10.1 Tarea 1: Letters, Emails, & Forum Responses
Key Takeaways
Prueba 3 allocates 60 minutes for two writing tasks; candidates should invest approximately 25 minutes in Tarea 1 (100–120 words) and reserve 35 minutes for Tarea 2 (130–150 words).
Task 1 asks for 100–120 output words responding to an input described in the specifications as about 75–85 words.
Address and develop every requested point; no single missed point should be converted into an invented automatic overall fail rule.
Intermediate communicative competence requires expanding each prompt point with supporting details, causal connectors, or contextualized alternatives rather than brief, one-clause mentions.
Implementing a disciplined 25-minute execution framework (5 min outline, 15 min drafting, 5 min revision) prevents overtime and eliminates avoidable grammatical errors.
10.1 Tarea 1: Letters, Emails, & Forum Responses
Prueba 3: Expresión e interacción escritas evaluates your ability to produce coherent, communicative written Spanish across two distinct tasks within a strict 60-minute examination session. While Tarea 2 demands narrative or expository composition (130–150 words), Tarea 1 assesses written interaction (interacción escrita). In this task, you are not writing into an abstract void; you are actively responding to an incoming written stimulus—such as an email from a friend, a notice from a housing agency, a message from a colleague, or a post on an online community forum.
The two tasks have equal weighting in the analytic component. Writing also has holistic assessment: 40% holistic and 60% analytic overall. Success requires balancing three interlocking dimensions: strictly adhering to the quantitative word count (100–120 words), maintaining consistent sociolinguistic register, and systematically exhausting every single instructional requirement established by the Instituto Cervantes.
Official Task Architecture & Examination Parameters
In Tarea 1, candidates receive an input prompt consisting of two complementary components:
- The Input Stimulus (Texto de entrada): A short authentic text of 75 to 85 words. This text establishes the communicative scenario, the relationship between sender and recipient, the primary dilemma or invitation, and the required tone.
- The Prompt Instructions (Pautas de la consigna): A bulleted list containing 3 or 4 mandatory content points that you must address, develop, and integrate into your reply.
| Examination Parameter | Specification | Strategic Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Task Format | Written response / interaction | Must acknowledge the incoming message and react directly |
| Input Stimulus | 75–85 words | Establishes the register (informal tú vs. formal usted) |
| Output Word Count | 100–120 words | Target 110 words to ensure safety within scoring tolerances |
| Time Allocation | ~25 minutes | Preserves 35 minutes for the longer and more demanding Tarea 2 |
| Rating | Holistic plus analytic assessment | Two tasks equally weighted in the analytic component |
Note
Unlike receptive reading and listening tasks, written expression is evaluated by accredited human examiners using standardized analytic rubrics. The examiners evaluate Adecuación al género discursivo (Task Fulfillment), Coherencia (Text Organization & Cohesion), Corrección (Grammatical Accuracy), and Alcance (Lexical Range).
The Non-Negotiable Core: Task Fulfillment (Adecuación a la Consigna)
The most critical grading criterion in Tarea 1 is Adecuación al género discursivo. The Instituto Cervantes marking guidelines mandate that a candidate must address every single bullet point specified in the prompt.
Prompt Bullet 1: Agradecer la invitación y mostrar entusiasmo. --> Fully Developed (2 clauses)
Prompt Bullet 2: Explicar por qué no puedes ir en la fecha fijada. --> Fully Developed with Cause
Prompt Bullet 3: Proponer una fecha o actividad alternativa. --> Concrete Proposal + Detail
Prompt Bullet 4: Preguntar por los preparativos o el transporte. --> Direct Question + Context
The Penalty Mechanism for Omission
Answer all requested points. A missing or inadequately developed point harms task fulfillment, but do not translate a single omission into an invented automatic Band 1 cap or an overall examination failure. The published descriptors and the complete performance determine the rating.
Furthermore, superficial fulfillment (cumplimiento superficial) is heavily penalized. Merely writing «No puedo ir el sábado» without explaining why fails to meet B1 standards. A B1 response must expand the reason using causal discourse connectors: «Lamentablemente me resulta imposible acompañarte este sábado porque tengo que presentar un informe urgente en mi trabajo y estaré ocupado toda la tarde».
Important
Before writing your opening sentence, underline each bullet point in the examination booklet. As you draft your paragraphs, physically check off each bullet to guarantee 100% prompt fulfillment.
