In Task 2 of the DELE C1 writing paper you choose between two options: writing a report or an article based on a graph, or writing a formal letter or email in response to a short text. Neither is easier in itself: choose the one that lets you cover every guideline best in about 30 minutes and 180 to 220 words, and decide within the first few seconds of the task.

What does DELE C1 Writing Task 2 ask for?

Task 2 is part of Paper 3, “Expresión, mediación e interacción escritas” (written expression, mediation and interaction), which lasts 80 minutes for both tasks. According to the official DELE C1 guide, in Task 2:

  • You get two options and choose one.
  • You write a formal text of 180 to 220 words (recommended length).
  • Both tasks in the paper are worth the same: 50 % each.

The two options are always of the same kind:

  • Option 1 (graph): you're given a graph, an infographic or a diagram, and you write an academic text, a report or an article that responds to a given context.
  • Option 2 (letter or email): you're given a short text (an advert, a news item, a review, an extract from an opinion piece, a letter to a newspaper…) and you write a formal letter or email in response: a complaint, a request, a recommendation, a proposal…

A review or a blog post can appear as the input text in Option 2, but they're not the text you have to write.

Why does choosing well matter so much?

Each task is marked on four criteria: Coherence and cohesion, Accuracy, Range, and Appropriateness and task fulfilment. Appropriateness and task fulfilment carries the most weight: 34 % of the task mark, compared with 22 % for each of the other three.

That criterion checks whether you respond to every guideline, give the information that's relevant to the situation and the reader, and adapt the structure, tone and vocabulary to the genre you're asked for. If you write a letter that isn't laid out as a letter, or a report that only describes data without assessing it, that's exactly where you lose the most points, even if the text is well written.

So the useful question isn't “which one is easier?” but “which one lets me cover every guideline without hesitating?”.

How do you decide in a few seconds?

Don't spend long choosing. Here's what I recommend:

  1. Skim your favourite option. If the topic and guidelines suit you, stick with it.
  2. If you're unsure, skim the other one and decide straight away.
  3. Once you've chosen, read the instructions and the input text or graph carefully.
  4. And don't switch options halfway through: it's the fastest way to run out of time.

To make that decision quick on exam day, prepare both options even if you have a favourite. If you only prepare the graph and on the day the graph is on a topic you don't know well, you'll be glad to have the letter as plan B.

Option 1: the graph (report or article)

Option 1 always has a graph (or several) and always asks for a report or an article. The graphs tend to be fairly straightforward and don't contain huge amounts of data. And if they do, you don't need to comment on all of it: pick the figures that stand out or that you can compare.

What your text needs:

  • An introduction that sets out the topic, without copying the instructions.
  • Data presented meaningfully: compared with each other or highlighting what stands out, not listed one after another.
  • Vocabulary for talking about data: “se observa que”, “destaca por encima del resto”, “frente a”, “casi la mitad”, “apenas un 10 %”.
  • Your assessment, conclusions or proposals, depending on what the guidelines ask for.
  • Clearly separated paragraphs and the right register for whoever will read it.

It suits you if you're comfortable with data and percentages and the topic of the graph is familiar. It suits you less if the figures confuse you or if you tend to say only “es mucho” and “es poco”. For practice, see How to comment on graphs or statistics in the DELE and The graph task in the DELE: from listing figures to interpreting data.

Option 2: the formal letter or email

In Option 2 you always write a formal letter or email, often a complaint, although it can also be a request, a cover letter, a recommendation or a proposal. The input text gives you the context.

What your letter needs:

  • A formal greeting followed by a colon, not a comma: “Estimados señores:”, “Estimada directora:”, “A quien corresponda:”. Job titles are written in lower case in Spanish (director, alcaldesa, encargado de recursos humanos); “Sr.” and “Sra.” only take a capital letter as abbreviations.
  • An introduction that gets straight to the point: the reason for writing from the first line, with no “how are you”.
  • A body of about three paragraphs that responds to every guideline, with arguments and specific details.
  • A formal closing (thanking them for their attention, saying you look forward to a reply) and a sign-off: “Atentamente,” or “Le saluda atentamente,” followed by your name with two surnames, as is usual in Spanish.
  • Formal register from start to finish, never mixing tú and usted.

