Preparing for the B1 German exam — Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, or ÖSD Zertifikat B1? These exams assess similar B1 communication skills: discussing familiar topics, expressing opinions, describing experiences, and producing everyday written texts. Their exact task formats differ, so the practical move is to practise the common topics and then shape each answer to your chosen exam. This page turns the 100 most frequent B1 themes into a ready Sprechen (speaking) prompt and Schreiben (writing) prompt each, with the German Redemittel (set phrases) you can use to organise a clear B1 answer. Everything here is original DeuTale practice material, not official exam questions.
Jump to the topic library, the response frameworks, or two worked examples.
On this page
- How to use these topics for Goethe, telc & ÖSD B1
- The 100 topic library (with prompts) — 9 theme groups
- 10 speaking & writing response frameworks
- 2 worked examples (speaking + writing)
- B1 self-assessment checklist
- Universal B1 opinion phrases (Redemittel)
How to use these topics for Goethe, telc & ÖSD B1
The themes below appear across all three B1 exams, but the task formats and timings differ. Practise the topics here, then confirm the current tasks and word/time limits on the official provider page before your test.
| Exam | How to use this page |
|---|---|
| Goethe-Zertifikat B1 | Practise familiar topics for collaborative planning, a short presentation, personal messages, opinion texts, and short formal communication. The writing module has three parts (personal/informal message, opinion contribution, short formal message). Confirm current tasks with the official model test. |
| telc Deutsch B1 | Use the topics for everyday writing and the three-part oral examination. The official telc B1 format includes a written examination (reading, language elements, listening, writing) plus an oral examination of about 15 minutes after roughly 20 minutes of preparation. |
| ÖSD Zertifikat B1 | Practise the four separately certifiable modules, especially personal writing, opinion, short formal communication, collaborative planning, and topic presentation. |
Note on lengths: The suggested speaking and writing lengths on this page (about one minute of speech; roughly 80–100 words) are DeuTale practice targets, not universal exam requirements. Follow the instructions and timing in the official model test for the exam you select.
The 100 topic library (with speaking & writing prompts)
Each topic gives you a Sprechen prompt (a good practice target is speaking for about a minute) and a Schreiben prompt tagged with its B1 text type — [informelle E-Mail], [Forumsbeitrag], or [formelle Nachricht] — so you practise the three formats B1 writing actually tests. The Redemittel block after each group lists useful B1 phrases that help you organise an answer clearly. To build the German words each theme needs, work through DeuTale’s 2,500-word B1 vocabulary pack.
⭐ Group 1 — Meinung & Gesellschaft (Opinion & society)
The most common B1 theme: give an opinion, justify it, and react to other views.
| Topic | Speaking prompt | Writing prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Social media | Should teenagers use social media? Give your opinion and two reasons. | React to a forum question “Ist Social Media gut für Jugendliche?” [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Smartphones | Describe how your phone helps you and distracts you. | Tell a friend how you use your phone and ask about theirs. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Online learning | Compare learning online and in a classroom — which do you prefer? | Comment on an article claiming online courses are better. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Reading today | Do people read less now than before? Why? | Give your view on e-books vs. paper books in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Fast food vs. cooking | Compare fast food and home cooking — what do you prefer? | Post the pros and cons of fast food in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| School uniforms | Are school uniforms a good idea? Give your opinion. | Comment on a forum thread about school uniforms. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Homework | Do students get too much homework? | Argue for or against homework in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| City vs. countryside | Would you rather live in a city or the countryside? | Recommend one to a friend who is about to move. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Pets in families | Are pets good for children? | React to “Sollten Kinder ein Haustier haben?” in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Advertising (Werbung) | Does advertising influence what you buy? | Give your view on advertising aimed at children. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| News & media | Where and how do you follow the news? | Discuss whether social media are good news sources. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Foreign languages | Why should people learn foreign languages? | Tell a friend why you are learning German. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Volunteering (Ehrenamt) | Would you do volunteer work? For what cause? | Discuss whether schools should require volunteering. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Living abroad | What is difficult, and what is good, about living in another country? | Tell a friend how you are settling into a new country. [informelle E-Mail] |
Redemittel — Meinung: Meiner Meinung nach … · Ich bin der Meinung, dass … · Ich finde, dass … , weil … · Ein Vorteil / Nachteil ist, dass … · Einerseits … , andererseits … · Zum Schluss möchte ich sagen, dass …
Word order: after andererseits the verb comes first: Einerseits ist das Auto bequem, andererseits ist es teuer.
