CEFR B1 Writing Prompts: 20 Practice Topics with Tips

Most intermediate learners can hold a conversation but freeze when asked to write. If you recognise that feeling, structured CEFR B1 writing prompts are the fastest route from hesitation to confidence. This guide gives you 20 practice topics, explains the four task types examiners use, and shows you exactly how B1 intermediate English writing is assessed — so every practice session moves you measurably forward.

This post is for self-study learners, classroom teachers, and anyone preparing for a certified B1 exam.

What Are CEFR B1 Writing Prompts?

CEFR B1 writing prompts are task instructions designed to assess whether a learner can produce written English at the B1 intermediate level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The CEFR is a six-level scale — A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 — published by the Council of Europe. It defines what a language user can do at each level. At B1, the framework states that a learner "can write straightforward connected texts on topics which are familiar or of personal interest."

In practice, that means writing emails, short essays, narratives, and descriptions that are logically organised, use a reasonable range of vocabulary, and contain only minor grammatical errors. For a broader overview of where B1 sits on the scale, see our English CEFR Levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) guide.

The Four Main B1 Writing Task Types

Before practising with prompts, it helps to understand the four task formats that appear in B1 writing tasks. Each tests a slightly different skill.

Knowing the task type before you write determines your tone, layout, and vocabulary choices. An informal email uses contractions and first-name sign-offs; a formal letter uses "Dear Sir/Madam" and full sentences throughout.

20 CEFR B1 Writing Prompts by Task Type

Informal Emails and Letters (5 prompts)

1. A friend is visiting your city next month. Write an email recommending two places to visit and explaining why you chose them.
2. You missed your English class last week. Write to your teacher explaining why and asking what homework was set.
3. A colleague is moving to a new city. Write a friendly message sharing advice about settling in.
4. You recently stayed with a host family abroad. Write a thank-you email describing what you enjoyed most.
5. Your pen pal asked you to describe a typical weekend in your country. Write your reply.

Formal Emails and Letters (5 prompts)

6. You bought a laptop online but received the wrong model. Write a formal email to customer services asking for a replacement.
7. You want to join a local sports club. Write a letter to the club secretary asking for membership details and fees.
8. You stayed in a hotel where the room was noisy and the service was poor. Write a letter of complaint.
9. A local library is looking for volunteers. Write a formal email explaining why you are interested and what skills you can offer.
10. You saw a job advertisement for a part-time English tutor. Write a short cover letter expressing your interest.

Descriptive and Narrative Paragraphs (5 prompts)

11. Describe a memorable journey you have taken. Include where you went, how you travelled, and what made it special.
12. Write about a person who has influenced you. Describe their appearance, personality, and the impact they have had.
13. Describe the neighbourhood where you grew up. What did you like or dislike about it?
14. Write about a time you had to solve an unexpected problem. What happened, and what did you do?
15. Describe your favourite type of weather and explain how it makes you feel.

Opinion and Discursive Essays (5 prompts — classic CEFR B1 essay topics)

16. "Young people spend too much time on social media." Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
17. Some people think that learning a foreign language at school should be compulsory. What is your view?
18. Is it better to live in a city or in the countryside? Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
19. "Working from home is better than working in an office." Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.
20. Some people believe that travel is the best way to learn about other cultures. What do you think?

How B1 Writing Is Assessed

Understanding the marking criteria is as valuable as practising the prompts themselves. CEFR B1 writing is assessed on four dimensions, aligned with the Council of Europe's official descriptors:

• Task completion — Did you address every bullet point or instruction in the prompt? Missing a required element costs marks even if your language is accurate.
• Coherence and cohesion — Is your text organised logically, with clear paragraphs and linking phrases (however, as a result, on the other hand)?
• Lexical range and accuracy — Do you use vocabulary beyond the most basic words, and is it used correctly?
• Grammatical range and accuracy — Do you demonstrate a variety of structures (conditionals, modals, perfect tenses) with generally correct usage?

At B1, examiners expect minor errors — a few mistakes are acceptable, provided they do not confuse the reader. The goal is clear, organised communication, not perfection.

Step-by-Step Method for Answering a B1 Writing Prompt

Follow these five steps for every practice task. The process takes the guesswork out of planning.

1. Read the prompt twice — identify the task type (email, essay, narrative) and underline every point you must cover.
2. Plan in 3–5 minutes — jot down two or three ideas per bullet point. A quick plan prevents blank-page paralysis and keeps your response focused.
3. Write a first draft — aim for your target word count without stopping to correct. Get ideas down first.
4. Add linking language — review your draft and insert connectors (firstly, however, as a result, in addition) to improve cohesion.
5. Proofread for accuracy — check verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and spelling. Read aloud quietly if it helps you catch errors.

