To pass the CILS B1 Cittadinanza writing test, you need to write one email or message of 80 to 120 words in 40 minutes, chosen from two prompts, and you need at least 7 points out of 12. At this stage, you don’t have to write in beautiful Italian, but answer the prompt, pick the right tone (usually Lei, not tu), and avoid the handful of English habits that cost easy points. Below you’ll see a draft full of those habits, corrected line by line, plus five model emails with translations and 20 practice prompts.
In short
- One task, two prompts to choose from, 40 minutes, 80 to 120 words.
- The maximum is 12 points and the pass mark is 7. Grammar is only 4 of the 12.
- In the official sample prompts you write to a landlord and to a school principal, so Lei is your default.
- Fail any section and you retake the whole exam, so don’t treat writing as a throwaway.
- Best way to prepare: write under exam conditions (40 minutes), get corrected by a tutor, rewrite, repeat.
- Below: 5 model emails with translations, 20 practice prompts and the books I recommend.
Ciao, I’m Serena, a certified Italian teacher, and I’ve been helping English speakers with Italian for 10 years. I’ve already written about the format of the CILS B1 Cittadinanza, so this article does one thing only: it shows you what a weak answer looks like and exactly how to fix it. Most guides give you a perfect model. In my view, you learn far more from seeing mistakes corrected.
The writing test
These details come from the official documents of the Università per Stranieri di Siena, which runs the CILS: the syllabus, the sample writing sheet and the marking criteria.
| What | Official answer |
|---|---|
| Tasks | 1 (you choose between 2 topics) |
| Type of text | Email asking for information or solving a practical problem |
| Length | 80 to 120 words |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Score | 12 maximum, 7 to pass |
| If you fail a section | No partial credit: you retake and repay the whole exam |
Two things I want to be honest about. First, the official documents I checked don’t say whether the greeting and signature count toward your words, or exactly what happens if you go over. That’s why I tell you to aim for about 100 words: at that length, the question disappears. Second, they don’t mention dictionaries either, so ask your exam center. Don’t assume.
Not sure you need this exam? The B1 requirement applies to citizenship by marriage or residence, with some exemptions, while applicants by descent don’t face it. Rules change, so confirm with your consulate or lawyer.
Where the points really are
| Criterion | What it means | Max points |
|---|---|---|
| Efficacia comunicativa | Did you do what the prompt asked? | 3 |
| Adeguatezza stilistica | Is the tone right for this reader? | 1 |
| Correttezza morfosintattica | Verbs, agreement, sentence structure | 4 |
| Adeguatezza e ricchezza lessicale | Right words, some variety | 3 |
| Ortografia e punteggiatura | Spelling, accents, punctuation | 1 |
Look at the numbers: communication, tone and vocabulary add up to 7, which is exactly the pass mark. I’m not telling you grammar doesn’t matter, because of course it does, and bad grammar also damages communication. My point as a teacher is different: stop polishing your congiuntivo and start checking that you’ve answered every part of the prompt. If the prompt asks three things and you answer two, no perfect verb will save you.
5 sample emails with answers and translations
Here are five prompts in the style of the exam, each with a model answer and an English translation. Samples 1 and 2 follow the official sample prompts, the other three are mine. For the first one, I start with a weak draft, so you can see exactly what the examiner sees.
Sample 1: the email to the landlord (with corrections)
The prompt below is my English summary of the official sample: you have problems with your neighbors and have decided to move. Write to your landlord, ask what you need to do, explain why you’re moving and ask if you must pay the coming months’ rent.
This draft is not a real student’s text. I wrote it for this article to pack several classic English-speaker traps into one place.
Ciao Signor Rossi,
Sono il tuo inquilino. Ho problemi con i vicini perché loro fanno rumore ogni notte e io non posso dormire. Ho deciso di muovere in un altro appartamento. Cosa è necessario di fare? Anche, devo pagare il affitto per i prossimi mesi? Puoi dirmi per favore? Grazie per tuo aiuto.
