Reading and Writing Portfolio 1

Reading a personal letter

Staying in touch Writing a letter to a friend
Review Present Simple; Past Simple

1 Read the
topics letter
Rich quickly
talks and tick (✓ ) the
about.

a his new job ✓

b neighbours
c his new colleagues
d his new home
e the journey to work
f his children’s new school

g his next visit to England

2 Read the letter again. Are these

sentences true (T) or false (F)?
1 T Rich liked the people at his old
company.
2 His commute to work is better
T tnow.
3 His computer is still in England
T at the moment.
4 He finds it difficult to talk to
T people in shops.
5 He speaks good German.
6
F Rich and Mark both have

T children.
7 Rich wants Mark and his
F family to visit.
8 Rich is coming to England for
T a special dinner in October.

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 HELP WITH WRITING
B 3 F1 1
Informal letters
Monday 18 September 25 South Avenue,
3 a Look at the letter again. Match 1–8 to
headings a–h. London
C
5 W12 2HE
a 3 greeting PS I will find some
2 the date
ticket prices when I can G
use the computer ... 4 Thank
b 5 the main body of the letter you for
your letter.
c 4 the beginning of the letter D
H
d 1 the address Dear Rich, 7
5Anyway, that’s all the
e 6 the closing sentences
E news for you. 6Take care
f 7 adding extra information
3Best
and write back soon.
wishes,
g 8 the end of the letter Mark
b Notice these phrases in Rich’s letter. Which are
used at the beginning (B) and which at the end (E) of

the letter?
5 Match phrases 1–6 in bold in Mark’s letter to the
a B Thanks so much for … similar phrases a–f in 3b.

b E How are things … 1 c 3 b 5 f

c B Victoria sends her love … 2 a 4 d 6 e

d E Anyway, that’s about it for the moment. 6 a Imagine you have moved to another country. Make
notes on your new home and your new routine.
e E Look after yourself and keep in touch.
f
B All the best, where you
live now
c Underline the phrases in 3b in Rich’s letter.

4 Look at Mark’s reply to Rich’s letter. Put the parts of A– your new
H letter in the correct order. work

your new
A
commute
Tamsin’s out at yoga at the moment, so it’s a good
time to write back. a new
1She says hi to you and Victoria. The children are
language
always on the computer, so I can’t email either.
2How is everything at the new place? What are your

Swiss colleagues like? I can’t believe your new commute. b Write an informal letter to a good friend about your
There was a strike here last week. new life.
On Thursday it took me over two hours to get to work. ● Use your notes from 6a.
Are Swiss trains good? ● Use the organization of an informal letter from 3a.
The pictures are great. I showed them to everyone at
● Use the phrases from 3b.
work.It reallyisn’t the same without you, Rich.I don’t
● Read and check for mistakes.
have anyone to talk to.
And I’m doing too much work! It’s great news that ● Give your letter to your teacher in your next class.
you’re coming over.
Do you know the date of your meeting? I’ll try and
find a traditional British restaurant for you. Fish and Tick the things you can do in English in the
chips OK? Reading and Writing Progress Portfolio, p88.

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