--- title: "telc B2 Written Expression: Write a Letter (Example)" description: "How to write the letter in telc B2 Written Expression: choose 1 of 2 topics, cover the content points, write formally. Structure, phrases and a worked example with answer." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/writing/part-1" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/writing/part-1.md" locale: "en" provider: "TELC" level: "B2" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/telc-deutsch-b2/schreiben/teil-1.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/writing/part-1.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/telc-allemand-b2/expression-ecrite/partie-1.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/telc-tedesco-b2/scrittura/parte-1.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/telc-aleman-b2/escritura/parte-1.md" --- # telc B2 Written Expression – Writing a Letter > How to write the letter in telc B2 Written Expression: choose 1 of 2 topics, cover the content points, write formally. Structure, phrases and a worked example with answer. ## Key takeaways - Choose 1 of 2 topics and write around 150 words covering all content points. - Structure: salutation – opening – body (all points) – closing, consistently formal. - Task type: Letter / email - Focus: Written Expression ## What this part tests In this part you produce text yourself: a letter or email of around 150 words. You get two topics to choose from – usually a complaint or a request for information – each with several content points, and you have 30 minutes. It tests whether you can handle the writing situation appropriately. Three things are decisive: you cover all the content points (task fulfillment), you build and connect the letter clearly (communicative design: salutation, opening, body, closing, connectors) and you write correct, formal B2 German (formal accuracy). There are 45 points in total. The most common point losses: a content point is missing, the register is too colloquial, or the text is a bare list with no connections. Whoever plans briefly, ticks off every point and uses fixed phrases with Konjunktiv II writes reliably and completely. **What you practice:** Structuring a letter, Formal register & Konjunktiv II, Covering the content points ## How to approach it 1. Read both topics and choose the one you can say more about. 2. Note a keyword for each content point so you forget none. 3. Start with a formal salutation and a short opening (the reason for writing). 4. In the body, cover each content point with one or two sentences and connect them with connectors. 5. Close with a polite expectation and an appropriate closing formula. 6. Check at the end: around 150 words, all content points, formal register, salutation and closing? ## Example task with answer A short example in the same format: the task and a model letter that covers all the content points. **Aufgabe:** Sie haben in einem Online-Shop eine Kaffeemaschine bestellt, die beschädigt ankam. Schreiben Sie eine Beschwerde. Inhaltspunkte: (1) Grund Ihres Schreibens nennen. (2) Das Problem genau beschreiben. (3) Eine Lösung verlangen (Ersatz oder Rückzahlung). (4) Eine Frist setzen und um Antwort bitten. - Model letter (extract): - Answer: Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, am 3. Mai habe ich bei Ihnen eine Kaffeemaschine bestellt, die heute leider beschädigt bei mir ankam. Das Gehäuse ist gesprungen und das Gerät lässt sich nicht einschalten. Ich wäre Ihnen dankbar, wenn Sie mir umgehend ein einwandfreies Ersatzgerät zusenden oder den Kaufpreis erstatten würden. Über eine Antwort innerhalb der nächsten zwei Wochen würde ich mich freuen. Mit freundlichen Grüßen, … — The letter covers all the content points: state the reason (1), describe the problem (2), demand a solution (3), set a deadline and ask for a reply (4). The register is consistently formal (“Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren”, “Sie”, “Mit freundlichen Grüßen”) and the request uses Konjunktiv II – exactly what’s expected at B2. ## Practice: test yourself Du schreibst eine formelle Beschwerde an ein Online-Geschäft über eine beschädigte Lieferung. - Which salutation and closing fit best? - a) Hallo zusammen / Liebe Grüße - b) Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren / Mit freundlichen Grüßen - c) Liebe Anna / Bis bald - Answer: b — A complaint to a shop is formal. “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren” and “Mit freundlichen Grüßen” fit. The informal variants (a, c) only suit acquaintances or friends. ## Common mistakes - **Forgetting a content point:** All points of the task must appear. Tick them off individually after writing. - **Too colloquial:** At B2 a formal register is expected. Avoid “Hallo”, “cool” or abbreviations and use Konjunktiv II for requests. - **Just listing:** A good text is connected. Use connectors (daher, außerdem, allerdings) instead of stringing sentences together. - **No clear structure:** Without salutation, opening and closing you lose points on design. Keep the structure. ## Tips - Plan before writing – two minutes on the content points save you time and mistakes. - Learn a set of formal phrases with Konjunktiv II by heart (Ich wäre Ihnen dankbar, wenn …). - Count the words roughly at the end and check that all content points are there. ## Frequently asked questions ### How long should the letter be? Around 150 words. More important than the exact number is that all content points are covered sufficiently. ### Do I really have to cover all content points? Yes. Every missing content point costs points on task fulfillment. Tick off each point individually after writing. ### How formal do I have to write? Usually formally: “Sehr geehrte …”, consistent “Sie” and polite requests with Konjunktiv II. Avoid colloquial language and abbreviations. ### How do I get feedback on my letter? The official PDF answer key doesn’t assess writing. At Prepliq a mock scores your letter automatically against the official criteria – task fulfillment, communicative design and formal accuracy. ## Ready for the exam? [Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2?action=start§ionId=Written%20Expression) [telc B2 Written Expression – Writing a Letter](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b2/writing/part-1)