⭐ Group 2 — Umwelt (Environment)
B1 exams love sustainability opinions and simple suggestions.
| Topic | Speaking prompt | Writing prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Recycling | Describe how your household separates waste. | Send a friend tips on separating waste at home. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Plastic waste | Suggest how we can use less plastic. | Post ideas for reducing plastic in daily life. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Saving electricity | How do you save energy at home? | Share energy-saving tips with a friend. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Saving water | Why is saving water important? | Post simple ways to save water in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Climate action | What can you do about climate change? | Give your view on personal climate action. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Renewable energy | Should we use more solar and wind power? | Post the advantages of renewable energy. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Organic food | Is organic food worth the higher price? | Compare organic and normal food in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Pollution in cities | Suggest how cities could reduce pollution. | Post ideas for cleaner cities. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Protecting animals | Why should we protect animals? | Post ways to protect wildlife. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Second-hand shopping | Is buying used items a good idea? | Give the pros and cons of buying second-hand. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Local vs. imported food | Should we buy local food? | Compare local and imported food in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Recycling in your building | Is waste separation easy where you live? | Ask the building management for more recycling bins. [formelle Nachricht] |
Redemittel — Umwelt: Wir sollten … , um … zu schützen · Es ist wichtig, dass wir … · Ein großes Problem ist, dass … · Eine Lösung wäre, … · Wenn jeder … , dann …
Word order: wenn sends its verb to the end, and dann puts its verb first: Wenn jeder Müll trennt, dann hilft das der Umwelt.
⭐ Group 3 — Freizeit & Hobbys (Free time & hobbies)
Very common in both Sprechen and Schreiben — describe activities and invite others.
| Topic | Speaking prompt | Writing prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Sport in daily life | What sport do you do, and why? | Invite a friend to do a sport with you. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Swimming | Describe a day at the pool or a lake. | Tell a friend about a swimming trip. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Cooking | Describe a dish you like to make. | Share a simple recipe with a friend. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Playing an instrument | Do you play music, or would you like to? | Discuss whether adults should learn an instrument. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Photography | Do you take photos? Of what? | Recommend photography as a hobby to a friend. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Gaming | Are video games a good hobby? | Post the pros and cons of gaming in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Hiking | Describe a hike you have done. | Invite a friend on a hike this weekend. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Gardening | Is gardening a good hobby? | Post about growing plants at home. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Dancing | Do you like dancing? | Tell a friend about a dance class you tried. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Concerts & festivals | Describe a concert you attended. | Invite a friend to a concert or festival. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Learning new skills | What skill would you like to learn? | Discuss the best way to learn a new skill. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| DIY & repairs | Do you fix or build things yourself? | Ask a friend to help with a DIY project. [informelle E-Mail] |
Redemittel — Freizeit: In meiner Freizeit spiele ich gern Fußball. · Am liebsten … · Das macht mir Spaß, weil … · Früher habe ich … , heute … · Ich würde gern … lernen.
Word order: in a In meiner Freizeit … sentence the verb still comes second — put the activity’s verb right after Freizeit: In meiner Freizeit gehe ich gern schwimmen.
