In Task 1 of the DELE B2 writing paper you listen to an audio recording twice and, based on it and on some compulsory points, you write a letter or an email of 150 to 180 words, almost always in a formal register. To do it well you need a fixed structure (greeting, reason for writing, development, request or proposal, sign-off and signature), a repertoire of B2 formulas and connectors, and to cover every point. Here you'll find all of that and three annotated model letters: a complaint, a request and a recommendation.

You've been preparing for the DELE B2 for weeks, you sit down with Task 1 of Prueba 3 and you get the same feeling again: you can write it, yes, but it comes out flat. It lacks the natural feel of a real formal letter. And when you read models online, they all sound like a robot wrote them.

That's completely normal. The B2 formal letter has a closed structure, a set of almost fixed formulas and a very specific register that you don't practise in everyday life. That's why it's worth preparing it methodically. Let's go step by step.

What does Task 1 of the DELE B2 writing paper involve?

Prueba 3 of the DELE B2 (Expresión e interacción escritas, the writing paper) lasts 80 minutes and has two tasks, which carry equal weight: 50 % of the mark each. Task 1 starts with an audio recording that all candidates hear, played twice. The two listenings take up about 7-10 minutes at the start of the paper.

Then, based on that recording and on a prompt with some points (pautas), you have to write a letter or an email of 150 to 180 words. You don't have to summarise the recording: it's there to give you ideas and details to develop the points, which are compulsory. There are no options in this task: everyone hears the same recording and writes from the same prompt.

The problem isn't that it's technically difficult. It's that it combines three things that are rarely practised together:

  • Understanding the recording and keeping the essentials: what's happening, who it affects, why, and what solution is proposed.
  • A closed structure, with greeting, sign-off, paragraphs and specific formulas.
  • A formal register sustained over 150-180 words, without slipping into colloquialisms or odd pomposity.

Here's the video where I work through a complete example of the B2 writing paper, step by step:

How is the letter assessed?

Each task gets two marks: an overall (holistic) one, worth 40 %, and one based on rating scales (analytic), worth 60 %. The analytic scale looks at four aspects:

  1. Genre appropriateness. Does your text have the format you were asked for (a letter with sender, date and addressee, or an email), the right register and all the points?
  2. Coherence. Is it well organised? Do you use varied connectors to link your ideas?
  3. Accuracy. Are there grammar or spelling mistakes, especially repeated ones?
  4. Range. Are your vocabulary and structures varied and precise, at B2 level?

Each aspect is marked from 0 to 3, and band 2 corresponds to B2 level.

What structure should the B2 formal letter have?

Before the models, this is the structure that has to be there:

  1. If it's a letter: your details (sender), place and date, and the addressee's details where appropriate. If it's an email: the subject line.
  2. A formal greeting: “Estimado/a señor/a:”, “Distinguido/a señor/a:”, “A la atención de…”.
  3. An opening paragraph with the reason for writing: who you are and why you're writing.
  4. One or more development paragraphs: the problem, the request or the opinion, using what you took from the recording and covering the points.
  5. A closing paragraph with what you're asking for, proposing or recommending.
  6. A formal sign-off: “Atentamente,”, “Reciba un cordial saludo,”, “Quedo a la espera de su respuesta.”.
  7. Your signature.

Quick tip: the greeting and the sign-off must match in register. If you open with “Estimado señor:”, don't close with “Un saludo”. Consistency above all.

Which formulas do you need to know by heart?

Don't improvise them on exam day. Memorise a minimum repertoire and use it every time.

Formal greetings:

  • Estimado/a señor/a:
  • Distinguido/a señor/a:
  • A la atención del departamento de…
  • Muy señor/a mío/a:

To introduce the reason for writing:

  • Me dirijo a usted/es con motivo de…
  • Me pongo en contacto con usted/es para…
  • El motivo de esta carta es…
  • Tras haber leído su anuncio en…

To introduce a complaint:

  • Quisiera manifestar mi malestar por…
  • Lamento comunicarles que…
  • No puedo dejar de mostrar mi descontento ante…
  • Considero inaceptable que…

To introduce a request:

  • Les ruego que…
  • Me gustaría solicitar…
  • Agradecería que…
  • Quisiera saber si sería posible…

To introduce a recommendation or opinion:

  • En mi opinión,…
  • Desde mi punto de vista,…
  • Considero conveniente que…
  • Me parece fundamental que…

Formal sign-offs:

  • Atentamente,
  • Reciba un cordial saludo,
  • Quedo a la espera de su respuesta.
  • Aprovecho la ocasión para saludarle/s atentamente.

Essential B2 connectors:

  • Por un lado,… por otro,…
  • En primer lugar,… en segundo lugar,…
  • No obstante,…
  • Sin embargo,…
  • Asimismo,…
  • Por consiguiente,…
  • A pesar de que…
  • Dado que…

If you'd like to extend this list, you'll find many more in connectors and discourse markers for the DELE B2.

