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Goethe-Zertifikat B2 · Schreiben
Formal messageWriting formally

Goethe B2 Writing (Schreiben) Part 2 – Formal Message

In Part 2 you write a formal message, for example a request, complaint or notice. Here’s how to stay polite, clear and complete.

As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format

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Key takeaways

  • You write a formal message (~100 words), e.g. a request, complaint or notice.
  • Write politely and formally (Sie) with greeting, a clear request and a sign-off.

What this part tests

In Part 2 you write a formal message or notice (around 100 words) – for example to a company, an administration, a superior or an institution. Typical occasions are a request, a complaint, an enquiry or a notice.

What’s decisive is the formal register: a formal greeting, a polite but clear tone (with “Sie”) and a suitable sign-off. You name your concern clearly, justify it briefly and formulate a concrete request or expectation.

The most common losses of marks: writing too privately or impolitely, not naming the concern clearly or not treating the task fully. Whoever writes politely, clearly and completely solves this part reliably.

What you practice:Writing formallyPhrasing politelyPresenting the concern clearly

How to approach it

  1. 1

    Grasp the occasion and the points you must cover.

  2. 2

    Start with a formal greeting (“Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,”).

  3. 3

    Name your concern clearly and justify it briefly.

  4. 4

    Formulate a concrete request or expectation.

  5. 5

    End with a formal sign-off (“Mit freundlichen Grüßen”).

  6. 6

    Check register, completeness and politeness.

Example task with answer

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

Aufgabe

In Ihrem Wohnhaus ist der Aufzug seit über einer Woche defekt. Schreiben Sie eine formelle Nachricht (~100 Wörter) an die Hausverwaltung: Beschreiben Sie das Problem, erklären Sie die Folgen und bitten Sie um eine baldige Reparatur.

Model answer:

Answer: Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, ich wende mich an Sie, weil der Aufzug in unserem Haus seit über einer Woche defekt ist. Für mich und besonders für ältere Bewohner und Familien mit kleinen Kindern ist das ein großes Problem, da das Treppensteigen in den oberen Stockwerken sehr beschwerlich ist. Ich möchte Sie daher bitten, die Reparatur so schnell wie möglich zu veranlassen und uns über den geplanten Termin zu informieren. Für eine baldige Rückmeldung wäre ich Ihnen dankbar. Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Daniel Ferreira

Why? The message is formal throughout (greeting, “Sie”, sign-off), describes the problem and its consequences, formulates a concrete request and stays polite despite being a complaint – exactly what Part 2 expects.

Practice: test yourself

Du schreibst an die Verwaltung deines Wohnhauses, weil der Aufzug seit Tagen kaputt ist.

Which phrasing fits a polite, formal complaint?

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Common mistakes

1
Too private or impolite

Stay formal and polite – even in a complaint. Threats or colloquial language don’t fit.

2
Concern not clear

Say clearly what it’s about and what you expect.

3
Treating the task incompletely

Cover all the given points of the task.

4
Wrong register

Use “Sie” and formal phrasing throughout.

Tips

  • Learn fixed formal phrases: greeting, concern, request, sign-off.
  • Name your concern clearly and justify it briefly.
  • Stay polite and factual, even in a complaint.

Frequently asked questions

How long should the formal message be?

Around 100 words. It must contain a greeting, the clearly stated concern, a short justification and a sign-off.

Which register is right?

A consistently formal, polite register with “Sie” and formal phrasing – even in a complaint.

What are typical occasions?

A request, a complaint, an enquiry or a notice to a company, administration, institution or superior.

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

Part 1 – Forum post

Useful resources

Goethe-Zertifikat B2 word list – learn for free

Learn 700+ of the most important Goethe-Zertifikat B2 words interactively with flashcards.

Official Goethe-Zertifikat B2 practice test (PDF)

Preview and download the official Goethe-Zertifikat B2 practice test – with answers and study material.

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