Norskprøve guide · 6 min read

Norskprøve B1 skriftlig: example tasks and a model text

At B1 you are expected to write connected texts on familiar topics and to explain what you think and why. The easiest way to see what that means is to read a model text next to its task, so here is one.

Example task

You bought a pair of headphones online. They arrived broken. Write an e-mail to the shop. Say what happened, what you want them to do, and when you need an answer.

Model answer

Hei,

Jeg skriver til dere fordi jeg har fått et problem med bestillingen min. Jeg kjøpte et par hodetelefoner i nettbutikken deres 3. oktober, men da pakken kom, var den ene siden ødelagt. Jeg har tatt bilder av skaden og kan sende dem til dere.

Jeg vil gjerne ha nye hodetelefoner, eller pengene tilbake hvis det ikke går an. Jeg trenger svar innen fredag, siden jeg skal på tur neste uke.

På forhånd takk for hjelpen.

Med vennlig hilsen, Anna Berg

What makes this text B1

Read the model again and notice the moves, because each one is repeatable in your own text.

It states the purpose in the first sentence: 'Jeg skriver til dere fordi ...'.
It gives a reason and a deadline, not only a request: 'siden jeg skal på tur'.
It uses subordinate clauses correctly: 'da pakken kom, var den ene siden ødelagt'.
It matches the register: polite, formal opening and closing.
It covers every point in the task, which graders check first.

A2 versus B1

An A2 version would say 'Jeg kjøpte hodetelefoner. De er ødelagt. Jeg vil ha nye.' It is understandable but flat. B1 adds reasons, time, and links between sentences. If your practice text reads like the A2 version, add one 'fordi', one 'men', and one 'siden' and see how it changes.

Practise it yourself

Write your own version of the task in ten to fifteen minutes, then check it against the bullets above. Get it corrected by someone who explains why, so the same error does not return. The official practice tests on prove.hkdir.no have more tasks, and Snakke gives corrections with explanations on your own texts.

Try a free practice question

Which opening sentence best fits a B1 complaint e-mail?

Hodetelefonene er dårlige.
Jeg skriver til dere fordi hodetelefonene jeg kjøpte hos dere kom ødelagt.
Hei, jeg vil ha penger.

Show the answer

Jeg skriver til dere fordi hodetelefonene jeg kjøpte hos dere kom ødelagt.

It states the purpose, gives the reason with 'fordi', and is polite enough for a formal message. The others are too short or too blunt.

Get more free practice questions

Train it, do not just read about it.

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Questions

Is the B1 writing test the same as the B2 writing test?

No. B1 asks for connected texts on familiar topics with reasons. B2 asks for clearer argumentation, a wider range of vocabulary and better control of complex sentences. See our B2 writing guide for the higher level.

Prepare every part of the test