informal letter fce linking words
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FCE Writing part 2 Informal letter
1 Read the following letter, which you have received from your English friend, Mark. What two things does he ask you to tell him? TALK ABOUT IT
Would you accept Mark’s invitation? Why/Why not? TALK ABOUT IT
Dear _______ ,
a)Many thanks for your last letter . The new house sounds brilliant – how are you settling in? b) I’m sorry I haven’t written sooner , but I’ve been really busy helping my parents out on the farm.
It’s great fun, though I still haven’t got used to getting up at six every morning to milk the cows! We often have the radio on while we’re doing it, so it’s not too bad. Then, once we’ve had breakfast, we tend to spend the rest of the day outside, either in the fields or looking after the sheep.
c)That reminds me , do you remember Lady, our oldest sheepdog? Well, she’s just had puppies! If you’re free in the summer, you could come and see them all and help with the harvest as well. d)Let me know if you can make it – we’d love to see you again.
Anyway, e)I must go , as it’s getting late and tomorrow we’ve got another early start. f)Can’t wait to hear from you .
g) Best wishes
Mark
What is the purpose of each of the four paragraphs?
Match the paragraphs and the perpose of each.
3 Match each underlined expression a–g from Mark’s letter with an appropriate alternative from 1–10 .
Which three phrases cannot be used and why are they inappropriate ? if it was Inappropriate, then write I or i
Example: 1: e
1 I’d better close now
2 Thanks a lot for the letter
3 Yours sincerely
4 By the way
5 All the best
6 I would be most grateful if you could inform me
7 I look forward to your prompt reply
8 Please write and tell me
9 I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to write to you
10 I’m looking forward to hearing from you
Notice the use of contractions in Mark’s letter: I’m, it’s and haven’t. These are typical of informal writing.
4 Find and circle the following linking words in Mark’s letter. Then use an appropriate linker from the box to complete the gaps in sentences 1–5. Each linker can be used more than once.
1- but
2- while
3- so
4- and
5- as well as
1 You’ll never guess what happened to me I was shopping in the centre of town the other day!
2 I’m writing to ask you to do me a favour I’ve got myself into trouble.
3 We’re having a party next Saturday we were wondering if you’d like to come. Bring a friend .
4 I’d love to accept your invitation, I’m afraid I’m going to be busy.
5 I haven’t got any plans I’ll certainly be able to go.
Read the following instructions.
Six months ago you moved to a new house in another part of your country. Write a reply to Mark’s letter giving news about how you are settling in to your new surroundings and what a typical day is like. You should also say whether or not you can accept his invitation to go and stay on his farm in the summer. Write it Please
Write your letter in 140–190 words.
How to go about it
- Begin by referring in some way to the letter you have received from Mark.
- Use some of the informal language and linkers that you have just studied.
- Organize your letter into logical paragraphs, as in the letter from Mark.
Listening 2 part 1 Multiple choice
You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1–8 , choose the best answer ( A, B or C ).
What to expect in the exam
The eight recorded extracts are either monologues or conversations. You hear each one twice.
You will hear distractors. Listen carefully both times to the whole of each extract.
Four I think. This one here, the flat in Brighton, the country cottage, and .....
and the villa in Spain.
That's right.
Hmm. Easy for some, isn't it?
I'm not so sure. I get the impression he's a bit fed up with it all - always moving around. I wouldn't be surprised if he got rid of everything over here and lived in Spain permanently.
Is that what he's said he'll do?
Well, you know Mike. It's not like him to talk much about his plans. But he did say he might settle down one day - stay in one place. And you know how much he likes Spain
1 You hear two people talking about a friend of theirs. What does the woman say about the friend?
2 You overhear a man talking to a friend on his mobile phone. Why is he phoning?
3 You hear a woman talking about her family’s financial situation. What is she going to do?
I usually wake up before the alarm goes off. I'm an early riser.
That sounds worse. Aren't you tired for the rest of the day?
No, I just don't need to sleep so much. I take the dog out for a walk, talk to him about this and that ...
You talk to your dog?
Sure. Much easier than talking Lo people - he doesn't answer back or ask questions, like people do. I find that much harder to cope with first thing in the morning. I'm the same in the car - most people can't stand the journey to work, but I have a good old chat with myself.
Weird.
4 You overhear a man and a woman talking about their morning routine.
How does the man feel about his mornings?
5 You hear a woman on the radio talking about her experiences in a foreign country.
What surprised her about the people?
6 You turn on the radio and hear the following.
What is it?
Yes, I am. I think I know nearly everyone now. When I came here last year everyone went out of their way to introduce themselves and make me feel welcome.
That's good. So you feel comfortable here, then?
Yes, I do. And the children have settled in well, too. I just get a bit nervous about the traffic sometimes.
What, on the main road?
Yes, and a couple of other spots as well. There are certain places I won't let the children go without me. Some drivers just don't slow down for them.
7 You hear two people talking about the village they both live in.
What does the woman think of the village?
8 You hear a man talking about his job.
Who is the man?