⭐ Group 4 — Arbeit & Beruf (Work & career)
Frequent in B1 Schreiben (emails) and Sprechen discussions.
| Topic | Speaking prompt | Writing prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Job applications | What makes a good application? | Write a short application email for a job. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Flexible hours | Are flexible working hours a good idea? | Give your view on flexible hours in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Remote work | Compare home office and the workplace. | Post the pros and cons of the home office. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Students working | Should students take a part-time job? | Advise a friend who is thinking about it. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Work stress | Suggest how to reduce stress at work. | Send a colleague tips for handling work stress. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Teamwork | Do you prefer working alone or in a team? | Post your view on teamwork in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Further training | Is professional training important? | Ask your manager about a training course. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Internships | Are internships worth doing? | Post about the value of internships. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Job interviews | How do you prepare for an interview? | Give a friend advice before an interview. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Workplace conflicts | How should conflicts at work be solved? | Write politely to a colleague to solve a problem. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Customer service | What makes good customer service? | Write a complaint email about poor service. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Work–life balance | How important is free time next to work? | Give your view on balancing work and free time. [Forumsbeitrag] |
Redemittel — Arbeit: Ich bewerbe mich um die Stelle als … · Ich habe Erfahrung mit … · Ein Vorteil des Homeoffice ist, dass … · Könnten Sie mir bitte … mitteilen? · Ich freue mich auf Ihre Antwort.
⭐ Group 5 — Reisen & Verkehr (Travel & transport)
| Topic | Speaking prompt | Writing prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Booking a hotel | How do you choose a hotel? | Write an email to book a hotel room. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Planning a trip | Plan a short trip together with a partner (agree on when and where). | Tell a friend about the trip you are planning. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Delayed trains | What do you do when a train is late? | Write a complaint about a delayed train. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Public transport | Is public transport in your city easy to use? | Discuss whether public transport should be cheaper. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Train vs. plane | Compare travelling by train and by plane. | Compare train and plane for holidays in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Cultural differences | Describe something that surprised you abroad. | Tell a friend about cultural differences you noticed. [informelle E-Mail] |
| A memorable holiday | Describe your best holiday. | Tell a friend about a holiday you remember well. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Visiting your area | What should visitors see where you live? | Recommend local attractions to a visiting friend. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Language abroad | How do you cope with language when travelling? | Tell a friend about a language problem on a trip. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Car vs. bike | Compare cars and bikes for daily trips. | Post whether your city needs more bike lanes. [Forumsbeitrag] |
Redemittel — Reisen: Ich möchte ein Zimmer für … Nächte reservieren. · Leider hatte der Zug Verspätung. · Ich würde dir … empfehlen. · Am besten reist man mit … , weil …
⭐ Group 6 — Gesundheit & Wohlbefinden (Health & well-being)
| Topic | Speaking prompt | Writing prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy lifestyle | What does a healthy life mean to you? | Tell a friend how you try to stay healthy. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Diet & nutrition | Is healthy eating difficult today? | Post your view on a balanced diet. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Exercise habits | How much exercise is enough? | Tell a friend about your exercise routine. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Relaxing when stressed | What simple activities help you relax? | Recommend relaxing activities to a stressed friend. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Sleep routines | Why is sleep important? | Post your view on good sleep habits. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Doctor’s appointments | When do you go to the doctor? | Write to move or cancel an appointment. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Being ill | How do you deal with a cold or flu? | Write to your teacher or boss that you are ill. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Switching off | How do you relax after work or study? | Recommend ways to switch off to a friend. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Sport clubs | Would you join a sports club? Why? | Ask a club for membership information. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Helping others | How would you help someone who feels unwell? | Tell a friend about a time you helped someone. [informelle E-Mail] |
Redemittel — Gesundheit: Um gesund zu bleiben, sollte man … · Ich fühle mich nicht wohl. · Leider kann ich nicht kommen, weil ich krank bin. · Es tut mir gut, wenn ich …
⭐ Group 7 — Wohnen & Alltag (Housing & everyday life)
| Topic | Speaking prompt | Writing prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Renting a flat | What matters when renting a flat? | Email a landlord asking about a flat for rent. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Neighbours | What makes a good neighbour? | Write a polite note to a neighbour. [informelle E-Mail] |
| A problem in your flat | Describe a problem you had at home and what you wanted done. | Tell your landlord the heating is broken and ask for a repair. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Sharing housework | Who should do the housework at home? | Suggest a chore plan to your flatmate. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Moving to a new city | What is hard about moving? | Tell a friend about your move to a new city. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Furniture shopping | New or second-hand furniture? | Tell a friend how you furnished your flat. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Internet / phone contracts | What matters in a contract? | Write to cancel or change a contract. [formelle Nachricht] |
| Monthly costs | How do you keep track of your bills? | Send a friend tips for saving money at home. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Shared housing (WG) | Are the advantages of a WG worth it? | Give your view on shared-flat life in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Noise in the building | How do you handle noisy neighbours? | Write a polite note asking a neighbour to be quieter. [informelle E-Mail] |
Redemittel — Wohnen: Ich interessiere mich für die Wohnung. · Könnten Sie das bitte reparieren? · In einer WG muss man Rücksicht nehmen. · Ein Vorteil ist, dass man die Kosten teilt.
