In the Writing module you rewrite a short referat in Part 1 and write a longer text in Part 2 (e.g. a reader’s letter, an email or a book review). Here’s the structure, examples and all the tips for both parts.
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Key takeaways
Writing is the module of the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 exam (GDS) where you produce text yourself. It has two parts: in Part 1 you rewrite marked passages of a short referat, using given words that may not be changed (around 20 minutes). In Part 2 you choose one of four topics and write a longer text of around 350 words (around 60 minutes).
Part 1 is about linguistic flexibility: you express the same content differently and correctly build in the given words – with all necessary grammatical transformations. In Part 2 you produce a demanding, well-structured text in a particular text type: a reader’s letter, an email to an editorial team or a book review of a work from the official reading list.
In Part 2 you’re graded on whether you treat all aspects of the task appropriately in content and length, whether your text is clearly structured and coherent, and whether word choice and style fit the text type. Part 1 counts less than Part 2 (about 20/80 points).
Part 1 requires high linguistic flexibility, Part 2 a demanding, stylistically assured text. The most common hurdle: not treating all aspects, missing the text type or the style.
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Rewriting | Rewriting | Linguistic flexibility | 1 | 20 |
| Part 2 – Longer text | Longer text | Writing demandingly & with assured style | 1 | 80 |
You must use the given words unchanged and rewrite the surrounding sentence. Check each transformation for grammar and sense.
A reader’s letter, an email and a review each have their own conventions. Choose greeting, structure and style to fit the text type.
In Part 2 there are several content aspects or statements you must address. Treat each – a missing aspect costs marks.
At C2 differentiated vocabulary, complex structures and a clear, elegant style count. Vary sentence structure and word choice.
Plan about 20 minutes for Part 1 and 60 for Part 2. Leave time at the end to check.
Check transformations (Part 1), all aspects, structure, style and grammar (Part 2). Fix obvious errors.
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Learn phrases and conventions for Part 2:
The writing tasks are usually these:
Read this guide and look at the official Modellsatz: what do the rewriting task and the text types look like?
Practice rewriting sentences with given words – with all grammatical transformations.
Learn the conventions of reader’s letter, email and book review.
Write complete texts (~350 words) and treat all aspects.
Read a work from the reading list and practice a review with the required content aspects.
Work through both parts in 80 minutes and check transformations, aspects, style and grammar at the end.
Have your writing graded – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores your text automatically.
Two parts: Part 1 (rewrite a short referat, ~20 minutes) and Part 2 (write a longer text of around 350 words, ~60 minutes, choosing from four topics).
You choose from four topics: usually a reader’s letter, an email to an editorial team or a book review of a work from the official reading list.
The Writing module lasts 80 minutes. Plan about 20 minutes for Part 1 and 60 for Part 2.
In Part 2 you’re graded on whether you treat all aspects appropriately, whether the text is clearly structured and coherent, and whether word choice and style fit the text type. Part 1 counts less than Part 2 (about 20/80).
Yes. For the book review there is an official Goethe-Institut reading list, updated every year. Read the works for your exam year in good time.
Practice rewriting sentences and write texts in the various text types. At Prepliq a mock exam scores your text automatically – because the PDF answer key does not cover writing.
Practice this exam section in the official format and see what needs more attention before the real test.
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