In written expression you write a letter or email (about 150 words) on a given topic. Here are the structure, useful phrases (Redemittel), an example and all the grading criteria.
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Key takeaways
Written expression is the part of the telc B1 exam where you produce text yourself: a letter or email of about 150 words. You have 30 minutes and can earn 45 points. You get a short situation and four guide points (Leitpunkte) that you must all address.
It tests whether you can handle an everyday writing situation: greet and sign off appropriately, state your reason, address all guide points and hit the right register (formal “Sie” or informal “du”). More important than perfect grammar is that all four points are covered clearly and coherently.
Work in three steps: plan, write, check. First decide whether the letter is formal or informal, and note one sentence per guide point. Then write with a clear structure – salutation, opening, body (all guide points), closing – and use fixed phrases. Leave time to check at the end.
Very doable with fixed phrases and a clear structure. The most common hurdle: not covering all four guide points, or mixing the register (du/Sie).
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Write the letter / email | Letter / email | Written expression | 1 | 45 |
Take two minutes: is the letter formal or informal? Note a keyword for each of the four guide points. Then you write more fluently and forget no point.
Every guide point must appear – write one to two sentences for each. A missing point will cost you points.
Formal: “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren” and “Sie” throughout. Informal: “Liebe/r …” and “du”. Stay consistent – don’t mix.
Set phrases for the salutation, opening, request, apology and closing save time and look confident. Learn one set by heart.
Salutation – opening (reason) – body (all guide points) – closing. A clear structure makes it easy for the examiner and for you.
Quickly check: around 150 words, all four guide points, the right register, salutation and closing present. Fix obvious mistakes.
Try this section in the real exam format and find out how confident you are before exam day.
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Learn a fixed set of phrases – with them you can build any letter quickly (kept in German):
The writing task is usually one of these situations:
Read this guide and look at an official practice test: what do the situation and guide points look like, and how is it graded?
Learn a fixed set of phrases for the salutation, opening, request and closing – formal and informal.
Write a formal letter (e.g. complaint, enquiry) with “Sie” throughout and all four guide points.
Write an informal letter (e.g. invitation, cancellation) with “du” and suitable phrases.
Practice different task types: invitation, complaint, request for information, apology.
Write a complete letter in 30 minutes and count the words at the end (around 150).
Have your letter assessed – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that grades content, structure and language automatically.
Around 150 words. Write a little more rather than too little – what matters is that all four guide points are sufficiently covered.
You get a situation and four guide points (Leitpunkte). You must address all four – ideally with one to two sentences per point.
Four areas are assessed: whether you cover all guide points (content), a clear structure, a suitable and consistent register (du/Sie), and correct B1 language. There are 45 points in total.
The situation tells you: to a company, authority or unknown person you write formally (“Sie”, “Sehr geehrte …”). To friends or acquaintances you write informally (“du”, “Liebe/r …”).
Often invitations, complaints, requests for information, apologies or enquiries – always everyday situations.
Write short letters on different topics regularly and have them assessed. At Prepliq a mock grades your letter automatically against the official criteria – the PDF answer key doesn’t cover writing.
No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the telc German B1 exam.
Practice this exam section in the official format and see what needs more attention before the real test.
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