Writing through 2027
Practise the 45-mark form, directed response and extended text for the 2025–2027 route.
Exam scope and assessment notes
All German texts, listening scripts, prompts, model responses, examples and exercises here are original StudyForA practice, not Cambridge assessment material. The map covers the five broad topic areas, the published grammar categories and the paper formats for both syllabus cycles; Cambridge describes its topic sub-lists as examples rather than an exhaustive vocabulary boundary. The separate 2028 vocabulary spreadsheet is linked but has not been reconciled word by word. German-language specialist review, comprehensive vocabulary auditing and full timed paper simulations remain outstanding. Browser speech synthesis is not Cambridge audio and cannot guarantee accent or pronunciation. Speaking checklists and writing review are practice aids, not an examiner mark or Cambridge moderation. This is not a complete 130-hour course. Confirm exam year, series, zone and entry with your school and Cambridge. Use the paper lesson that matches your examination year; speaking and writing practice does not award official marks.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which writing review should come first?
What you will learn
- Complete a form with accurate short German responses.
- Cover every bullet in a familiar-topic directed response of about 80–90 words.
- Develop an email, letter, article or blog of about 130–140 words.
- Review task coverage, register, range and accuracy without claiming an official mark.
Plan every requested point
The earlier paper takes one hour and is worth 45 marks: form-filling (5), directed writing (12; about 80–90 words) and extended writing (28; about 130–140 words). Follow the exact question and word guidance on your paper.
Turn each bullet into a tick box before drafting. A fluent response that misses a required point still has incomplete task coverage. Use a short plan for each requested fact, opinion, reason or experience.
Review content and language separately
First check that every bullet is answered in a relevant way. Then check the time frame, verb position, endings, connectors and register; finally check spelling, capitalisation and word length.
The self-check can explain a correction, but it does not award Cambridge marks. Have a teacher review extended writing where possible, especially idiom and case endings.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
Which word range fits the earlier extended task?
Worked example
A friend asks about a recent school event. Your response must say where it took place, what you did, what you liked and what you would change next time. How will you plan before writing?
Show the worked solution
- Turn each prompt into a separate checklist item.
- Plan one time frame and a connective for each idea.
- Leave a final check for verb position and word length.
Answer A complete plan has four items: place, activity, opinion and one proposed change. A possible structure uses «letzte Woche» for the event, «weil» for a reason and «nächstes Mal würde ich ...» for a suggestion. The checklist is not an official mark scheme.
From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Plan a 12-mark response about a school trip: where it went, what you did, what was enjoyable and one problem. Write one German sentence for each point.
Give me a hint
Cover the four prompts before checking grammar.
Compare my reasoning
- List the destination.
- Give an activity and opinion.
- Add one problem with a reason or contrast.
Example: «Letzten Freitag fuhr unsere Klasse nach Dresden. Wir besuchten ein Museum und machten danach eine Stadtführung. Am besten gefiel mir die Ausstellung, weil sie sehr anschaulich war. Leider regnete es stark.»
Look for these in your work
- Covers each requested idea
- Uses past time consistently
- Explains an opinion
Write a 130–140-word outline for an article about a community event: describe what happened, your view, one challenge and an idea for next year.
Give me a hint
Use one paragraph plan per task point, then review range and accuracy.
Compare my reasoning
- Plan the event and participants.
- Develop your view with evidence.
- Include a challenge and a feasible suggestion.
A complete response needs all four elements, connected in German and within the approximate range. Check verb placement after «weil» and the tense of the event. This guidance does not award the 28 marks.
Look for these in your work
- Covers the event
- Develops a view and challenge
- Offers a relevant next-year idea
Compare two drafts: Draft A is fluent but omits the requested reason; Draft B covers everything but has adjective-ending errors. Give each a focused revision priority.
Give me a hint
Separate task completion from grammatical accuracy.
Compare my reasoning
- Identify what Draft A still needs.
- Find the kind of correction Draft B needs.
- Give one revision action for each without assigning marks.
Draft A should add the missing reason before polishing. Draft B should check each adjective phrase against its determiner, gender and case while retaining its complete content. This is formative advice, not an official mark.
Look for these in your work
- Prioritises missing content in A
- Targets adjective endings in B
- Avoids an invented score
Common mistakes
- Using 2028's 5/10/25 split for an earlier exam
- Writing a long response while omitting one prompt bullet
- Calling self-review an examiner grade
What can you explain now?
How many marks is the 2025–2027 extended writing task worth?
Compare with the explanation
28 marks
The earlier Paper 4 split is 5, 12 and 28.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
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Make it stick
Before leaving writing through 2027, explain one idea from memory, answer the checkpoint and name one point to practise again.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.