telc German B2

telc German B2 – Writing (Schriftlicher Ausdruck)

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.

As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format

Parts

Tasks

Points

30 min

Time

60 %

to pass

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Key takeaways

You choose 1 of 2 topics and write a letter/email of at least 150 words in 30 minutes.
Usually a complaint or a request for information – you cover three of the four content points, not all of them.
Assessed on task fulfillment, communicative design and formal accuracy. 45 points.

Overview

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.

Difficultymoderate to hard

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.

The parts at a glance

Part	Task type	Focus	Tasks	Points
Write a letter / email	Letter / email	Written Expression	1	45

Tips & strategy

Choose your topic deliberately

You have two topics to choose from. Read both briefly and pick the one you can say more about and have more vocabulary for.

Plan first, then write

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.

Pick three points, not four

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.

Hit the formal register

At B2 you usually write formally: “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren”, consistent “Sie”, polite requests with Konjunktiv II. Stay consistent.

Connect, don’t list

Use connectors (außerdem, daher, allerdings, da) and build a coherent text – not just a list of sentences.

Check at the end

Quickly check: at least 150 words, three developed points, formal register, subject line, salutation and closing present. Correct obvious mistakes.

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Useful phrases

Learn a fixed set of phrases for the formal letter – that way you build any text quickly:

Subject line (Betreff): Beschwerde über meine Bestellung vom 3. Mai / Anfrage zu Ihrem Kursangebot – the task explicitly asks you to think up a fitting subject line.
Salutation: Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, / Sehr geehrte Frau …, / Sehr geehrter Herr …,
Opening: ich wende mich an Sie, weil … / mit großem Interesse habe ich … / hiermit möchte ich mich über … beschweren.
Polite request (Konjunktiv II): Ich wäre Ihnen dankbar, wenn … / Könnten Sie mir bitte mitteilen, … / Ich würde gern wissen, …
Complaint: Leider muss ich feststellen, dass … / Ich bin damit nicht einverstanden, weil … / Ich erwarte, dass …
Closing: Über eine baldige Antwort würde ich mich freuen. / Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Common task types & topics

The writing task is usually one of these situations:

Complaint (Beschwerdebrief): describe a problem and demand a solution (e.g. faulty goods, poor service)
Request for information: ask for details about a course, offer or event
Enquiry / claim: enquire or make a claim and expect a response
Letter to the editor / statement: respond to an article or post and justify your opinion

1-week study plan

Day
1
Understand format & assessment
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?
Day
2
Structure & useful phrases
Learn a fixed set of phrases for the formal letter: salutation, opening, polite request (Konjunktiv II), complaint, closing.
Day
3
Complaint letter
Write a formal complaint with consistent “Sie” and three developed content points – describe the problem and demand a solution.
Day
4
Request for information
Write a formal enquiry: ask politely for details and pose concrete questions with Konjunktiv II.
Day
5
Connectors & Konjunktiv II
Practice connecting your text with connectors (daher, außerdem, allerdings) and forming polite requests in Konjunktiv II.
Day
6
Letter under time
Choose one of two topics and write a complete letter in 30 minutes; count the words at the end (at least 150).
Day
7
Get feedback
Have your letter assessed – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores task fulfillment, design and language automatically.

Are you ready?

I choose, from two topics, the one I can say more about.
I pick three of the four content points – or two plus an angle of my own – and develop each over several sentences.
I write formally: a fitting subject line, appropriate salutation, consistent “Sie”, polite requests with Konjunktiv II.
I connect my text with connectors into a coherent whole.
I write at least 150 words in 30 minutes and check them at the end.

Frequently asked questions

How many words do I have to write in Written Expression?

At least 150 words. Write a little more rather than too little – what matters is that the three points you chose are developed sufficiently.

Can I choose the topic?

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.

How is Written Expression assessed?

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.

Do I write formally or informally at B2?

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.

Which topics come up in Written Expression?

Common ones are complaints, requests for information, claims or statements – usually semi-formal to formal situations.

What’s the best way to practice Written Expression?

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.

Can I use a dictionary in Written Expression?

No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the telc German B2 exam.