⭐ Group 8 — Familie, Freunde & Feste (Family, friends & celebrations)
High-frequency B1 themes that let you describe people, relationships, and events.
| Topic | Speaking prompt | Writing prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Family & generations | Should young adults live with their parents? Give your view. | Discuss living with parents vs. moving out in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Family life | Who does what in your family? | Tell a friend about a normal day in your family. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Grandparents | What role do grandparents play in a family? | Tell a friend about time you spend with grandparents. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Friendship | What makes a good friend? | Discuss whether online friendships are “real”. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Meeting friends | How do you like to spend time with friends? | Invite friends to a get-together. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Birthdays | How do you celebrate birthdays? | Invite a friend to your birthday party. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Weddings | Describe a wedding you have attended. | Reply to a friend’s wedding invitation. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Festivals & holidays | Describe a festival or holiday in your country. | Post about your favourite holiday in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Giving gifts | What makes a good gift? | Ask a friend for gift ideas for someone. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Changing plans | How do you tell someone you can’t come? | Apologise for missing an event and suggest a new date. [informelle E-Mail] |
Redemittel — Familie & Feste: Wir feiern … immer mit der ganzen Familie. · Es tut mir leid, aber ich kann leider nicht kommen. · Wollen wir uns am … treffen? · Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum …! · Vielen Dank für die Einladung.
⭐ Group 9 — Bildung, Geld & Konsum (Education, money & spending)
| Topic | Speaking prompt | Writing prompt |
|---|---|---|
| School memories | What did you like or dislike at school? | Tell a friend about your school days. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Studies vs. Ausbildung | University or an apprenticeship — your view? | Discuss whether a degree is necessary today. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Studying abroad | Would you like to study in another country? | Tell a friend about your study-abroad idea. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Lifelong learning | Is it ever too late to learn something new? | Give your view on adult learning in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Where you study best | Where do you concentrate best? | Suggest a good place to study to a friend. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Saving money | How do you try to save money? | Send a friend your best money-saving tips. [informelle E-Mail] |
| Pocket money | Should children get pocket money? | Give your view on Taschengeld in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Shopping habits | Do you prefer shopping online or in shops? | Compare online and in-store shopping in a forum. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Offers & discounts | Do you look for offers and discounts? | Discuss whether discounts are really worth it. [Forumsbeitrag] |
| Bigger purchases | How do you decide on an expensive purchase? | Ask a friend for advice before a big purchase. [informelle E-Mail] |
Redemittel — Bildung & Geld: Ich habe … gelernt / studiert. · Es lohnt sich, weil … · Ich spare Geld, indem ich … · Das ist mir zu teuer. · Ich würde dir raten, … zu …
10 speaking & writing response frameworks
Don’t memorise scripts — learn a structure you can apply to any topic. These frameworks help you organise common B1 speaking and writing tasks; they are practice structures, not official scoring formulas. For joining your ideas smoothly, two-part connectors such as nicht nur … sondern auch help lift answers above A2.
- Opinion (Meinung): State opinion → reason 1 → reason 2 → example → conclusion.
- Advantages & disadvantages: Introduce topic → Ein Vorteil ist … → Ein Nachteil ist … → your position.
- Personal experience: When/where → what happened → how you felt → what you learned.
- Suggestion / advice: Problem → Ich würde vorschlagen, dass … → reason → alternative.