This method works equally well for timed exams and self-study. Consistent use of it builds the habit of structured thinking before writing.

Vocabulary and Grammar to Use at B1 Level

Intermediate English writing is distinguished from A2 not just by accuracy, but by range. Use these language features deliberately in your practice tasks.

Vocabulary strategies:

• Replace common verbs: instead of "say", use mention, explain, suggest, claim.
• Use adverbs for nuance: particularly, generally, surprisingly, unfortunately.
• Group vocabulary by topic before writing (travel words, complaint words, opinion phrases).

Grammar to demonstrate:

• Past simple + past continuous for narratives: I was walking through the market when I noticed…
• Present perfect for recent or unspecified events: I have visited three European countries.
• Conditionals: If the weather is good, we could visit the park.
• Modal verbs: You should try the local food. It might surprise you.
• Comparatives and superlatives: The train was much faster than the bus.

If you are curious about what distinguishes B1 from B2, our post on how to improve your English from B1 to B2 breaks down the specific writing differences at each level.

Common Mistakes in B1 Writing Tasks

Based on our work with 135,000+ certificate holders across 210+ countries, these are the errors that appear most often in B1 intermediate English writing — and how to avoid them.

• Missing part of the prompt. Always re-read the task after writing to confirm every required point is addressed. A checklist takes 30 seconds and prevents lost marks.
• Over-translating from the first language. Translate your ideas, not your sentences. Write in English from the first word, even in your plan.
• Repetitive vocabulary. Using "good", "bad", and "big" throughout signals a weak lexical range. Keep a synonym list and actively replace basic words during proofreading.
• Inconsistent tense. Narratives should stay in the past; opinion essays use the present. Mixing tenses within a task confuses readers and assessors alike.
• Writing too much or too little. Responses significantly over the word limit introduce more errors; responses below the limit fail to demonstrate sufficient language. Practise hitting 120–180 words reliably.

What Comes After B1?

Once you can handle these B1 writing tasks confidently, the natural next step is B2. At B2, essays become more complex, arguments require evidence and counter-arguments, and formal writing demands a wider range of academic phrases. Our overview of B2 upper-intermediate English level explains precisely what skills are required at the next stage.

When you are ready to confirm your current level officially, the B1 intermediate English test issues a CEFR-aligned certificate recognised internationally — useful for university applications, visa requirements, and employer verification. IET is an ALTE Associate Member, which means our certificates meet internationally audited quality standards.

For context on how B1 compares to neighbouring levels, the B1 B2 English level comparison is a clear, practical reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of writing tasks appear at CEFR B1 level?

CEFR B1 writing tasks typically include informal emails, short formal letters, descriptive paragraphs, opinion essays, and narrative accounts. Each task tests your ability to organise ideas clearly, use a range of vocabulary, and apply basic grammatical structures with reasonable accuracy — usually in 120–180 words.

How long should a B1 English writing response be?

Most B1 writing tasks call for 120–180 words per response. Some exam formats extend this to 200 words. The key is covering all required points within the word limit — not padding with irrelevant detail. Quality, organisation, and task completion matter more than hitting a maximum word count.

What grammar should I use in B1 writing tasks?

At B1 level, you should use past simple and past continuous for narratives, present perfect for recent events, comparatives and superlatives, modal verbs (should, could, might), and basic conditional sentences (if + present + will). Accurate simple sentences score better than ambitious but error-filled ones.

How is B1 writing assessed under the CEFR framework?

CEFR B1 writing is assessed on four main criteria: task completion, coherence and cohesion, lexical range, and grammatical accuracy. These criteria align with the Council of Europe's published descriptors for B1 production tasks.

Can I get a B1 English certificate based on my writing ability?

Yes. A certified B1 English test includes a written component alongside reading, listening, and speaking tasks. Passing all components earns you an internationally recognised CEFR certificate at B1 level, which can support university applications, visa requirements, and employment in over 210 countries.

Conclusion

CEFR B1 writing prompts are your most reliable tool for moving from "I can sort of write in English" to "I can write clearly and accurately at an internationally recognised level." Here are the core takeaways:

• Know the four task types — email (informal/formal), narrative, and opinion essay — and adjust your tone accordingly.
• Use the five-step method — read, plan, draft, link, proofread — for every practice task, timed or untimed.
• Target range, not perfection — show examiners a variety of vocabulary and grammar structures, even if minor errors remain.
• Check task completion first — missing a required point costs more marks than a grammatical slip.
• Practise regularly with timed conditions — 25 minutes per prompt, three to four times per week, produces measurable improvement within four to six weeks.

Ready to confirm your current level? Take our free CEFR English level test — it takes 20 minutes and gives you an immediate placement across all four skills.