Quick answer: A French formal letter (une lettre formelle) uses a fixed layout, vous from start to finish and polite formulas such as je vous serais reconnaissant de bien vouloir. For French B2 students practising French formal letter DELF B2, this worksheet gives 20 problems from easy to hard: pick the greeting, pick the closing and sort the registers. The answer key is on a separate page, and the worksheet is a free printable PDF.
These twenty problems train the formal letter of request or protest asked at DELF B2: greetings and closings, register, the conditional of politeness, and finally full paragraphs and a complete letter. The first problems are short; the last five ask for real writing.
Write in complete sentences and keep vous throughout. This worksheet matches the CEFR B2 writing standard.
Level: French B2 (CEFR upper intermediate) · Standards: CEFR B2, Writing
Problem 1 Pick the greeting ★★★
Choose the correct greeting for a letter to a company whose contact is unknown: (a) Salut, (b) Madame, Monsieur, (c) Cher Monsieur,.
Problem 2 Pick the closing ★★★
Choose the best closing for a formal request: (a) Bisous (b) À plus (c) Je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées.
Problem 3 Sort the registers ★★★
Write each phrase in the right box: Salut, Madame, Monsieur,, Tu peux me répondre vite ?, Je vous serais reconnaissant de me préciser, J’veux savoir, Je vous prie de bien vouloir me répondre.
Problem 4 Complete the polite request ★★★
Complete: Je vous ______ de bien vouloir me renvoyer ma caution. (prie / prions / pries)
Problem 5 Translate a complaint ★★★
Translate into French: I am writing to inform you of my dissatisfaction with the delay.
Problem 6 Match purpose and opening ★★★
Match each purpose to an opening: request, complaint, reminder. (a) Je me permets de vous rappeler que… (b) Je souhaiterais obtenir des renseignements sur… (c) Je tiens à vous signaler un grave dysfonctionnement…
Problem 7 Soften an order ★★★
Rewrite politely: Envoie-moi la facture vite.
Problem 8 Conditional of politeness ★★★
Complete with the conditional: Je ______ (souhaiter) obtenir des informations sur les horaires de ce cours.
Problem 9 Fix the register ★★★
Rewrite in formal French: Salut Madame, je veux un remboursement tout de suite, merci bisous.
Problem 10 Read a short complaint ★★★
Read and answer in English.
(a) What is the problem? (b) What is requested? (c) What happens otherwise?
Problem 11 Choose the subject line ★★★
Choose the best objet line: (a) Objet : problème (b) Objet : demande de remboursement de la caution (c) Objet : Bonjour
Problem 12 Translate a warning ★★★
Translate into English: À défaut de réponse sous quinze jours, je saisirai le tribunal compétent.
Problem 13 Order the letter ★★★
Put the parts in order: (a) formule de politesse (b) objet (c) lieu et date (d) corps de la lettre (e) formule d’appel (f) signature
Problem 14 Use a noun phrase ★★★
Rewrite starting with a noun: Vous n’avez pas répondu à mon message, ce qui m’inquiète.
Problem 15 Choose the opening phrase ★★★
Choose the right word: ______ à votre annonce parue le 3 mai, je souhaite poser ma candidature. (Suite / Pendant / Avant)
Problem 16 Write a complaint opening ★★★
Write an opening paragraph (3 sentences) asking a landlord in Bordeaux to return a deposit of 640 € two months after you left the apartment.
Problem 17 Correct three mistakes ★★★
Correct three mistakes in the paragraph.
Problem 18 Write the request paragraph ★★★
Write about 80 words asking a municipal language school in Lausanne for information on evening courses (dates, price, level test).
Problem 19 Write a closing paragraph ★★★
Write a closing paragraph (3 sentences) that sets a deadline of ten days and ends with the full formal closing for a letter to a director.
Problem 20 Write the full protest letter ★★★
Write a formal letter of about 250 words to the mayor of Annecy protesting against the removal of a local bus line. Include the layout, arguments, a concession, a request and a deadline.