- Comparison: A vs. B → A ist … , während B … → which you prefer and why.
- Informal email: Greeting (Liebe/r …) → reason for writing → main point → request → close (Viele Grüße).
- Complaint / formal request: Polite opener → the problem → what you expect → Ich erwarte … → polite close.
- Forum contribution: React to the question → your view → one counter-view → Zusammenfassend …
- Presentation (Sprechen Teil): Introduce topic → situation in your country → advantages/disadvantages → your experience → your opinion.
- Planning a task (dialogue): Suggest → Wie wäre es, wenn wir …? → agree/disagree → decide together.
2 worked examples (speaking + writing)
Original DeuTale practice responses — not official exam answers. Use them as models, then write your own.
Speaking — Opinion on public transport (~1 min):
Meiner Meinung nach sollte der öffentliche Nahverkehr in großen Städten günstiger sein. Erstens ist er umweltfreundlicher als das Auto, weil weniger Abgase entstehen. Zweitens können sich nicht alle Menschen ein Auto leisten. Ein Nachteil ist, dass Busse und Bahnen manchmal Verspätung haben. Trotzdem finde ich, dass die Vorteile überwiegen. Zum Schluss möchte ich sagen, dass gute öffentliche Verkehrsmittel gut für die Umwelt und für die Menschen sind.
Why this works: it follows the Opinion framework — clear position, two reasons (erstens / zweitens), one counter-point (ein Nachteil), and a conclusion (zum Schluss).
Writing — Advantages & disadvantages of the home office (~90 words) [Forumsbeitrag]:
Immer mehr Menschen arbeiten von zu Hause. Einerseits hat das Homeoffice viele Vorteile: Man spart Zeit, weil man nicht pendeln muss, und man kann flexibler arbeiten. Andererseits gibt es auch Nachteile. Zu Hause fehlt manchmal die Konzentration, und man trifft die Kollegen nicht persönlich. Meiner Meinung nach ist eine Mischung am besten: zwei oder drei Tage im Homeoffice und die anderen Tage im Büro. So kann man die Vorteile beider Möglichkeiten nutzen.
Why this works: it uses the Advantages & disadvantages framework with einerseits / andererseits, then states a clear position — the structure a forum post rewards at B1.
B1 self-assessment checklist
Before your exam, can you do the following for any topic above? (The lengths and times are DeuTale practice targets — check your exam’s official limits.)
- Give an opinion and two reasons in German (Meiner Meinung nach … , weil …)
- Name one advantage and one disadvantage (Ein Vorteil / Nachteil ist, dass …)
- Describe a personal experience in the past (Perfekt: Ich habe … gemacht)
- Write a short informal email with greeting, request, and closing
- Write a short complaint or request politely with polite forms like Könnten Sie …?
- Speak for about a minute on a topic without stopping
- Write a short everyday text (aim for 80–100 words) in the time you are given
- Use at least 5 connectors (weil, deshalb, trotzdem, außerdem, obwohl)
Universal B1 opinion phrases (Redemittel)
These work for any topic and help make your B1 responses clearer and better organised:
- Meiner Meinung nach … — In my opinion …
- Ich bin der Meinung, dass … — I’m of the opinion that …
- Ich finde das wichtig, weil … — I find that important because …
- Ein Vorteil ist, dass … — One advantage is that …
- Ein Nachteil ist, dass … — One disadvantage is that …
- Einerseits … , andererseits … — On the one hand … on the other …
- Außerdem … / Darüber hinaus … — Furthermore …
- Trotzdem … / Dennoch … — Nevertheless …
- Zum Schluss möchte ich sagen, dass … — Finally, I’d like to say that …
Keep practising
- Build the vocabulary these topics need with DeuTale’s Goethe B1 vocabulary list study guide
- Drill the grammar behind these answers with DeuTale’s B1 grammar drills
- Test yourself under exam conditions with B1 mock exams
- See DeuTale’s A1 model-answer and scoring examples for how written answers are marked at A1
- Understand the exam layout in the B1 module details guide
