telc B1 Schriftlicher Ausdruck – Writing the Letter
You write a letter or email for a situation with four guide points. Here’s how to build it step by step.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Key takeaways
- Write about 150 words and cover all four guide points.
- Structure: salutation – opening – body (all points) – closing.
What this part tests
In this part you produce text yourself: a letter or email of about 150 words. You get a short situation and four guide points and have 30 minutes. It tests whether you handle the writing situation appropriately – not whether you write error-free.
Four things matter: you cover all four guide points (content), you structure the letter clearly (salutation, opening, body, closing), you hit the right register (formal “Sie” or informal “du”) and you write understandable B1 German. There are 45 points in total.
The most common point losses: a guide point is missing, the register is mixed, or the letter is too short. If you plan briefly first, tick off all four points and use fixed phrases, you write confidently and completely.
How to approach it
- 1
Read the situation and decide: formal or informal?
- 2
Note a keyword for each of the four guide points so you forget none.
- 3
Start with the salutation and a short opening (the reason for writing).
- 4
In the body, address each guide point with one to two sentences and use suitable phrases.
- 5
Close with an appropriate sign-off.
- 6
Check at the end: around 150 words, all four points, a consistent register?
Example task with answer
A short example in the same format: the task and a model letter that covers all guide points (the model letter is in German).
A friend, Anna, has invited you to her birthday party. Write a reply. Guide points: (1) Thank her for the invitation. (2) Say whether you’re coming. (3) Ask whether you should bring something. (4) Suggest a joint present for another friend.
Model letter (excerpt):
Why? The letter covers all four guide points: thank (1), accept (2), ask about bringing something (3), suggest a present (4). The register is informal throughout (“Liebe Anna”, “du”, “viele Grüße”) – right for a friend.
Practice: test yourself
You reply to a friend’s private invitation to a barbecue.
Which salutation and closing fit?
Common mistakes
All four points must appear. Tick them off one by one after writing.
Don’t switch between “du” and “Sie”. Decide at the start and stick with it.
Well under 150 words looks incomplete. Address each point with one to two sentences.
Without salutation, opening and closing you lose structure points. Keep the layout.
Tips
- Plan before you write – two minutes on the four guide points save you time and mistakes.
- Learn one set of phrases each for formal and informal letters by heart.
- Roughly count the words at the end and check that all four points are there.
Frequently asked questions
How long should the letter be?
Around 150 words. More important than the exact number is that all four guide points are sufficiently covered.
Do I really have to address all four guide points?
Yes. Every missing guide point costs points. Tick off each point individually after writing.
How do I know whether to write “du” or “Sie”?
The situation decides: “du” to friends/acquaintances, “Sie” to companies/authorities/unknown people. Stay with one form throughout.
How do I get feedback on my letter?
The official PDF answer key doesn’t grade writing. At Prepliq a mock grades your letter automatically against the official criteria – content, structure, register and language.
Useful resources
Learn 600+ of the most important telc German B1 words interactively with flashcards.
Preview and download the official telc German B1 practice test – with answers and study material.