In Written Expression you choose one of two topics and write a semi-formal or formal letter or email (around 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 around 150 words. You have 30 minutes and can earn 45 points. Unlike at B1, you choose between two topics and address the content points given in the task.
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 all the content points are covered clearly, coherently and in the right register.
It is assessed by three criteria: task fulfillment (do you address all the content points?), communicative design (structure, 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: note a keyword for each content point. Then you write more fluently and forget nothing.
Every point of the task must appear – write one or two sentences on each. A missing point will cost you points.
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: around 150 words, all content points, formal register, 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 and content points look like, 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 all 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 (around 150).
Have your letter assessed – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores task fulfillment, design and language automatically.
Around 150 words. Write a little more rather than too little – what matters is that all the content points are covered 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 (all content points), communicative design (structure, 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 against the official 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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