It suits you if you already handle formal letter phrases and the input text gives you concrete information to work with. It suits you less if tú slips in or your letters sound like B1. You'll find useful structures in Tips and useful structures for the request letter in DELE B2, C1 and C2.

How should you split your time on Task 2?

Of the 80 minutes in Paper 3, I recommend about 10 to listen to the Task 1 audio, about 40 to write Task 1 and a maximum of 30 minutes for Task 2, split like this:

  • 3 minutes to choose your option (in the first few seconds) and read the instructions and the text or graph carefully.
  • 7 minutes to outline on scrap paper: what you'll say in the introduction, the ideas for each paragraph, the discourse markers, the vocabulary and the ending.
  • 15 minutes to write on the answer sheet.
  • 5 minutes to reread and correct.

Practise at home with a timer and these limits. At first you'll take longer; with practice, your times will fall into place.

Do I need to count the words?

There's no need to count word by word: it wastes time. The 180-220 words are a recommendation. Task 2 has two sides of the answer sheet and it's normal to fill about one and a half. The practical approach is to work out, while practising, how many words you usually write per line and use the lines as your guide. What matters is that your text fits in its space and covers every guideline.

Remember too that the writing paper is done in pen, blue or black, with no correction fluid or erasable pens. If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single line and put the crossed-out part in brackets.

The mistakes that cost the most in Task 2

  • Not adapting to the genre. A letter with no greeting or sign-off, or an article laid out like a letter. You lose marks on the heaviest criterion.
  • Listing the figures from the graph without comparing or assessing them.
  • Missing a guideline. Every unanswered point costs you in appropriateness and task fulfilment.
  • Forgetting who you're writing to. You don't write to a customer service department the same way you write to a newspaper editor.
  • Copying sentences from the input text. Rephrase in your own words.
  • Mixing tú and usted in the letter.
  • Sticking to basic connectors. “Y”, “pero” and “porque” aren't enough at C1: bring in “habida cuenta de”, “siempre y cuando”, “en virtud de”, “si bien”.
  • Writing Task 2 on the Task 1 sheets (or vice versa). Each task has its own pages.

Frequently asked questions

What are the options in DELE C1 Writing Task 2?

Two. In the first you write an academic text, a report or an article based on a graph, an infographic or a diagram. In the second you write a formal letter or email in response to a short text.

How many words should it be?

The recommended length is 180 to 220 words. It isn't a strict limit, but your text has to fit on the two sides of the answer sheet and cover every guideline.

Is the graph or the letter better?

It depends on you. If you're comfortable with data and academic vocabulary, the graph. If you're at home with formal register and letter phrases, the letter. Ideally, prepare both and decide on the day depending on the topic.

Can I do Task 2 before Task 1?

Yes, the order is up to you, but decide it before the exam. The paper starts with the Task 1 audio, so many people prefer to do that task first, while the audio is still fresh.

How is Task 2 marked?

Two independent markers score it on four criteria (Coherence and cohesion, Accuracy, Range, and Appropriateness and task fulfilment), each from 0 to 3. Appropriateness and task fulfilment is worth 34 % of the task and the other three 22 % each.

In short

  • Option 1: a report or article based on a graph. Option 2: a formal letter or email based on a short text.
  • Choose in the first few seconds and don't switch.
  • Prepare both options, even if you have a favourite.
  • Appropriateness and task fulfilment is the heaviest criterion (34 %): answer every guideline and respect the genre.
  • 30 minutes maximum: 3 to choose and read, 7 to outline, 15 to write and 5 to check.
  • Don't count word by word: go by the lines and make sure the text fits on its two sides.

If you'd like to see step by step how the report, the article and each type of letter are built, my online DELE C1 course gives you strategies for each paper, commented examples, a community, a questions chat and group calls. If you're still not sure C1 is your level, take the free level test, and to get resources and reminders before each exam session, join the newsletter 💌.

¡A por el DELE! 🇪🇸