Model 1: a complaint letter

What does a complaint letter need?

You have to keep a formal tone even if you're angry. No “es que es una vergüenza” or “no me lo puedo creer”.

You also have to structure the complaint: the reason, concrete details (dates, amounts, the situation), a critical assessment and a request for a solution. If you only complain without asking for anything, half of it is missing. If you ask for something without justifying it, the same goes.

And above all, keep it formal right to the end. Lots of people start out very formal and end up using “tú” or exclamations.

Model: a complaint to a hotel

Example situation: in the recording, a consumer association explains what to do when a hotel doesn't deliver what it advertises. The points ask you to introduce yourself, explain what happened during your stay, assess the service you received and ask for compensation.

De: laura.mendez@correomail.com
Para: recepcion@hotelvistamar.es
Asunto: Reclamación por la estancia del 12 al 16 de marzo (habitación 304)

Estimados señores:

Me dirijo a ustedes con motivo de la estancia que realicé en su establecimiento entre los días 12 y 16 de marzo, en la habitación 304. Lamento comunicarles que dicha estancia distó mucho de lo que promete su página web.

En primer lugar, la habitación no estaba limpia a mi llegada y, a pesar de avisar en recepción, no se solucionó hasta veinticuatro horas después. Asimismo, el aire acondicionado no funcionaba correctamente, lo que hizo que las noches fueran prácticamente insoportables, dado que la temperatura exterior superaba los treinta grados.

Por otro lado, el desayuno ofrecía una variedad muy inferior a la anunciada y el personal no atendió ninguna de mis quejas.

Considero inaceptable que un establecimiento de su categoría ofrezca este servicio. Por consiguiente, les ruego que estudien la posibilidad de reembolsarme parcialmente el importe abonado y que tomen las medidas oportunas para evitar que esta situación se repita.

Quedo a la espera de su respuesta.

Atentamente,

Laura Méndez

About 162 words from greeting to signature. Within the 150-180 range.

Watch out for this: notice the concrete details (dates, room number, temperature). They add credibility and show lexical range.

Model 2: a request letter

What does a request letter need?

Here the tone changes. You're not angry: you're asking for something. The formality stays, but with a layer of politeness that wasn't there in the complaint.

You need to justify clearly what you're asking for and why you're the right person (for a grant, a course or a job) or why you need that information. With details from the context, not in the abstract.

And it's worth using explicit politeness formulas: “agradecería”, “le ruego”, “quedaría muy agradecido/a si…”. In a complaint you ask firmly; in a request, gently. If you'd like more structures for this type of letter, you'll find them in tips and useful structures for the request letter.

Model: applying for a course grant

Example situation: in the recording, the director of a language school presents a grant programme for international students. The points ask you to introduce yourself, explain why you're interested in the grant, justify your application and mention the documents you're attaching.

Karim Ben Salah
Rue d'Espagne, 12
1000 Túnez (Túnez)

Túnez, 24 de febrero de 2026

Distinguida señora directora:

Tras haber leído la convocatoria de becas publicada en la página web de su institución el pasado 10 de febrero, me pongo en contacto con usted para solicitar una de las plazas del curso intensivo de español del próximo semestre.

Mi nombre es Karim Ben Salah, soy estudiante de cuarto curso de Filología Hispánica en la Universidad de Túnez y, en la actualidad, preparo el examen DELE C1.

Considero que esta beca sería una oportunidad excepcional para profundizar en la lengua y la cultura del país y, asimismo, para completar mi formación académica en un entorno hispanohablante. Por mi expediente, así como por mi compromiso con el aprendizaje del español, creo poder aprovechar al máximo el programa.

Agradecería que tuvieran a bien valorar mi candidatura. Adjunto a esta carta mi certificado de notas y una carta de recomendación de mi tutora académica.

Quedo a su disposición para cualquier información adicional.

Reciba un cordial saludo,

Karim Ben Salah

About 160 words from greeting to signature.

My advice: in request letters, close with a sentence like “quedo a su disposición”. It's a very common formula in formal Spanish and it sounds very natural.

Model 3: a recommendation or opinion letter

What does a recommendation letter need?

It's the most argumentative of the three. Here you're not complaining or asking for anything: you're giving an opinion, recommending or advising against something, based on what you've heard in the recording.

Three things are key: keeping it formal even though you're giving a personal opinion, organising the content with clear arguments, and using B2-level connectors. This is where it shows most whether someone can handle “asimismo”, “no obstante” or “dado que”.

And above all, nuance. It's not enough to say “me parece bien” or “me parece mal”. You have to justify, give examples and show pros and cons if there are any.

Model: a recommendation on a residents' proposal

Example situation: in the recording, the president of your residents' association explains a proposal to install solar panels on the roof. The points ask you to introduce yourself, assess the advantages, point out your concerns and make a recommendation.

