If you’re preparing for the Goethe B1 exam, you’ve probably already worked through listening, reading, and speaking sections. Now, you’re approaching one of the most important parts—the writing section! Today, I’m here to help you tackle Part 3 of the writing task, where you’ll write a formal email or letter. This part not only tests your language skills but is also super practical for living in Germany.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the structure, provide a sample response, and share some useful tips to help you ace this part of the exam!
What is Part 3 of the Writing Task?
In Part 3 of the Goethe B1 writing section, you’re asked to write a formal email or letter in response to a given scenario. This could involve anything from apologizing for missing an appointment to declining an invitation. The challenge is to keep your response formal, concise, and clear, all within about 40 words. You’ll need to show that you understand how to communicate respectfully and professionally in German—a skill that’s important both for the exam and everyday life in Germany.
Structure of a Formal Email
To make sure your response is clear and professional, it’s important to follow a standard structure. Here’s a simple guide:
- Anrede (Greeting): Always start with a formal greeting. If you know the name of the person, use “Sehr geehrte Frau/Herr [Last Name].” If you don’t know the recipient, use “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren.”
- Einleitung (Introduction): The introduction should explain why you’re writing. Keep it polite and straightforward. For example, you might write: “Ich schreibe Ihnen, weil ich leider nicht…“
- Hauptteil (Main Part): This is where you explain the situation in more detail. Stay on topic and keep it brief. For instance, if you’re writing to explain why you can’t attend a meeting, you might say: „Ich entschuldige mich, dass ich an diesem Tag nicht kommen kann, da ich…“
- Schluss (Conclusion): Wrap up your email with a respectful closing. You can either suggest a solution or simply express your regret. End with “Mit freundlichen Grüßen,” followed by your full name.
Example Question and Response
Let’s walk through an example together! Imagine you’ve been invited to a meeting by your course leader, Frau Müller, to discuss your personal learning goals. Unfortunately, you can’t attend the scheduled time because you have a university exam. How would you write to her?
The question:
“Ihre Kursleiterin, Frau Müller, hat Sie zu einem Gespräch über Ihre persönlichen Lernziele eingeladen. Zu dem Termin können Sie aber nicht kommen. Schreiben Sie an Frau Müller. Entschuldigen Sie sich höflich und berichten Sie, warum Sie nicht kommen können.”
Sample response:
Sehr geehrte Frau Müller,
leider kann ich am Gespräch über meine persönlichen Lernziele nicht teilnehmen, da ich an diesem Tag eine wichtige Prüfung an der Universität habe. Es wäre sehr hilfreich, wenn wir einen neuen Termin für das Gespräch vereinbaren könnten.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Thi Kim Thi Nguyen
Helpful Tips
Here are a few tips to help you master this writing task:
- Keep it formal: Always use polite forms like Sie and avoid informal language.
- Be clear and concise: Don’t overcomplicate your sentences. Stick to the point!
- Use appropriate phrases: Familiarize yourself with helpful expressions (Redemittel) for different situations. For example, phrases like „Könnten Sie mir bitte mitteilen…“ are perfect for requesting information, while „Ich entschuldige mich…“ works well for apologies.
- Stick to the word limit: Keep it short and focused—around 40 words is ideal.
Redemittel (Useful Phrases) for Formal Emails
Final Thoughts
I hope this blog post gives you the confidence to approach Part 3 of the Goethe B1 writing exam with ease. Writing formal emails may seem daunting at first, but with practice and the right structure, you’ll be able to handle any scenario they throw at you.
If you found these tips helpful, be sure to share this post with anyone you know who’s preparing for their Goethe B1 exam. And of course, if you haven’t already, check out my video on this topic for even more insights and examples!
Viel Erfolg!