Mark
A real landlord would understand it. Here’s what an examiner sees:
| Written | Better | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ciao Signor Rossi | Gentile Signor Rossi, | Wrong tone. “Ciao” with a surname is a clash. |
| il tuo inquilino, puoi, tuo aiuto | il Suo inquilino, può, il Suo aiuto | You started with tu. Your landlord gets Lei, all the way through. |
| loro fanno, io non posso | fanno, non riesco a | Subject pronouns sound heavy here. And “can’t sleep” is often non riesco a dormire. |
| muovere | trasferirmi, cambiare casa | English “to move” in disguise. Muovere is for moving an object or a body part. |
| necessario di fare | necessario fare | No “di” after “è necessario”. |
| Anche, | Inoltre, | A sentence starting “Also,” is English. Anche doesn’t work this way. |
| il affitto | l’affitto | Article before a vowel. |
| Puoi dirmi per favore? | Vorrei sapere… | The question is unfinished, and the conditional is your polite friend. |
| Mark | Mark Taylor | In a formal email, your first name alone is not enough. |
✅ The corrected version:
Gentile Signor Rossi,
sono Mark Taylor, il Suo inquilino di Via Verdi 12. Abito qui da due anni e mi trovo bene, ma Le scrivo perché da alcuni mesi ho problemi con i vicini: fanno rumore ogni notte e non riesco a dormire. Per questo motivo ho deciso di cambiare casa. Vorrei sapere che cosa devo fare per lasciare l’appartamento. Inoltre, devo pagare l’affitto dei prossimi mesi? Se possibile, vorrei trasferirmi entro la fine di marzo. Mi faccia sapere quando possiamo parlare. La ringrazio in anticipo per il Suo aiuto.
Cordiali saluti,
Mark Taylor
Dear Mr. Rossi, I’m Mark Taylor, your tenant at Via Verdi 12. I’ve lived here for two years and I’m happy here, but I’m writing because for some months I’ve had problems with the neighbors: they make noise every night and I can’t sleep. For this reason I’ve decided to move. I’d like to know what I have to do to leave the apartment. Also, do I have to pay the rent for the coming months? If possible, I’d like to move by the end of March. Let me know when we can talk. Thank you in advance for your help. Kind regards, Mark Taylor
Notice how simple this is. There’s no congiuntivo in sight. It’s all B1 Italian used carefully, and every point in the prompt is there.
Sample 2: the email to the school principal
The prompt, in my summary: you’re the parents’ representative. The school canteen’s menu has been poor and repetitive for months. Write to the principal, explain the situation and ask for a quick solution.
Gentile Dirigente,
sono Anna Miller, la rappresentante dei genitori della classe 3B. Le scrivo a nome di tutte le famiglie per parlare della mensa scolastica. Negli ultimi mesi il menù è poco vario: i bambini mangiano spesso gli stessi piatti e molti non finiscono il pranzo. I genitori non sono contenti e sono preoccupati, perché il pranzo è importante per i bambini. Le chiedo quindi di controllare il menù e di risolvere il problema il prima possibile. Se è utile, possiamo incontrarci a scuola. La ringrazio per l’attenzione.
Cordiali saluti,
Anna Miller
Dear Principal, I’m Anna Miller, the parents’ representative for class 3B. I’m writing on behalf of all the families about the school canteen. In recent months the menu hasn’t been very varied: the children often eat the same dishes and many don’t finish lunch. The parents aren’t happy and they’re worried, because lunch is important for the children. So I’m asking you to check the menu and solve the problem as soon as possible. If it’s useful, we can meet at the school. Thank you for your attention. Kind regards, Anna Miller
Sample 3: asking a gym for information
Prompt: Hai visto la pubblicità di una nuova palestra vicino a casa tua. Scrivi un’email per chiedere informazioni su orari, corsi e prezzi.
A new gym has opened near your home. Write an email asking about opening hours, classes and prices.
Gentili Signori,
mi chiamo Laura Smith e abito in Via Roma, vicino alla vostra palestra. Ho visto la vostra pubblicità su Internet e vorrei avere alcune informazioni. Prima di tutto, vorrei sapere quali sono gli orari di apertura, perché lavoro fino alle sei e posso venire solo la sera. Inoltre, mi interessano i corsi di yoga e di nuoto: quanti giorni alla settimana ci sono? Infine, vorrei sapere quanto costa l’abbonamento mensile e se c’è uno sconto per l’abbonamento annuale. È possibile fare una lezione di prova?
Vi ringrazio in anticipo per la risposta.
