B2 Writing Complaint

Information about Complaints in the B2 Exam

Purpose and Relevance

In the written production section, the task may appear to formally describe an issue and propose a solution. The assessment focuses on whether the writer can express their concern clearly, remain polite, and present a structured argument in German. Good preparation helps complete the complaint letter precisely within the given time.

Recommended Structure

1. Salutation – neutral greeting to the responsible party.
2. Context – brief reference to a contract, invoice, or event.
3. Description – explain factually what went wrong.
4. Expectation – state clearly what should be corrected or refunded.
5. Deadline – set a reasonable date for a reply.
6. Closing – thank the recipient and include a formal sign-off.

Typical Topics

• Missed delivery times for online orders
• Poor service in a hotel or course center
• Faulty technical devices despite warranty
• Overcharged service fees in a bill

Useful Phrases (Used Sparingly)

• “Unfortunately, I must point out that …”
• “With this letter, I request …”
• “Thank you in advance for your response by …”
• “If you have any questions, I will be happy to assist.”

Expert Tip from Olena

Olena, the creator of this learning platform, designs all exercises in collaboration with teachers and examiners from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Her suggestion: during preparation, create mini-sketches using keywords rather than memorizing full sentences. This keeps your writing flexible and authentic.

Other Expert Opinions

• Dr. Anja Lenz (writing specialist): A clear proposal for a solution increases the chance of a positive response.
• Samuel Ortiz (communication coach): Short sentences without filler words are more convincing and save time in the exam.

Course Participant Experiences

• “Practicing with real examples made me more confident in tone.” – Emilia, marketing
• “Preparation checklists helped me avoid forgetting anything.” – Leon, technical field

Compact Practice for Home

Choose a current topic, such as “Flight ticket cancellation.” Write down keywords for the problem, your request, and a deadline. Then draft a complete text of no more than 190 words in 20 minutes. Compare your version with a model to review word choice and logic.

Those who master these steps save time, stay organized, and write a well-structured complaint in the B2 writing section. This is a reliable way to earn valuable points during the exam.