Exam Writing: A Problem Email
Exam Writing: A Problem Email
B1's signature writing task combines the formal-letter formulas from earlier with the complaint structure from this level — greeting, problem, request, closing — into one semi-formal email.
Grammar Comparison
Grammar Comparison
Four fixed slots, filled with content you already know how to build
Sehr geehrte Frau Schmidt, ... [Problem + Grund] ... Ich bitte Sie um eine baldige Antwort. Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Dear Ms. Schmidt, ... [problem + reason] ... I ask you for a prompt reply. Kind regards
This lesson introduces no new grammar — it's a checklist for combining Sehr geehrte.../Mit freundlichen Grüßen from the formal-letters lesson with the Das Problem besteht darin, dass... shape from the complaints lesson into a single exam-ready template. Practice slotting a new problem into these same four beats (greeting, problem statement, request, closing) until reaching for the right formula is automatic rather than something composed from scratch under exam time pressure.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Sehr geehrte/r ..., | zair geh-AIR-teh/geh-AIR-ter | Dear ..., (formal) |
| Ich schreibe Ihnen bezüglich... | ikh SHRY-beh EE-nen beh-TSUEG-likh | I'm writing to you regarding... |
| Leider muss ich mich beschweren, dass... | LY-der moos ikh mikh beh-SHVAIR-en, dahs | Unfortunately, I must complain that... |
| Das Problem besteht darin, dass... | dahs proh-BLAME beh-SHTAYT dah-RIN, dahs | The problem is that... |
| Ich bitte Sie um eine baldige Antwort. | ikh BIT-eh zee oom EYE-neh BAHL-dee-geh AHNT-vort | I ask you for a prompt reply. |
| Ich hoffe auf eine schnelle Lösung. | ikh HOF-eh owf EYE-neh SHNEL-eh LER-zoong | I hope for a quick solution. |
| Mit freundlichen Grüßen | mit FROYNT-likh-en GRUE-sen | Kind regards |
| Vielen Dank im Voraus für Ihr Verständnis. | FEE-len dahnk im for-OWS fuer eer fair-SHTENT-nis | Thank you in advance for your understanding. |