Typology of Prompt Scenarios & Communicative Functions
DELE B1 Tarea 1 stimuli revolve around four recurring communicative situations, each requiring specific functional formulas:
1. The Personal Invitation & Social Dilemma (Informal)
- Scenario: A friend, cousin, or former classmate invites you to a wedding, birthday party, weekend excursion, or cultural festival.
- Required Functions: Expressing joy or gratitude (¡Qué buena noticia!, Me alegro un montón por ti); declining or accepting (Me encantaría ir, pero..., Cuenta conmigo sin falta); providing realistic excuses (Es que justo ese fin de semana...); proposing alternative plans (¿Qué te parece si quedamos el viernes siguiente?).
2. Transactional & Information Inquiries (Formal or Semi-Formal)
- Scenario: You see an announcement for a language course, volunteer program, sports tournament, or housing rental and write to request details.
- Required Functions: Explaining the motivation for writing (Me dirijo a ustedes para solicitar información sobre...); asking precise questions regarding schedules, fees, and requirements (Quisiera saber cuáles son los horarios disponibles y si el material está incluido en el precio); expressing willingness to provide further details (Quedo a su disposición para facilitar cualquier dato adicional).
3. Workplace & Academic Notifications (Formal or Semi-Formal)
- Scenario: An email to a professor, supervisor, or coworker explaining an absence, requesting a deadline extension, or rescheduling an appointment.
- Required Functions: Apologizing respectfully (Siento comunicarle que..., Le ruego disculpe las molestias); detailing the cause (debido a un problema de salud imprevisto); proposing a catch-up solution (me comprometo a entregar el trabajo el próximo lunes a primera hora).
4. Public Forums & Community Notice Boards (Neutral / Semi-Formal)
- Scenario: A response to a discussion thread on a neighborhood portal regarding local recycling, public transport, or noise regulations.
- Required Functions: Introducing oneself (Soy residente del barrio desde hace tres años); evaluating the situation (En mi opinión, la iniciativa es muy positiva, aunque...); contributing personal recommendations (Considero imprescindible que el ayuntamiento aumente la frecuencia de los autobuses nocturnos).
The 25-Minute Tactical Pacing Protocol
To complete Tarea 1 with poise and leave sufficient time for Tarea 2, adhere strictly to the 5–15–5 minute rule:
[Min 0:00–0:05] Phase 1: Decoding & Outline (Analyze prompt, choose register, map bullets)
[Min 0:05–0:20] Phase 2: Drafting (Write salutation, 2 body paragraphs, sign-off)
[Min 0:20–0:25] Phase 3: Revision (Verify bullets, count words, check agreements & accents)
Phase 1: Decoding & Outline (5 Minutes)
- Read the input stimulus carefully. Identify who the sender is and establish the sociolinguistic register (tú vs. usted).
- Deconstruct the prompt bullets. On your scrap paper, write numbers 1 to 4 and jot down 2–3 key lexical terms and connectors for each bullet.
Phase 2: Drafting the Interaction (15 Minutes)
- Paragraph 1 (Opening & Reaction, ~25 words): Greeting + social formula + acknowledgement of the stimulus message.
- Paragraph 2 (Core Development, ~40 words): Address prompt bullets 1 and 2 with appropriate justifications.
- Paragraph 3 (Counter-Proposal / Questions, ~35 words): Address prompt bullets 3 and 4 with concrete proposals.
- Paragraph 4 (Closing & Farewell, ~15 words): Pre-closing formula + formal/informal valediction + signature.
Phase 3: Targeted Proofreading (5 Minutes)
- Verify that all prompt bullets appear clearly in the text.
- Perform an exact word count check (ensure your text falls between 100 and 120 words).
- Verify subject-verb agreement and gender/number concord across nouns and adjectives.
Tip
Never write a full rough draft on scrap paper and then recopy it. You will run out of time. Outline only bulleted ideas and key phrases on scrap paper, then write the actual sentences directly onto the designated space in the writing booklet.
Annotated Worked Model: The Mountain Excursion
Examine this realistic B1 prompt, model response, and analytical mapping:
The Prompt Stimulus
De: Marcos Soler (msoler_91@correo.es) Para: Candidato Asunto: Excursión a la sierra el sábado
¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? Te escribo porque varios amigos estamos organizando una ruta de senderismo por la sierra este sábado. Saldremos temprano en mi coche y comeremos bocadillos en la cima. Me encantaría que vinieras con nosotros porque hace meses que no nos vemos. ¿Te apuntas? Dime si necesitas que te recojamos en tu casa.