Cordiali saluti,
Laura Smith
Dear Sir or Madam, my name is Laura Smith and I live on Via Roma, near your gym. I saw your ad online and I’d like some information. First of all, I’d like to know your opening hours, because I work until six and can only come in the evening. I’m also interested in your yoga and swimming classes: how many days a week are they? Finally, I’d like to know how much the monthly membership costs and whether there’s a discount for a yearly one. Is it possible to have a trial class? Thank you in advance for your reply. Kind regards, Laura Smith
Notice Gentili Signori and Vi ringrazio: when you write to a company and not to one person, you can use the plural voi. Just don’t mix it with Lei in the same email.
Sample 4: a complaint about a broken product
Prompt: Hai comprato online una lampada, ma è arrivata rotta. Scrivi al negozio, spiega il problema e chiedi una soluzione.
You bought a lamp online, but it arrived broken. Write to the shop, explain the problem and ask for a solution.
Gentile Servizio Clienti,
sono David Brown e Le scrivo per un problema con il mio ordine numero 4587. Il 10 ottobre ho comprato sul vostro sito una lampada da tavolo, che è arrivata ieri. Purtroppo, quando ho aperto il pacco, ho visto che la lampada era danneggiata: il vetro è rotto in due punti. Le mando in allegato due foto. Vorrei sapere se è possibile ricevere una lampada nuova o, in alternativa, avere il rimborso. Inoltre, devo rimandare il pacco? Chi paga la spedizione?
Resto in attesa di una Sua risposta.
Cordiali saluti,
David Brown
Dear Customer Service, I’m David Brown and I’m writing about a problem with my order number 4587. On October 10 I bought a table lamp on your website, which arrived yesterday. Unfortunately, when I opened the package, I saw that the lamp was damaged: the glass is broken in two places. I’m attaching two photos. I’d like to know if I can receive a new lamp or, alternatively, get a refund. Also, do I have to send the package back? Who pays for shipping? I look forward to your reply. Kind regards, David Brown
A complaint doesn’t need to be angry. Say what happened, when and what you want: that’s the whole prompt.
Sample 5: a message to a friend (tu)
Prompt: Un tuo amico ti ha invitato alla sua festa di compleanno, ma tu non puoi andare. Scrivigli un messaggio, spiega perché e proponi un’altra occasione per vedervi.
A friend has invited you to his birthday party, but you can’t go. Write him a message, explain why and suggest another time to meet.
Caro Luca,
grazie mille per l’invito alla tua festa di sabato! Purtroppo non posso venire, perché proprio quel fine settimana devo andare a Milano per lavoro e torno solo domenica sera. Mi dispiace tantissimo, perché so che sarà una bella festa e ci saranno anche i nostri amici dell’università. Ti va di uscire a cena la settimana prossima? Possiamo andare in quella pizzeria in centro che ti piace tanto: offro io, così festeggiamo il tuo compleanno insieme! Dimmi tu quale sera preferisci.
Tanti auguri in anticipo e divertiti!
Un abbraccio,
Sarah
Dear Luca, thank you so much for inviting me to your party on Saturday! Unfortunately I can’t come, because that very weekend I have to go to Milan for work and I won’t be back until Sunday evening. I’m really sorry, because I know it will be a great party and our friends from university will be there too. Would you like to go out for dinner next week? We can go to that pizzeria downtown that you love: my treat, so we can celebrate your birthday together! Let me know which evening you prefer. Happy birthday in advance and have fun! Hugs, Sarah
Here the reader is a friend, so it’s tu from start to finish, with informal greetings: Caro Luca, Un abbraccio.
Phrases I’d memorize as chunks
Learn in chunks, not single words: these pieces fit almost any formal prompt. I have a fuller list in my guide on how to write a formal or informal email in Italian.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Gentile Signora Bianchi, | Dear Mrs. Bianchi, |
| Le scrivo perché… | I’m writing because… |
| Vorrei sapere se… | I’d like to know if… |
| Le chiedo di… | I’m asking you to… |
| Per questo motivo… | For this reason… |
| Inoltre,… | Also,… / In addition,… |
| il prima possibile | as soon as possible |
| La ringrazio in anticipo per il Suo aiuto. | Thank you in advance for your help. |
| Cordiali saluti, | Kind regards, |
One warning: if the prompt asks you to write to a friend, switch to tu. You can see informal formulas and samples in my post on emails for the Italian citizenship exam.
