Clarifying a booking
B1.1 · Explain a discrepancy and request a useful confirmation.
Secure A2: describing a problem; because, although and if; polite requests.
Model
Liebe Nele,
leider kann ich beim ersten Teil eurer Gartenaktion nicht mithelfen. Meine Nachbarin hat mich gebeten, sie am Samstag zum Bahnhof zu begleiten. Sie fährt um zehn Uhr ab und kann ihre Koffer nicht allein tragen. Ich habe ihr schon zugesagt.
Danach komme ich gern zu euch. Ich könnte die leeren Säcke zurückbringen oder beim Aufräumen helfen. Für die schweren Arbeiten am Vormittag braucht ihr deshalb jemand anderen. Es tut mir leid, dass ich euch so spät Bescheid gebe. Bitte sag mir, ob ihr nach elf Uhr noch Hilfe braucht und wo ich euch dann finde.
Liebe Grüße
Mara
Ich habe ihr schon zugesagt.
· The reason explains a specific commitment.Ich könnte die leeren Säcke zurückbringen oder beim Aufräumen helfen.
· Offers a different form of help that is feasible.ob ihr nach elf Uhr noch Hilfe braucht und wo ich euch dann finde.
· Asks for two facts needed for action.
Task
Fictional case. Write in German to the library team.
You booked the Lindenraum for six people on Thursday from 18:00 to 19:00. Your saved request shows those times. The confirmation you received says 17:00–18:00.
Two participants cannot arrive before 18:00. The email does not explain whether there is an error or the room is occupied later. You have not yet informed the group.
Explain the problem and its effect. Request the information you need and propose what you would do if your requested time were unavailable. Do not present an alternative as already authorised. Sign with an invented name.
100–140 words
Planning
- Separate the request from the confirmation.
- Connect the timing to the group’s availability; distinguish facts and uncertainty.
- Arrange the explanation, request and conditional proposal around the library’s needs.
Criteria
- Distinguish request and confirmation, retaining day, times and group.
Mark “achieved” when the evidence is present and consistent; “partial” when incomplete; “revise” when absent or contrary to the case. Justify the judgement with a quotation from your draft.
- Explain the effect on participants and an action conditional on the reply.
Mark “achieved” when the evidence is present and consistent; “partial” when incomplete; “revise” when absent or contrary to the case. Justify the judgement with a quotation from your draft.
- The library can identify what to confirm; opening and closing suit the recipient.
Mark “achieved” when the evidence is present and consistent; “partial” when incomplete; “revise” when absent or contrary to the case. Justify the judgement with a quotation from your draft.
- Cause and condition are clear; check verbs and formal address without requiring the model’s wording.
Mark “achieved” when the evidence is present and consistent; “partial” when incomplete; “revise” when absent or contrary to the case. Justify the judgement with a quotation from your draft.
Review
Keep your first draft. Quote a passage for each criterion and use the three rubric categories. Rewrite a passage to improve meaning or language and explain the effect. If it already meets the criteria, document a specific check. The guide provides examples; it neither matches words nor calculates a grade.