En su respuesta, usted debe:
- Agradecer la invitación y mostrar entusiasmo.
- Explicar por qué no puede asistir el sábado.
- Proponer una fecha o actividad alternativa para verse.
- Preguntar qué material o calzado recomienda llevar para la próxima salida.
The Model Response (111 Words)
¡Hola, Marcos!
¡Qué alegría recibir noticias tuyas! Muchísimas gracias por invitarme a la excursión a la sierra; la verdad es que me parece un plan fantástico y me encantaría pasar el día con vosotros.
Por desgracia, este sábado me resulta imposible acompañaros porque tengo que cuidar a mi sobrina pequeña mientras mis padres viajan a Valencia. ¡Qué pena no poder ir!
Sin embargo, el próximo domingo estaré totalmente libre. ¿Qué te parece si organizamos otra caminata o quedamos a comer en el centro para ponernos al día? Además, quería preguntarte qué tipo de calzado y ropa deportiva debería comprar para no cansarme tanto en las rutas.
Un abrazo muy fuerte,
David
Structural & Consigna Fulfillment Matrix
| Text segment | Words in the full paragraph | Prompt requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | 2 | Address Marcos |
| Opening paragraph | 32 | Thank him and express enthusiasm |
| Refusal paragraph | 27 | Explain the Saturday commitment |
| Alternative and question paragraph | 45 | Propose another date and ask about clothing/calzado |
| Closing and signature | 5 | End the informal message |
Total: 111 space-separated words, including greeting, closing and signature. This is a transparent practice count, not a claim about a separately published Cervantes counting algorithm. Each required point is visibly present.
Criteria for Reviewing the Response
The official Instituto Cervantes analytic rubric evaluates candidates across four distinct bands (0 to 3). Understanding what distinguishes passing performance from failure is essential:
- Adecuación al texto (practice focus): Fully complies with the communicative purpose; covers all prompt points without omissions; respects the genre conventions of letters/emails; stays within the 100–120 word limits.
- Coherencia y cohesión (practice focus): Clear paragraph divisions; logical sequence of ideas; seamless use of basic and intermediate discourse connectors (por desgracia, sin embargo, además, por eso); correct epistolary punctuation.
- Corrección gramatical (practice focus): Firm command of basic structures (present, past tenses, periphrases); occasional non-systematic slips that do not impede comprehension; solid gender/number concord.
- Alcance léxico (practice focus): Sufficient lexical repertoire to discuss daily topics, describe emotions, make invitations, and explain simple problems without excessive repetition.
Un candidato escribe 112 palabras con buena gramática pero omite una petición de la consigna. ¿Qué debe mejorar?
Debe incorporar el contenido omitido; la gramática por sí sola no demuestra cumplimiento de la tarea.
Debe pedir puntos extra por los acentos correctos.
Debe suponer que todo el examen ha sido anulado automáticamente.
No necesita cambiar nada porque la longitud basta.
Disponiendo de 60 minutos en total para completar las dos tareas de la Prueba 3 (Expresión e interacción escritas), ¿cuál es la distribución temporal más estratégica y recomendada para abordar la Tarea 1?
Dedicar 45 minutos a la Tarea 1 para asegurar la máxima puntuación y redactar la Tarea 2 en los 15 minutos restantes.
Dividir el tiempo en dos bloques exactos de 30 minutos sin realizar esquemas previos ni revisiones finales.
Asignar aproximadamente 25 minutos a la Tarea 1 (5 min de análisis y esquema, 15 min de redacción, 5 min de revisión), reservando 35 minutos para la Tarea 2.
Redactar primero la Tarea 2 durante 55 minutos y completar la Tarea 1 de forma improvisada en los últimos 5 minutos.
En un examen DELE B1, la pauta de la Tarea 1 solicita al candidato rechazar la invitación a un cumpleaños, explicar el motivo y proponer una alternativa para verse otro día. ¿Cuál de las siguientes estrategias cumple plenamente con la adecuación a la consigna?
Aceptar con entusiasmo la invitación al cumpleaños indicando qué regalo se va a comprar para la fiesta.
Explicar únicamente que no se puede asistir debido a un examen, despidiéndose de inmediato sin proponer ningún plan futuro.
Redactar una queja formal sobre el lugar elegido para la celebración solicitando que cambien la fecha del evento para todos los invitados.
Expresar pesar por no poder acudir justificando un compromiso previo insoslayable y proponer quedar a merendar juntos el fin de semana siguiente.
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.