Writing folder 1 Student's book pages 20-21 Formal and informal writing 4. This activity can be done with the whole class or in small, groups. Answers {A informal, a friend writing to a friend ~ giving news about boliday plans - promising to tell him/her about the holiday when he/she returns B formal, a college writing to a course applicant — apologising for the delay in replying and confirming the applicant's place on the course and that information will bbe sent out soon 7 € informal, a friend writing to a friend ~ fegretting the fact that the friend could not go to a party as he/she was ill~ giving news about who was tthe party and hoping the friend will get better soon : { formal, a film club confirming receipt of amembers ‘application form and information thata receipt will be sent once the membership fee has been paid. 2. Theaimis for students to become aware of the features of informal letters. Answers 2 opening senterice, referring back to a previous letter (formal) 3 apologising for delay in replying (informal) {4 apologising for delay in replying (formal). 5. thanking for a previous last letter (informal) 6. thanking for a party invitation (formal) 7. thanking for @ wedding invitation (informal) & finishing a letter (formal) 3. Ask students to do this task alone before comparing, thelr answers in pairs. Suggested answers Refusing an invitation (Oh no! fm sorry I cant come to your party because Iilbe on holiday informal) I'm afraid | am unable to attend due toa prior arrangement. formal) Congratulating ‘Wow well done you = you passed your diving test first time! (informal) Congratulations on passing your examination, (formal) Giving your opinion I think... (informal) Jn my opinion... (formal) Giving advice Why dont you .. (informa I think you should... formal) 4 Itcan be very useful for students to build up a stock of set phrases to use or adapt in the Writing test. Answers 1. would, grateful, could, further 2 acknowledge, receipt 3 attached 4. would, appreciate, response 5 forward, hearing, earliest, convenience i Go through the introduction in the Corpus spot. Then put students in pairs to discuss sentences 1-8. Suggested answers 1. 2 (totaly disinterested) might sound alittle strong in some situations 2 X{itisnot goodto call people stupid’). 3 Xthe language is too critical and should be softened) 2 . (the writer could request refund ina more polite way) SAX 4 5 6 7 8 ithe language isa little too direct, and could be seen as eing critical) 5 Encourage students to read the task carefully and to underline the main points, Students should always be clear about what the task is asking, In the exam, ‘candidates will be assessed on how well they have achieved the task, 6 Students plan their answer carefully in pairs. 7 Students prepare the first draft ofthe letter. Point out that students should write between 220 and 260 words inthe exam, so they should be used to writing at this length. When students exchange their first drafts, encourage constructive criticism and a keen eye for errors, Draw their attention to the Exam information box.