What Are the Writing Tasks in Spanish DELE A1 Exam?

What are the writing tasks in Spanish DELE A1 exam explained by My Language Classes with task breakdown and word limits

How Many Writing Tasks Are in DELE A1?

The Spanish DELE A1 exam includes 2 writing tasks.

There are no multiple-choice questions in the writing section. Instead, you are required to produce two short written responses based on clear instructions.

So if someone asks:

“How many writing questions are there in DELE A1?”

The precise answer is:

  • 2 writing tasks
  • Both are task-based and examiner-assessed
  • Both must be completed within the combined Reading and Writing time

The writing section is officially called Written Expression and Interaction.

It evaluates your ability to:

  • Write simple, clear messages
  • Use basic grammar correctly
  • Communicate everyday information
  • Respond appropriately to prompts

The tasks are short, structured, and designed specifically for beginner-level candidates.

In the next sections, we will break down:

  • What Task 1 looks like
  • What Task 2 requires
  • Word limits
  • Time management
  • What examiners actually look for

Writing Task 1 – Short Functional Message

What Is Task 1 in the DELE A1 Writing Section?

Writing Task 1 requires you to produce a short functional message.

This is usually based on a simple, practical situation. You are given clear instructions and must respond directly to them.

Typical formats include:

  • A short email
  • A message to a friend
  • A response to an invitation
  • Basic personal information
  • A simple note

The task is structured. You are not asked to invent a creative story. You respond to specific prompts.


What Type of Topics Appear?

Common themes at A1 level include:

  • Introducing yourself
  • Describing your daily routine
  • Talking about plans
  • Inviting someone somewhere
  • Accepting or declining an invitation
  • Giving simple information about time and place

The focus is everyday communication.


Word Limit for Task 1

Task 1 usually requires approximately 30 to 40 words.

This is important.

You are not expected to write a long paragraph. In fact, writing too much often increases mistakes.

At A1 level:

  • Clarity is more important than length.
  • Correct basic sentences score better than complex attempts.

What Does Task 1 Test?

Task 1 evaluates whether you can:

  • Understand instructions clearly
  • Respond directly to what is asked
  • Use present tense verbs correctly
  • Form simple, accurate sentences
  • Use appropriate greetings or closings if required

It is a controlled writing task, not open-ended creative writing.

Writing Task 2 – Guided Functional Text

What Is Task 2 in the DELE A1 Writing Section?

Writing Task 2 is slightly longer and more structured than Task 1.

You are given a short situation with multiple prompts, and you must respond to all of them in a short written text.

This task usually involves:

  • A guided email
  • A short informal letter
  • A structured message responding to specific points

Unlike Task 1, which is very short and direct, Task 2 requires you to organize slightly more information.


What Type of Situations Appear in Task 2?

Typical A1 scenarios include:

  • Writing to a friend about your daily life
  • Describing your city or neighborhood
  • Explaining your routine
  • Talking about your hobbies
  • Planning a simple meeting
  • Giving basic personal details

You will normally see bullet points or clear instructions such as:

  • Say where you live
  • Describe your routine
  • Mention your hobbies

You must respond to all prompts.


Word Limit for Task 2

Task 2 usually requires approximately 40 to 60 words.

This does not mean writing as much as possible. It means:

  • Stay within a reasonable range
  • Cover all required points
  • Avoid unnecessary repetition

Quality matters more than quantity.


How Task 2 Differs from Task 1

Task 1Task 2
Short functional responseSlightly longer structured response
Around 30–40 wordsAround 40–60 words
Very direct messageMultiple prompts to address
Minimal developmentSimple paragraph organization

Task 2 tests your ability to:

  • Connect simple ideas
  • Use basic connectors
  • Maintain clarity across several sentences
  • Cover all instructions

It remains beginner-level. It does not require advanced grammar or stylistic complexity.

Exact Word Limits and Time Allocation

Official Word Limits for DELE A1 Writing

The Spanish DELE A1 writing section includes:

  • Task 1: approximately 30 to 40 words
  • Task 2: approximately 40 to 60 words

These are guideline ranges. The exam does not reward writing beyond the required length. In fact, writing too much often increases the risk of grammar mistakes.

At A1 level, examiners expect:

  • Short, clear sentences
  • Simple structures
  • Direct responses to prompts

Precision matters more than expansion.


