einem Raum sitzen. Schreiben Sie eine Beschwerde an Ihre Vorgesetzte (~120 Wörter).
Model answer:
Why? The message is formal throughout (greeting, “Sie”, sign-off), describes the situation objectively, justifies the concern (concentration) and formulates a concrete request – exactly what Part 2 expects, in around 120 words.
Practice: test yourself
Nach deinem Urlaub stellst du fest, dass du nicht mehr allein, sondern mit sechs Kolleginnen und Kollegen in einem Raum sitzt. Du schreibst eine Beschwerde an deine Vorgesetzte.
Which phrasing fits a polite, formal complaint?
A formal complaint stays polite, describes the situation objectively and presents a concrete concern (option a). b is impolite, c doesn’t fit a complaint with a request for a solution.Want to see how this feels in practice?
Try this section in an exam-like format and find out how confident you are before exam day.
Common mistakes
Stay formal and polite – even in a complaint. Threats or colloquial language don’t fit.
Say clearly what it’s about and what you expect.
Describe briefly and objectively what your message refers to.
Use “Sie” and formal phrasing throughout.
Tips
- Learn fixed formal phrases: greeting, description, concern, sign-off.
- Stay polite, but present your concern firmly.
- Formulate a concrete expectation or request.
Frequently asked questions
How long should the formal message be?
Around 120 words. It must contain a greeting, a short description, the concern and a sign-off.
Which register is right?
A consistently formal, polite register with “Sie” – polite but firm, even in a complaint.
What are typical occasions?
A complaint, a request or a notice to a superior, company or institution.
How do I get feedback on my message?
The official PDF answer key does not grade writing. At Prepliq a mock exam grades your message automatically with reference to the published assessment criteria.
Other parts
Useful resources
Check if you’re ready for this exam part
Practice in an exam-like format with real time limits, get an assessment modelled on the official criteria, and see where you still need work.
- Exam-like task format with real time limits
- Assessment modelled on the official exam criteria
- This exam part as a model test, results right away
- Detailed feedback and corrections on what you write