You should spend about 25 minutes on this task.
Write between 100 – 120 words.
Write between 100 – 120 words.
When you attended a language course in London, you stayed at a bed and breakfast. You left one of your bags in your room. Write a letter to Mrs Jones, who runs the bed and breakfast. In the letter:
- explain the situation, giving the details of your stay;
- describe the bag, where exactly you left it, and its contents;
- suggest the best way to return it to you.
Remember you have to write between 100 – 120 words.
Before you do anything, read the question(s) carefully and find out the following:
- who you are writing to
- why you are writing (e.g. to ask for information, to complain etc.)
- what you are writing about
When you have worked out what the purpose of your letter is, you should be able to work out what kind of style you will need to use.
FORMAL LETTER (TRANSACTIONAL LETTER)
SALUTATION OR GREETING
Dear Mrs. Jones,
If you know the name, use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss OR Ms, Dr, etc.) and the surname only.
If you are writing to a woman and do not know if she uses Mrs or Miss, you can use Ms, which is refers to married and single women.
THE BODY OF THE LETTER
The body of the letter need not be more than three paragraphs. If you cannot say it in three paragraphs then you are probably not being concise enough.
In the first paragraph, write a friendly opening and then state the reason or goal of the letter.
In the second paragraph, use examples to stress or underline your point (describe your left bag and its content).
In the final paragraph, briefly summarize your purpose in writing and suggest how you might want to proceed further.
The body of the letter need not be more than three paragraphs. If you cannot say it in three paragraphs then you are probably not being concise enough.
In the first paragraph, write a friendly opening and then state the reason or goal of the letter.
In the second paragraph, use examples to stress or underline your point (describe your left bag and its content).
In the final paragraph, briefly summarize your purpose in writing and suggest how you might want to proceed further.
ENDING A LETTER
Yours faithfully,
If you do not know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
Yours faithfully,
If you do not know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
Yours sincerely,
If you know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
If you know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
Your signature, Sign your name. Do not use a comma or a full stop.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
REQUESTING
I am writing for information about...
I would like to learn/find out/explain/know more about...
I would like to ask if/whether...
I would be grateful if you could...
I am writing to inquire...
I am writing for information about...
I would like to learn/find out/explain/know more about...
I would like to ask if/whether...
I would be grateful if you could...
I am writing to inquire...
ASKING FOR PARTICULAR ACTIONS
I would like to ask you for...
I would suggest that you/your hotel...
I think that I can ask for...
In the light of the above, I would like to ask you for..
I would like to ask you for...
I would suggest that you/your hotel...
I think that I can ask for...
In the light of the above, I would like to ask you for..
CLOSING
I look forward to your reply
I look forward to hearing from you
I look forward to seeing you
We look forward to a successful working relationship in the future
I would appreciate... (your immediate attention to this matter)
I look forward to hearing from you
I look forward to seeing you
We look forward to a successful working relationship in the future
I would appreciate... (your immediate attention to this matter)