Is There a Minimum Word Count?

The instructions typically specify a target range. You should aim to stay within it.

If you write significantly less than required, you may lose marks for incomplete task fulfillment.

If you write far beyond the limit, you do not gain extra credit. Instead, you increase the chance of errors.


How Much Time Do You Have for Writing?

Reading and Writing share a combined total of 90 minutes.

Within those 90 minutes, you must complete:

  • 25 reading questions
  • 2 writing tasks

There is no separate timer for writing. You must manage your own time.

A practical distribution strategy:

  • 45–55 minutes for Reading
  • 30–35 minutes for both Writing tasks
  • A few minutes for review

If you want a full structural overview of how the Reading and Writing components are organized together, review
What Is the Spanish DELE A1 Exam Format?

Understanding time allocation prevents last-minute panic, especially during Task 2.

What Examiners Actually Evaluate in DELE A1 Writing

The DELE A1 writing section is not graded based on creativity. It is evaluated using clear criteria designed for beginner-level communication.

Examiners look for specific elements.


1. Task Completion

This is the most important factor.

Did you answer all parts of the prompt?

If the instructions ask you to:

  • Mention your city
  • Describe your routine
  • Talk about your hobbies

You must address each point.

Ignoring one instruction can reduce your score, even if your grammar is correct.


2. Clarity of Communication

Can the reader understand your message easily?

At A1 level, clarity means:

  • Simple sentence structure
  • Logical flow
  • No unnecessary complexity

Short, direct sentences score better than long, confusing ones.


3. Basic Grammar Accuracy

Examiners evaluate whether you can control:

  • Present tense verbs
  • Gender and number agreement
  • Basic word order
  • Common verbs such as ser, estar, tener

You are not expected to use advanced structures.

If you want to understand how grammar affects your overall evaluation, review
How Does Scoring Work in the Spanish DELE A1 Exam


4. Vocabulary Appropriateness

You are expected to use vocabulary appropriate to everyday situations.

This includes:

  • Routine expressions
  • Common verbs
  • Basic descriptive words

Advanced vocabulary is not required.


5. Coherence and Basic Connectors

In Task 2 especially, examiners expect minimal cohesion.

Using simple connectors like:

  • y
  • pero
  • porque

is sufficient.

The writing section rewards control and completeness, not sophistication.

What Grammar You Must Control for DELE A1 Writing

The writing tasks in Spanish DELE A1 do not require advanced grammar. However, they do require control of foundational structures.

If you struggle with basic sentence formation, your writing score will suffer even if your ideas are correct.


Core Grammar Required for Writing Tasks

To perform well in both Task 1 and Task 2, you must control:

  • Present tense verb conjugations
  • Gender and number agreement
  • Subject pronouns
  • Basic word order
  • Common verbs such as ser, estar, tener, ir
  • Simple negation
  • Basic prepositions
  • Question words
  • Connectors like y, pero, porque

You are not required to use past narrative tenses or the subjunctive.

If you want a complete breakdown of exactly what grammar falls within A1 boundaries, review
What Grammar Is Required for Spanish DELE A1

Writing performance improves significantly when grammar foundations are stable.


Why Grammar Control Matters More Than Length

In writing, small grammar errors accumulate quickly.

For example:

  • Incorrect verb endings
  • Missing agreement
  • Wrong article usage

These errors reduce clarity.

At A1 level, examiners prefer:

  • Short correct sentences
  • Simple structures
  • Accurate basic forms

Controlled grammar produces higher scores than ambitious but inaccurate writing.

Are DELE A1 Writing Tasks Difficult?

The writing tasks in the Spanish DELE A1 exam are not designed to be difficult. They are designed to confirm that you can communicate basic information clearly.

Most anxiety comes from misunderstanding what is expected.

At A1 level, you are not required to:

  • Write long paragraphs
  • Use advanced verb tenses
  • Produce complex arguments
  • Demonstrate stylistic sophistication

You are expected to:

  • Follow instructions
  • Write short, clear responses
  • Use correct basic grammar
  • Cover all required points

Why Some Candidates Struggle

Writing feels harder than reading or listening because:

  • You must produce language, not recognize it
  • Mistakes are visible
  • There is no multiple-choice support

However, the tasks themselves are controlled and predictable.

If you are wondering whether the overall exam feels challenging at beginner level, you can review
Is Spanish DELE A1 Difficult for Beginners?

