---
title: "Goethe B1 Writing Part 3: Formal Message (Example)"
description: "Writing Part 3 of the Goethe-Zertifikat B1: write a short formal message (~40 words), e.g. an apology or request. Structure, useful phrases and a worked example."
canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/writing/part-3"
url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/writing/part-3.md"
locale: "en"
provider: "Goethe"
level: "B1"
alternates:
  de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/goethe-zertifikat-deutsch-b1/schreiben/teil-3.md"
  en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/writing/part-3.md"
  fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/goethe-zertifikat-allemand-b1/expression-ecrite/partie-3.md"
  it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/goethe-zertifikat-tedesco-b1/scrittura/parte-3.md"
  es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/goethe-zertifikat-aleman-b1/escritura/parte-3.md"
---

# Goethe B1 Writing Part 3 – Formal Message

> Writing Part 3 of the Goethe-Zertifikat B1: write a short formal message (~40 words), e.g. an apology or request. Structure, useful phrases and a worked example.

## Key takeaways

- You write a short formal message (~40 words), e.g. an apology or request.
- Write politely and formally (Sie) with greeting, request and sign-off.

- Task type: Formal message
- Focus: Writing formally

## What this part tests

In Part 3 you write a short formal message (around 40 words) – for example to a school, a company or an authority. Typical occasions are an apology, a refusal or a request.

What’s decisive is the formal register: a formal greeting (“Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren”), a polite request (with “Sie”) and a suitable sign-off (“Mit freundlichen Grüßen”). Despite the brevity, the occasion must be clear.

The most common losses of marks: writing too privately (“Hallo”, “du”) or not stating the request clearly. Whoever writes politely and formally and names the reason clearly solves this part reliably.

**What you practice:** Writing formally, Phrasing politely, Stating the request clearly

## How to approach it

1. Read the situation and consider your request (apology, refusal, request).
2. Start with a formal greeting (“Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,”).
3. State your request clearly and politely (with “Sie”).
4. Give a short reason if needed.
5. End with a formal sign-off (“Mit freundlichen Grüßen”).
6. Check at the end: formal register, request clear, greeting and sign-off?

## Example task with answer

A short example in the same format: the task and a model answer.

**Aufgabe:** Du bist krank und kannst morgen nicht zu deinem Deutschkurs kommen. Schreibe eine kurze formelle Nachricht an die Sprachschule (~40 Wörter): Entschuldige dich und bitte um die Hausaufgaben.

- Model answer:
  - Answer: Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, leider bin ich krank und kann morgen nicht am Deutschkurs teilnehmen. Ich entschuldige mich für mein Fehlen. Könnten Sie mir bitte die Hausaufgaben per E-Mail schicken? Vielen Dank im Voraus. Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Ana Costa — The message is formal throughout (greeting, “Sie”, sign-off), names the occasion clearly (apology) and the request (homework) – exactly what Part 3 expects, in around 40 words.

## Practice: test yourself

Du kannst wegen Krankheit nicht zu einem Kurs kommen und schreibst der Sprachschule.

- Which greeting and sign-off fit?
  - a) Hallo / Tschüss
  - b) Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren / Mit freundlichen Grüßen
  - c) Liebe Grüße / dein Max
  - Answer: b — A message to a language school is formal. “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren” and “Mit freundlichen Grüßen” fit. The private variants (a, c) don’t.

## Common mistakes

- **Writing too privately:** To a school or company you write “Sie” and “Sehr geehrte …”, not “Hallo” and “du”.
- **Request not clear:** Say clearly what it’s about – apology, refusal or request.
- **Forgetting greeting or sign-off:** Even a short formal message needs a greeting and sign-off.
- **Writing too long:** Around 40 words are enough. Stay polite but brief.

## Tips

- Learn fixed formal phrases: greeting, polite request, sign-off.
- State your request in one clear sentence.
- Stay polite but brief – about 40 words.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long should the formal message be?

Around 40 words. It is shorter than the other parts but must contain a greeting, the request and a sign-off.

### Do I write “du” or “Sie”?

In Part 3 you write formally – so “Sie” and “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren”. The register must be consistently formal.

### What are typical occasions?

An apology, a refusal or a request to a school, company or authority.

### 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 against the official criteria.

## Ready for the exam?

[Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1?action=start&sectionId=Written%20Expression)

[Goethe B1 Writing Part 3 – Formal Message](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b1/writing/part-3)