How I’d use the 40 minutes
This is my suggestion, not an official rule:
- 5 minutes: choose the prompt and underline everything it asks you to do.
- 20 minutes: write, using your chunks.
- 10 minutes: check each verb and each pronoun. Is it all Lei? Do articles and endings agree?
- 5 minutes: count your words and tick off each request in the prompt.
Choose the prompt you have words for, not the one that sounds more interesting. In 40 minutes, nobody is grading your imagination.
Exercise: from tu to Lei
Rewrite each sentence for a formal email.
- Ciao Signora Bianchi,
- Puoi aiutarmi?
- Ti scrivo per il tuo annuncio.
- Fammi sapere.
- Grazie per il tuo aiuto.
- Ho deciso di muovere a Palermo.
Show the answers
- Gentile Signora Bianchi,
- Può aiutarmi? / Mi può aiutare?
- Le scrivo per il Suo annuncio.
- Mi faccia sapere.
- La ringrazio per il Suo aiuto.
- Ho deciso di trasferirmi a Palermo.
How to prepare for the writing test
My method is simple: practice under exam conditions, get corrected, repeat.
- Get a CILS B1 Cittadinanza practice book (see below), or ask an AI tool to give you prompts like the ones in this article.
- Set a 40-minute timer and write your answer by hand, like on exam day.
- Have it corrected by a tutor. An AI can give you prompts, but a teacher tells you which mistakes you keep repeating.
- Rewrite the email with the corrections, then do it again the following week.
Books for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza
These are Amazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
| Book | Authors | What’s inside |
|---|---|---|
| Pronti per il test B1 per la cittadinanza | Alessia Benenti, Valentina Mussi | Book with digital materials to prepare for the B1 citizenship test |
| Percorso CILS Cittadinanza B1 | Emanuela Paciotti | Practice tests for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza, with downloadable audio |
| Workbook: CILS B1 Cittadinanza | Fabrizio Di Cillo | A guide to the exam with 60 tests and answer keys |
For writing and speaking practice, my ebook 50+ Speaking and Writing Prompts (with Answers) was made for this exam.
20 writing prompts for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza
Pick one, set the timer and write 80 to 120 words. The last column tells you who you’re writing to, and so whether to use Lei or tu.
| # | Prompt (in Italian) | In English | Lei or tu? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scrivi al tuo padrone di casa: la caldaia non funziona da tre giorni. Chiedi di mandare un tecnico. | Write to your landlord: the boiler hasn’t worked for three days. Ask him to send a technician. | Lei |
| 2 | Scrivi all’amministratore del condominio: c’è un problema con la pulizia delle scale. | Write to the building manager about a problem with cleaning the stairs. | Lei |
| 3 | Scrivi alla scuola di tuo figlio: domani non può andare a lezione perché ha la febbre. | Write to your child’s school: tomorrow he can’t come to class because he has a fever. | Lei |
| 4 | Scrivi a una scuola di lingue per chiedere informazioni su un corso di italiano: orari, livelli e prezzi. | Write to a language school to ask about an Italian course: times, levels and prices. | Lei |
| 5 | Scrivi all’ufficio anagrafe del tuo Comune per chiedere quali documenti servono per il cambio di residenza. | Write to your town’s registry office to ask which documents you need to change your residence. | Lei |
| 6 | Scrivi a un hotel: hai prenotato una camera, ma devi cambiare le date. | Write to a hotel: you booked a room, but you need to change the dates. | Lei |
| 7 | Scrivi alla compagnia del gas: la bolletta di questo mese è troppo alta e non capisci perché. | Write to the gas company: this month’s bill is too high and you don’t understand why. | Lei |
| 8 | Scrivi all’ufficio oggetti smarriti della stazione: hai perso lo zaino sul treno. | Write to the station’s lost and found: you lost your backpack on the train. | Lei |
| 9 | Scrivi al tuo datore di lavoro per chiedere due giorni di ferie e spiega perché. | Write to your employer to ask for two days off and explain why. | Lei |
| 10 | Scrivi alla biblioteca del quartiere per chiedere come iscriverti e quanti libri puoi prendere in prestito. | Write to the local library to ask how to sign up and how many books you can borrow. | Lei |
| 11 | Scrivi a un negozio online: hai ricevuto un prodotto sbagliato. Chiedi di cambiarlo. | Write to an online shop: you received the wrong product. Ask to exchange it. | Lei |
