The idea
Cancel a personal arrangement politely, give a brief reason and propose a specific alternative. Make clear that the new plan still needs the other person's agreement. Read the task before the model. Identify the information you need, make your own attempt, and compare it with the specific evidence in the six sentences. The examples are learning material; follow your examination provider's current instructions when working on an official paper.
Independent practice and the official format
This is an original glotworld writing drill for learners preparing alongside Goethe-Zertifikat A2 materials. It is not an official examination task, a complete mock paper or a score prediction. glotworld is not affiliated with the examination provider. Use the linked official material for the exact instructions, timing, audio and assessment criteria of your examination.
Read the text
Liebe Nora, leider schaffe ich unser Treffen heute Abend nicht. Mein Zug fällt aus, und die nächste Verbindung kommt sehr spät an. Es tut mir leid, dass ich dir so kurzfristig absagen muss. Hättest du stattdessen am Samstag gegen Mittag Zeit? Dann könnten wir gemeinsam durch den Park gehen. Sag mir bitte, ob dieser Vorschlag für dich passt.
Examples
- Liebe Nora, leider schaffe ich unser Treffen heute Abend nicht.Dear Nora, unfortunately I cannot make our meeting this evening.
- Mein Zug fällt aus, und die nächste Verbindung kommt sehr spät an.My train is cancelled and the next service arrives very late.
- Es tut mir leid, dass ich dir so kurzfristig absagen muss.I am sorry I have to cancel at such short notice.
- Hättest du stattdessen am Samstag gegen Mittag Zeit?Would you have time around midday on Saturday instead?
- Dann könnten wir gemeinsam durch den Park gehen.Then we could walk through the park together.
- Sag mir bitte, ob dieser Vorschlag für dich passt.Please tell me whether this suggestion works for you.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
A proposed new time is not a jointly agreed appointment. Use a question rather than a false confirmation.
Try it yourself
Welche Information begründet die Absage?
Show answer or example answer
Der Zug fällt aus.
Der Zug fällt aus. The reason relates directly to the inability to attend.
Ist Samstag schon fest vereinbart?
Show answer or example answer
Nein, es ist ein Vorschlag.
Nein, es ist ein Vorschlag. The question asks for agreement.
Schlage Sonntagvormittag vor.
Show answer or example answer
Hättest du stattdessen am Sonntagvormittag Zeit?
Hättest du stattdessen am Sonntagvormittag Zeit? The conditional form stays polite.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Welche Information begründet die Absage?
Der Zug fällt aus.
Ist Samstag schon fest vereinbart?
Nein, es ist ein Vorschlag.
Schlage Sonntagvormittag vor.
Hättest du stattdessen am Sonntagvormittag Zeit?
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Repeat this writing task with one changed detail and explain how the answer changes. Cancel a personal arrangement politely, give a brief reason and propose a specific alternative. Make clear that the new plan still needs the other person's agreement. Keep the original and revised response so that the meaning difference remains visible.