In Written Expression you choose one of two topics and write a semi-formal or formal letter or email (at least 150 words). Here are the structure, useful phrases, an example and all the assessment criteria.
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Key takeaways
Written Expression is the part of the telc B2 exam where you produce text yourself: a letter or email of at least 150 words. You have 30 minutes and can earn 45 points. Unlike at B1, you choose between two topics – and then choose a second time inside the topic: the task lists four content points and you only have to deal with three of them.
It tests whether you can handle a more demanding writing situation – usually a complaint or a request for information. At B2 you generally write formally or semi-formally: an appropriate salutation and closing, polite requests with Konjunktiv II (“Ich wäre Ihnen dankbar, wenn …”) and a clearly structured text. More important than perfect grammar is that the three points you take on are developed clearly, coherently and in the right register.
It is assessed by three criteria: task fulfillment (do you develop three points properly?), communicative design (structure, subject line, salutation, closing, connectors) and formal accuracy (grammar and vocabulary at B2 level). The best approach is three steps: plan, write, check.
Very doable with fixed phrases and a clear structure. More demanding than at B1: a formal register, Konjunktiv II and a coherent, well-connected text are expected.
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Write a letter / email | Letter / email | Written Expression | 1 | 45 |
You have two topics to choose from. Read both briefly and pick the one you can say more about and have more vocabulary for.
Take two minutes: mark the three points you want to deal with and note two keywords for each. Then you write more fluently and never stall mid-letter.
The task asks for three of the four content points – or two of them plus an angle of your own. Choose the three you have most to say about and actually develop them: a single sentence does not count as dealing with a point.
At B2 you usually write formally: “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren”, consistent “Sie”, polite requests with Konjunktiv II. Stay consistent.
Use connectors (außerdem, daher, allerdings, da) and build a coherent text – not just a list of sentences.
Quickly check: at least 150 words, three developed points, formal register, subject line, salutation and closing present. Correct 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 for the formal letter – that way you build any text quickly:
The writing task is usually one of these situations:
Read this guide and look at an official practice test: what do the two topics look like, how many of the four content points must you deal with, and what is assessed?
Learn a fixed set of phrases for the formal letter: salutation, opening, polite request (Konjunktiv II), complaint, closing.
Write a formal complaint with consistent “Sie” and three developed content points – describe the problem and demand a solution.
Write a formal enquiry: ask politely for details and pose concrete questions with Konjunktiv II.
Practice connecting your text with connectors (daher, außerdem, allerdings) and forming polite requests in Konjunktiv II.
Choose one of two topics and write a complete letter in 30 minutes; count the words at the end (at least 150).
Have your letter assessed – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores task fulfillment, design and language automatically.
At least 150 words. Write a little more rather than too little – what matters is that the three points you chose are developed sufficiently.
Yes. You get two topics to choose from and write on one of them. Pick the topic you can say more about and have the right vocabulary for.
By three criteria: task fulfillment (three properly developed content points), communicative design (structure, subject line, salutation, closing, connectors) and formal accuracy (grammar, vocabulary). There are 45 points in total.
Usually formally or semi-formally – such as a complaint or enquiry to a company or institution. Use “Sehr geehrte …”, consistent “Sie” and polite requests with Konjunktiv II.
Common ones are complaints, requests for information, claims or statements – usually semi-formal to formal situations.
Write formal letters on various topics regularly and have them assessed. At Prepliq a mock scores your letter automatically with reference to the published assessment criteria – the PDF answer key doesn’t cover writing.
No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the telc German B2 exam.
Practice this exam section in the official format and see what needs more attention before the real test.
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