| 12 | Scrivi a un ristorante per prenotare una cena per 12 persone e chiedi se hanno un menu vegetariano. | Write to a restaurant to book dinner for 12 people and ask if they have a vegetarian menu. | Lei |
| 13 | Scrivi ai tuoi vicini: sabato fai una festa e ti scusi in anticipo per il rumore. | Write to your neighbors: you’re having a party on Saturday and apologize in advance for the noise. | Lei / voi |
| 14 | Scrivi al medico di base per chiedere un appuntamento e spiega che hai mal di schiena da una settimana. | Write to your family doctor to ask for an appointment and explain that your back has hurt for a week. | Lei |
| 15 | Scrivi all’insegnante di tua figlia per chiedere un colloquio. | Write to your daughter’s teacher to ask for a meeting. | Lei |
| 16 | Scrivi a un’agenzia immobiliare: cerchi un appartamento in affitto. Descrivi cosa ti serve. | Write to a real estate agency: you’re looking for an apartment to rent. Describe what you need. | Lei |
| 17 | Scrivi a un amico italiano: vuoi visitare la sua città e chiedi consigli su cosa vedere. | Write to an Italian friend: you want to visit his city and ask for tips on what to see. | tu |
| 18 | Scrivi a un’amica per ringraziarla di una cena a casa sua e invitala da te. | Write to a friend to thank her for dinner at her place and invite her to yours. | tu |
| 19 | Scrivi a un collega: domani non puoi andare alla riunione. Chiedi di prendere appunti per te. | Write to a colleague: you can’t go to the meeting tomorrow. Ask him to take notes for you. | tu |
| 20 | Scrivi a un amico: hai trovato un nuovo lavoro. Racconta com’è e proponi di festeggiare insieme. | Write to a friend: you found a new job. Tell him about it and suggest celebrating together. | tu |
My personal recommendation
As I’ve said about writing before, it’s like speaking in slow motion: it cements what you’ve learned. So here’s what I’d do. Once you’re at a solid intermediate level (not before, because exam books too early just discourage you), write one email a week and get it corrected. Then rewrite it. Mock tests without correction only repeat your mistakes.
If you want material for this, my ebook 50+ Speaking and Writing Prompts (with Answers) was made for this exam, and you can find the structure of the oral part in my speaking guide, and my strategies for the whole exam are in how to pass the CILS B1 Cittadinanza.
Between one email and the next, read. The best way to learn how Italians really write is to read them. If citizenship is your reason for learning, start with Incontri in Sicilia (A2 to B1): Fiona, an American with Sicilian roots, travels to Montalbano Elicona for her family documents, and the story is told through her diary. When you’re ready for more, try Viaggio in Sicilia (A2 to B1) or the Puglia mystery Mediterraneo (B1). My free podcast Piazzetta Italiana helps with listening, and there’s more in my best B1 resources list.
Need someone to correct your emails?
Correction is the part you can’t do alone. If you don’t have a teacher, Preply is an easy way to find an Italian tutor for your schedule and budget. My tip: choose one who has prepared students for the CILS, and send your emails before each lesson.
Affiliate disclosure: this is an affiliate link. If you book a lesson through it, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How many words do I need for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza writing test?
The official length is 80 to 120 words, in 40 minutes. I recommend aiming for about 100, which keeps you safely inside the limits however the words are counted.
Can I pass the CILS B1 Cittadinanza if I fail the writing test?
No. You need at least 7 out of 12 in each of the four parts. For this exam, passed sections aren’t saved: if you fail one, you retake the whole exam and pay the fee again.
Should I use tu or Lei in the CILS B1 Cittadinanza email?
Follow the reader in the prompt. A landlord, a principal or an office gets Lei, and a friend gets tu. If you’re unsure, Lei is the safer choice, as long as you keep it through the whole email.
Where can I find CILS B1 Cittadinanza writing prompts?
The Università per Stranieri di Siena publishes an official sample on its website. In this article you’ll find 5 model emails with translations and 20 practice prompts in the style of the exam, and you can also use a CILS B1 Cittadinanza practice book.
How should I prepare for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza writing test?
Write one email a week under exam conditions (40 minutes, 80 to 120 words), have it corrected by a tutor, then rewrite it. Learn a few formal formulas by heart and always check that you’ve answered every part of the prompt.