Carmen Suárez
Calle Mayor, 14, 3.º B
28013 Madrid

Madrid, 8 de mayo de 2026

Estimado señor presidente:

Me dirijo a usted como vecina del edificio en relación con la propuesta de instalar placas solares en la azotea comunitaria, que se debatirá en la próxima reunión de la comunidad.

En primer lugar, me parece fundamental que se valoren iniciativas de este tipo, ya que contribuyen tanto al ahorro económico de los vecinos como a reducir el impacto medioambiental del edificio. Asimismo, la instalación supondría una revalorización de la finca a medio plazo.

No obstante, antes de tomar una decisión, considero conveniente que se presenten al menos tres presupuestos de empresas distintas, así como un informe técnico que garantice que la azotea soporta el peso de los paneles. Sin un estudio previo, podríamos enfrentarnos a problemas serios.

Por consiguiente, recomiendo aprobar la propuesta en líneas generales, pero condicionada a la presentación de dicha documentación en un plazo razonable.

Quedo a la espera de poder debatir estos puntos en la reunión.

Atentamente,

Carmen Suárez

About 157 words from greeting to signature.

Which typical mistakes should you avoid in the B2 formal letter?

  • Mixing “tú” and “usted”. You start with “le ruego” and three paragraphs later out slips a “como ya os dije”. Choose your register and stick to it.
  • Coming up very short or going well over. Stick to 150-180 words. Below 150, you've usually missed a point; well above (more than about 200), you start to ramble and it won't fit on the sheet.
  • Forgetting a point. They're compulsory. Underline them before you write and spread them evenly through the text.
  • Summarising the recording instead of using it. The recording gives you ideas and details for the points; you don't need to retell it.
  • Forgetting the greeting, the sign-off or the letter details. It sounds silly, but with nerves it happens.
  • Always putting connectors at the start. Starting with “no obstante” is fine, but you can also place “sin embargo” mid-sentence. Variety shows.
  • Sign-offs that are too colloquial. “Un beso”, “un abrazo”. Only formal formulas like the ones above.

How should you split your time for Task 1?

Prueba 3 lasts 80 minutes, but the first 7-10 go on listening to the recording twice. That leaves about 70 minutes for both tasks, and there are no official timings per task. One way to organise each task:

  • 5 minutes to read the prompt, underline the points and plan in your head.
  • 10 minutes to make an outline: what goes in the introduction, in the development (with the points and what you took from the recording) and in the closing.
  • 15 minutes to write.
  • And at the end, once you've finished both tasks, about 5 minutes to review each one (points, agreement, spelling, word count and sign-off). With some distance from the text, mistakes are easier to spot.

On the first listening, focus on the general idea; on the second, note down single words and details you can use.

Frequently asked questions

How many words does the DELE B2 formal letter need?

Between 150 and 180. It's best to stick to that range: coming up very short usually means a point is missing, and going well over makes you ramble.

Is Task 1 always based on an audio recording?

Yes. All candidates hear the same recording twice at the start of the paper and write based on it and on the points in the prompt.

What types of letter can come up in the DELE B2?

It's always a letter or an email. Among the most common are complaints, requests (for information, a grant, a job), letters to an editor or an institution giving your opinion, and cover letters.

Can I use “tú” in the B2 letter?

Usually not: the register in this task is normally formal, so “usted” or “ustedes” is the norm. And whatever the register, don't mix pronouns within the same letter.

How much does Task 1 count in the Prueba 3 mark?

50 %. Both tasks in the writing paper carry the same weight.

Which task should I start with on exam day?

The Task 1 recording is played at the start of the paper, so the most natural thing is to start with that task while your notes are fresh. Then move on to Task 2.

Can I learn a letter by heart?

The structure, the formulas and the connectors, yes. Whole letters, no. Memorised texts show and, besides, the recording and the points change every exam session, so what you've memorised won't fit.

In short

  • Task 1 of the DELE B2 is a letter or email of 150-180 words based on a recording you hear twice and on some compulsory points.
  • Memorise a repertoire of formal greetings, formulas and sign-offs.
  • Identify the type of letter (complaint, request, opinion) and adjust your tone.
  • Always structure it: reason for writing, development covering every point and a closing with a clear request or proposal.
  • Keep the formal register right up to the signature.
  • Use varied B2-level connectors (don't settle for “y”, “pero”, “porque”).
  • Plan your time and leave a few minutes at the end to review.

Once the letter is under control, move on to Task 2: here's how to write a review in the DELE B2.

If you want to keep preparing for the DELE B2 task by task, my DELE B2 course gives you strategies for each paper, annotated examples, a community, a Q&A chat and group calls.

If you're still not sure the B2 is your level, take the level test first.

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¡A por el DELE! 🇪🇸