Understanding the level expectations reduces fear significantly.

How to Practice Writing for DELE A1 Effectively

Preparing for the writing section requires structure, not random practice.

Since the Spanish DELE A1 exam includes only 2 writing tasks, your preparation should reflect that exact format.


1. Practice Task-Based Writing

Instead of writing long essays, simulate:

  • One short 30–40 word response
  • One structured 40–60 word response

Time yourself within a realistic limit.

This builds exam familiarity.

For a complete preparation framework that integrates reading, listening, grammar, and writing, review
How to Prepare for Spanish DELE A1 as a Complete Beginner


2. Focus on Accuracy First

At A1 level:

  • Correct present tense verbs matter more than complex vocabulary
  • Clear sentences matter more than stylistic variety

Revise:

  • Agreement errors
  • Verb endings
  • Word order

If grammar is unstable, writing becomes harder than it needs to be.


3. Use Structured Practice Materials

Writing improves through guided exercises that mirror exam prompts.

If you want a structured system that integrates grammar control with practical application, explore
The Complete Spanish DELE A1 Package by My Language Classes

A structured progression reduces guesswork and increases consistency.


4. Review and Self-Correct

After writing:

  • Check if you answered every instruction
  • Check verb agreement
  • Count your words
  • Remove unnecessary repetition

Even small adjustments can improve clarity.

Key Takeaway

The Spanish DELE A1 exam includes 2 writing tasks, not multiple-choice questions.

  • Task 1: Short functional message (30–40 words)
  • Task 2: Guided structured response (40–60 words)

Both tasks are:

  • Examiner-assessed
  • Based on everyday communication
  • Focused on clarity and basic grammar control

You are not expected to write long texts or use advanced structures. You are expected to communicate simple information accurately and completely.

Success in the writing section depends on:

  • Following instructions carefully
  • Covering all required points
  • Using correct present tense forms
  • Maintaining basic coherence

Conclusion

The writing tasks in the Spanish DELE A1 exam are structured, predictable, and aligned with beginner-level communication.

There are only two tasks. Both are short. Both are manageable when grammar foundations are stable and practice reflects the real exam format.

Understanding the number of tasks, the word limits, and the evaluation criteria removes unnecessary anxiety. When preparation is focused and controlled, the writing section becomes a test of clarity rather than complexity.

Clarity leads to control. Control leads to confidence. And confidence leads to stronger performance on exam day.

Vikas Kumar, multilingual educator and author, founder of My Language Classes, specializing in English, Spanish, and Japanese language education
Founder at  | mylanguageclassesvk@gmail.com | Website |  + posts

Vikas Kumar is a multilingual educator, language specialist, and book author, and the founder of My Language Classes, an independent language learning platform dedicated to structured, clarity-driven language education.

With over eight years of professional experience working with languages, Vikas has taught and supported learners across English, Spanish, and Japanese, helping them build strong grammatical foundations, practical usage skills, and long-term accuracy. His work focuses on eliminating confusion in language learning by emphasizing structure, patterns, and real usage over rote memorization.

Vikas has worked as a Japanese language expert with multiple multinational organizations, supporting cross-border communication, translation, and language-driven operations in professional environments. Alongside his corporate experience, he has spent several years teaching Japanese and Spanish independently, designing lessons tailored to academic goals, professional needs, and exam preparation.

As an author, Vikas writes structured language learning books that focus on grammar mastery, clarity of usage, and exam-oriented accuracy. His published works include guides on English tenses, verb types, and prepositions, as well as Spanish learning resources aligned with DELE A1 preparation. His books are designed for self-learners, educators, and serious students who want depth, not shortcuts.

Through My Language Classes, he publishes comprehensive learning resources covering grammar, vocabulary, and language learning strategy across English, Spanish, and Japanese. The platform is built for learners at different stages, with a strong emphasis on logical progression, clear explanations, and practical application.

Vikas also closely follows developments in AI and its impact on language learning, with a focus on how emerging tools can support education without replacing foundational understanding. His work consistently advocates for structure-first learning in an increasingly automated world.

Readers can explore Vikas’s language learning books and structured programs through My Language Classes, including resources for English grammar mastery, Spanish DELE A1 preparation, and multilingual language education. Online classes and guided learning options are also available for learners seeking focused instruction.

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