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Writing · level A2 to B2 · 10 min

Writing Task 1: how to nail the message

Task 1 opens the « Expression écrite » (writing) section of the TCF Canada and the TCF Québec. You are asked for a short message to describe, tell or explain something to one or more people. It is the shortest task, but a forgotten point or the wrong tone costs you dearly. Here is a simple method to get it right.

TL;DR

  • Writing Task 1 (TCF Canada and Québec) is a 60 to 120 word message to a reader named in the prompt.
  • Before writing, find who you are writing to, why, and every point the prompt asks you to cover.
  • Choose the register from the reader: « tu » for a friend, « vous » and a polite conditional for a manager.

Goal: Write a clear 60 to 120 word message, suited to its reader, that covers every point the prompt asks for.

What Task 1 asks for

The prompt puts you in an everyday situation and asks you to write a message to describe, tell or explain. The reader is always specified: a friend, a colleague, a neighbour, a manager. The message is between 60 and 120 words, and the three writing tasks share 60 minutes.

The word count is strict: outside these limits, just like an off-topic text or one copied from the prompt, a text can be rated "below A1" (« A1 non atteint »).

Read the prompt with three questions

Before you write, underline three pieces of information in the prompt. They give you the outline of your message.

  • Who am I writing to? The reader decides the register: « tu » for a friend, « vous » for a neighbour you barely know or a manager.
  • Why am I writing? To invite, inform, thank, ask a favour: the purpose must be clear by the second sentence.
  • Which points must I cover? The prompt often lists three or four items (place, date, activities, reason). Each one must appear in your text.
Example in French, as in the exam
Consigne d'entraînement : « Vous venez de vous inscrire à un atelier de cuisine dans votre quartier. Vous écrivez un message à votre amie Léa pour lui décrire l'atelier (lieu, jours, ambiance) et lui proposer de vous accompagner. »

Analysing the practice prompt

  • Reader: a friend, so « tu ».
  • Purpose: describe and suggest.
  • Points: place, days, atmosphere, suggestion.

Build the message in five steps

A good message follows a natural order. The exam does not impose this outline, but it helps you forget nothing and link your ideas.

StepRoleSample wording
OpeningGreet according to the register« Salut Léa, » or « Bonjour Madame Martin, »
ContextSay why you are writing« Je t'écris pour te parler de… »
ContentCover each point in the prompt« L'atelier a lieu… Il se déroule… »
ActionSuggest, ask, invite« Est-ce que tu voudrais venir… ? »
ClosingSign off according to the register« À bientôt, » or « Bien cordialement, »

Two annotated examples

Two practice messages written by our team: the first answers the cooking workshop prompt, the second is addressed to a neighbour. Notice the change of register.

Example 1 (100 words, informal register) uses « tu », a first name and a friendly sign-off. Example 2 (77 words, formal register) uses « vous », a polite conditional (« Pourriez-vous », « j'aurais besoin ») and a formal closing.

Example in French, as in the exam
« Salut Léa, je t'écris pour te parler de l'atelier de cuisine où je viens de m'inscrire. Il a lieu dans la salle municipale, juste à côté de la boulangerie de la place. Les cours ont lieu le mardi et le jeudi, de 18 h à 20 h. Chaque semaine, on prépare un plat d'un pays différent : cette semaine, c'était un curry indien. L'ambiance est vraiment sympathique, les participants sont de tous les âges et le chef explique tout très simplement. Est-ce que tu voudrais venir avec moi jeudi prochain ? Le premier cours est gratuit. Réponds-moi vite, bises, Samira »
Example in French, as in the exam
« Bonjour Madame Martin, je vous écris car je pars en voyage du 12 au 19 mars et j'aurais besoin de votre aide. Pourriez-vous arroser mes plantes deux fois par semaine ? Elles se trouvent dans le salon, près de la fenêtre. Je vous laisserai la clé dans votre boîte aux lettres dimanche soir. Bien sûr, je serais ravie de vous rendre le même service lors de vos prochaines vacances. Merci beaucoup par avance, bien cordialement, Samira Haddad »

Managing your words and your time

  • Aim for about 90 to 110 words: you stay within the limits even after a last-minute correction. This is advice, not an exam rule.
  • A personal benchmark of 15 minutes for Task 1 leaves you more time for Tasks 2 and 3, which are longer. Adjust it to your own pace.
  • Keep two minutes to proofread: agreement, verb forms and the closing phrase.

A common mistake

✗ Salut Monsieur Dupont, je veux savoir le prix de la salle.

✓ Bonjour Monsieur Dupont, je souhaiterais connaître le tarif de location de la salle.

You don't greet a manager with « Salut », and « je veux » is too blunt. With a reader you address as « vous », choose a neutral opening and the polite conditional.

Frequently asked questions

How many words for Task 1 of the TCF Canada writing section?+
Between 60 and 120 words, according to the candidate handbook. Aim for about 90 words: enough to cover every point in the prompt without risking going over.
Should I use « tu » or « vous » in Task 1?+
It depends on the reader named in the prompt: use « tu » with a friend or a relative, and « vous » with a neighbour you barely know, a colleague in a formal setting or an institution. Then keep the same register to the end.
Do I need a greeting and a signature?+
Yes, it is a message: start with a fitting greeting (« Salut Karim », « Bonjour Madame ») and end with a closing phrase and your first name. These details count towards fitting the situation.
How much time should I spend on Task 1?+
About 15 minutes out of the 60 minutes of the section. It is the shortest task: don't eat into the time for Task 3, which requires the longest text.

Practice exercise with answers

1. Your message is 132 words long. What do you risk?

2. The prompt asks you to write to your neighbour, whom you barely know. Which opening should you choose?

3. The prompt lists three points: place, times, price. You have only covered the place and the times. What should you do?

Next step

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