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TCF Canada writing task 2: the article, letter or note

Updated 2026-10-28

Task 2 of the TCF Canada writing test asks for 120 to 150 words: an article, letter, note or similar, for several readers. It is not only a description. According to the candidate manual, you report an experience or tell a story and add comments, opinions or arguments depending on the goal, for example to ask for something or to make peace. Plumepass is not affiliated with France Éducation international. Overview of the whole test: TCF Canada writing.

What task 2 asks

Here is one of our original practice tasks (not a real exam task):

Pendant un mois, vous avez testé des horaires flexibles avec quelques collègues. Écrivez une note à la direction et à toute l'équipe pour raconter cette expérience, présenter les résultats et les convaincre d'adopter cette organisation. (120 mots minimum / 150 mots maximum)

It combines three moves: tell what happened, present results, persuade. Underline these verbs in the instruction before you write. Your text must do each of them, in that order or one you can justify.

A structure that fits 120 to 150 words

  1. Opening (1 or 2 sentences): who you are writing to and what the text is about.
  2. Body (3 to 5 sentences): the experience or the facts, then two or three reasons or results, each with a connector (d'abord, ensuite, enfin).
  3. Counter-point (1 sentence): Certes, Il est vrai que, followed by your answer to it. This shows development of the topic.
  4. Closing (1 or 2 sentences): the request, proposal or invitation.

The goal of the text sets the tone. A complaint stays factual and polite, a recommendation can be warmer, a reconciliation starts with an apology. Keep one register from start to finish. In our bank the task 2 situations include complaints, requests, recommendations and reconciliations, in both formal and informal registers.

An original example at B2 level (about 135 words)

Written by us as a model of the task above. It is our own estimate of B2 level, not an official sample.

Madame la Directrice, chers collègues,

Pendant un mois, six d'entre nous ont testé des horaires flexibles : chacun choisissait son heure d'arrivée entre 7 h 30 et 10 h, à condition d'être présent de 10 h à 15 h. L'expérience a été très positive. D'abord, les retards ont presque disparu, car chacun évite les heures de pointe dans les transports. Ensuite, nous nous sentons plus reposés et plus concentrés, surtout le matin. Enfin, les clients ont continué à être servis normalement, puisque l'équipe était toujours réunie pendant les heures centrales. Certes, organiser les réunions demande un peu plus de coordination, mais un calendrier partagé suffit à régler ce problème. C'est pourquoi je vous propose d'étendre ce système à toute l'équipe dès le mois prochain. Je reste à votre disposition pour en discuter.

Cordialement,

Sophie Martin

Word count: 134 words, counted by spaces, greeting and signature included.

Why it works

  1. It does the three things asked. It tells the experience (first sentence), presents results (retards, concentration, clients), and persuades (the final proposal).
  2. The logic is visible. D'abord, ensuite, enfin order the arguments, car and puisque give reasons, Certes... mais handles an objection, and C'est pourquoi leads to the request.
  3. The register suits the readers. A formal address to a director and a team, vous for the director, no slang, and a courteous ending.

Common mistakes

Write this task with a timer, then compare your text with the model. For the shorter and longer neighbours of this task, see task 1 and task 3.

Sources

Try it on a practice task

Write the task with a timer and word count, then get a level estimate, the corrections that matter and a better version of your answer. 1 grading is free, and 2 more after you add your e-mail.

Practise this task

Questions

How many words is TCF Canada writing task 2?

120 to 150 words. The range is narrow, so count your words and aim for about 135.

What is the difference between task 1 and task 2?

Task 1 is a short message that describes, tells or explains (60 to 120 words). Task 2 is longer, is for several readers, and has a goal: you report or narrate an experience and add comments, opinions or arguments, for example to ask for something or to make peace.

Do I need an introduction and a conclusion in task 2?

A short opening that sets the subject and a closing sentence that states what you want from the reader make the goal clear. With 120 to 150 words, keep both to one sentence.

Can I use the example answer in the exam?

No. It is an original model written for practice, and learning a text by heart will not fit a different instruction. Use it to see a structure, then write your own.

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