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 letter quickly and tick (✓)

the topics Rich talks about.
a his new job ✓
1Ch
rummwisstrasse 47
b neighbours
8702 Kuesnacht
c his new colleagues
Zurich
d his new home
2
e the journey to work 17 September
f his children’s new school
3De
ar Mark,
g his next visit to England 4Th
anks so much for your card.
5
2 Read the letter again. Are these I really loved the party las
t week and I was quite sa
sentences true (T) or false (F)? at the end. I’m going to mis d
s all the wonderful friends
made at the company. How I
are
I started work at my new pla things without me?
1 T Rich liked the people at his old
company. ce on Monday. The com-
mute is a lot shorter. I ca
tch a train near my house
2 His commute to work is better and I’m at work in 15 minute
s. It’s amazing! I have
now. time to play with
3 His computer is still in England Maggie before she goes to
bed!
at the moment. The house is very nice – se
e the photo. But we’re
really busy at the moment.
4 He finds it difficult to talk to A lot of things are still in
boxes – including the comp
people in shops. uter – so I can’t email at
the moment.
5 He speaks good German. We’re enjoying learning a ne
w
6 Rich and Mark both have Maggie heard some children language. The first time
talking, she cried. Then
children. she said “Daddy! What’s wr
ong
many of the Swiss speak Eng with them?” In fact,
7 Rich wants Mark and his lish (and French and Ital-
ian!), so
family to visit.
communicating in shops isn
’t dif
8 Rich is coming to England for bit harder! I watched the Ge ficult. Television is a
rman ‘Who Wants to Be a
a special dinner in October. Millionaire?’ the other night.
I think I got two questions
correct, but I don’t know!
Victoria sends her love – she
’s cooking something Swiss
at the moment. Remember:
the
You, Tamsin and the children flight is only 40 minutes!
Yo
6A are always welcome.
Anyway, that’s about it for
the moment. Look after
yourself and keep in touch
yo
.
7A
All the best,

Rich
8PS
I’m in London for a meeting
Do you want to meet for din at the end of October.
ner?

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 HELP WITH WRITING
B F 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 W12 2HE
a 3 greeting PS I will find some
b the date ticket prices when I can G
use the computer ... 4 Thank
c the main body of the letter you for
your letter.
d the beginning of the letter D
H
e the address Dear Rich,
5Anyway, that’s all the
f the closing sentences
E news for you. 6Take care
g adding extra information and write back soon.
3Best wishes,
h 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 How are things … 1 c 3 5

c Victoria sends her love … 2 4 6

d 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 Look after yourself and keep in touch.
f 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 your new
A–H letter in the correct order. work

A
your new
commute
Tamsin’s out at yoga at the moment, so it’s a good
time to write back.
1She says hi to you and Victoria. The children are a new
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.
There was a strike here last week.
On Thursday it took me over two hours to get to work.
Are Swiss trains good?
The pictures are great. I showed them to everyone at
work. It really isn’t the same without you, Rich. I don’t
have anyone to talk to.
And I’m doing too much work! It’s great news that
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
chips OK?
b Write an informal letter to a good friend about your
new life.
● Use your notes from 6a.
● Use the organisation of an informal letter from 3a.
● Use the phrases from 3b.
● Read and check for mistakes.
● Give your letter to your teacher in your next class.
Tick the things you can do in English in the
Reading and Writing Progress Portfolio, p88.

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