Goethe A1 Writing (Schreiben) Part 2 – Short Message
In Part 2 you write a short personal message about a situation with three guide points. Here’s how to build it step by step.
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Key takeaways
- You write a short message (e.g. text message) about a situation with three guide points.
- Cover all three points and don’t forget the salutation and closing.
What this part tests
In Part 2 you produce text yourself: a short personal message – for example a text message or a short note to a friend. You get a situation and three guide points, all of which you must cover.
Three things are decisive: you address all three guide points (one short sentence each is enough), you start with a salutation and end with a closing, and you write simple, understandable sentences. Perfect grammar is not expected at A1.
The most common point losses: a guide point is missing, or the salutation and closing are missing. Whoever covers all three points briefly and uses fixed phrases writes reliably and completely.
How to approach it
- 1
Read the situation and the three guide points carefully.
- 2
Start with an appropriate salutation (“Hallo …” / “Liebe/r …”).
- 3
Write one short, simple sentence on each guide point.
- 4
Use fixed phrases for a request, suggestion or cancellation.
- 5
End with a closing (“Viele Grüße”).
- 6
Check at the end: all three guide points, salutation and closing present?
Example task with answer
A short example in the same format: the task and a model answer that covers all the guide points.
Deine Freundin Lena hat dich ins Kino eingeladen. Schreibe eine Antwort. Leitpunkte: (1) Bedanke dich für die Einladung. (2) Sage, dass du gern kommst. (3) Frage, wann der Film beginnt.
Model answer:
Why? The message covers all three guide points: thank (1), accept (2), ask when the film starts (3). It has a salutation (“Hallo Lena”) and a closing (“Viele Grüße”) and uses simple, understandable sentences – exactly what’s expected in Part 2.
Practice: test yourself
Du antwortest einer Freundin auf eine Einladung ins Kino.
Which salutation and closing fit?
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Common mistakes
All three points must appear. Tick them off individually after writing.
A message needs a salutation at the start and a closing at the end.
Write short, simple sentences. Complicated sentences lead to mistakes.
To friends you write “du” and “Hallo”, not “Sie” and “Sehr geehrte …”.
Tips
- Write exactly one short sentence on each of the three guide points.
- Learn fixed phrases for salutation, request and closing by heart.
- Check at the end that all three points, salutation and closing are there.
Frequently asked questions
How long should the message be?
Short – around three sentences, one per guide point, plus a salutation and closing. What matters is that all three points appear.
Do I really have to cover all three guide points?
Yes. Every missing guide point costs points. Tick off each point individually after writing.
Do I write “du” or “Sie”?
At A1 the message is usually private (to friends/family) – then you write “du” and “Hallo”. The situation tells you who you’re writing to.
How do I get feedback on my message?
The official PDF answer key doesn’t assess writing. At Prepliq a mock scores your message automatically with reference to the published assessment criteria.
Other parts
Useful resources
Learn 600+ of the most important Goethe-Zertifikat A1 words interactively with flashcards.
Preview and download the official Goethe-Zertifikat A1 practice test – with answers and study material.
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