TASK FULFILMENT / ACCURACY & RANGE OF GRAMMAR / ACCURACY & RANGE OF VOCABULARY / STRUCTURE

LETTER / EMAIL

FORMAL LETTER / EMAIL INFORMAL LETTER / EMAIL

• We do not use contractions in formal writing. • We use contractions (I’ve, it’s, etc.) in informal
(Most people do not agree with this position.) writing. (I’ve just seen the film you mentioned.
It’s great!)
I can’t tell you… I cannot tell you….
• We start and end letters in an informal way.
• We start and end letters in a formal way.
Dear Tom,
Dear Sir/Madam
Lots of love,
Dear Mr Smith
Take care,
Yours faithfully (after Dear Sir/Madam)
Write soon,
Yours sincerely (after Dear + surname)
• We don’t always write in complete
• We always write in complete sentences. (I
sentences. (Hope you’ll be able to come. /
hope that you will be able to come.)
Sorry to hear about your dog.)
• We use formal vocabulary.
• We use informal vocabulary. (e.g. cool instead
(e.g. accommodation  instead of a place to stay)
of impressive)
• We use indirect questions. (I would be
• We use direct questions. (Did you pass your
grateful if you could provide further
Spanish exam?)
information about the salary.)
• We use the active voice more. (They’re pulling
• We use the passive voice more. (A new law has
down the old theatre across the road.)
been introduced to reduce crime.)
• We use informal connecting words and
• We use formal connecting words and phrases.
phrases. (Anyway, what I wanted to tell you
(Moreover, it is clear from statistics that more
about was the party last night.)
people are getting divorced than ever before.)
• We use exclamation marks to give a friendly
feel. (I can’t wait to see you!)
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FORMAL LETTER / EMAIL

Writing Part 1
You are searching for a part-time job and find the following advertisement online. Write an email in which you
explain:

 why you are interested

I am hoping to TAKE UP WRITING AS A CAREER.
 which column you wish to write and why
 past experience in writing.
I HAVE NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN WRITING
I hope I will not be TURNED DOWN ON THE GROUNDS OF LACK OF EXPERIENCE .

Write between 100 and 150 words.

Columnists Wanted
If you are interested in writing and want to work from home at your own pace, this is a great chance for
you. We are currently looking for columnists to write on the following subject areas:
Travel
Culture and events
Technology and gadgets
Contact Editor Ms Jones at jones@onlinepaper.com

Dear Ms Jones

I am writing in connection with your advertisement that I have seen recently online. I would like to apply for this job
because I am really interested in writing and I am hoping to TAKE UP WRITING AS A CAREER.

To start with, I am a well-travelled young man who has travelled extensively in both Europe and America, so I think
I would be a great columnist for the Travel section of your magazine.

Unfortunately, I HAVE NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN WRITING but I hope I will not be TURNED DOWN ON THE
GROUNDS OF LACK OF EXPERIENCE .

I would be grateful if you would consider my application I am ready to attend an interview at your earliest
convenience.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Zsombor Subert
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WRITING MODEL 1: Letter of application

Dear Sir / Madam

I am writing to you in order to apply for the position of ‘Part-time assistant’ you are advertising on your website.

I am 26 years of age, majoring in Psychology at London University. Although I have no direct experience of tourism, I
am particularly interested in coming to Bath due to the city’s rich cultural heritage and the flexible position you are
offering.

Working at the Tourism Centre would be ideal for me because I could practise foreign languages (I am fluent in
English, German and Spanish and also get by in Russian) and I could also meet all sorts of people, which is intriguing
for me as a future psychologist.

I would be able to start as of May 1st. Should you need any further information, please contact me at 0036
70 336 445. References are available upon request.

I hope that you will consider my application favourably.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Peter Biro

USEFUL LANGUAGE

I would like to apply for the post/position of (job title).

I was interested to see your advertisement in today`s Daily Telegraph and would like to be considered for this post.

I have always been interested in (using English in my work).

One of the main reasons I am applying for this job is that (I want to work in England).

I have a lot of experience of (dealing with the public).

I am available to start work (from the end of the month).

I can make myself available for an interview at any time.

A copy of my CV is enclosed with copies of previous testimonials.

I hope to hear from you soon and to be given the opportunity to present myself at an interview.

I would be grateful if you would (send me further details of the job).

I can be contacted (on 0849 5848 43) at any time.

Thank you for considering my application.

I look forward to hearing from you.

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WRITING MODEL 2: Letter of complaint

Dear Sir / Madam

I am writing to complain about a Club 20-30 holiday I went on at the resort of Karamelli between 14th and 28th June.

According to your brochure, accommodation was supposed to be in a small villa. However, when I got to Karamelli, I
was taken to a modern hotel a mile from the sea. Even though it had just been built, there were cracks everywhere
and it looked as though it was going to fall down. The walls were paper thin and you could hear everything from the
neighbouring room.

To make matters worse, there were only two other young people in the hotel and they were both men. The hotel had
been taken over by a package tour of old age pensioners who insisted on playing bingo in the discotheque every
evening. Where was the 'night life' I had been promised?

On top of everything, when I mentioned my complaints to your company representative, she was extremely rude to
me and only reappeared at the end of my stay and became abusive when I refused to give her a tip.

You can imagine how upset I am at having spent a considerable amount of money on this holiday. In fact, I expect a
full refund plus compensation for the inconvenience and discomfort I suffered. I trust you will give this matter your
immediate attention.

I look forward to receiving a satisfactory reply by return of post. If I do not receive full satisfaction, I intend to write to
the TV programme 'Value for Money' and expose your operation.

Yours faithfully,

Peter Carr

USEFUL LANGUAGE

I am writing to complain about (a holiday I booked with your company).

I am writing to say that I am not satisfied with (the standard of service at your restaurant).

I am sorry to say that (your company let us down).

It wasn’t what we were expecting at all.

We expected (to be met at the airport) but unfortunately (nobody turned up). But in fact, (it had neither).

According to your brochure, (the hotel had a sauna and Jacuzzi).

To make matters worse, (we were informed that we could not pay by credit card).

In view of all the problems we had, I feel (your company should refund our money).

I must insist that you (refund the cost of the bill).

I would be grateful if you could (refund my deposit as soon as possible).

We would be interested to know what you intend to do about this.

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WRITING MODEL 3: Letter of inquiry

TASK

Your basketball team is interested in taking part in an international sports tournament for young people but only has
the advertisement shown below and needs more information.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS CONVENTION,

HEIDELBERG

 calling all sports enthusiasts

everywhere
 bringing the youth of the world
together
 participation is invited in an
athletics and sports festival
 for application forms and more
information write to:

Sebastian Link, Heldenstrasse 3, Heidelberg

63344 Germany

Dear Mr Link

I saw your advertisement for the International Sports Convention in Total Sports magazine and I am writing for more
information. I am a member of a basketball team and we are all keen to take part in the event. However, we would
require further details.

First of all, we would like to ask which sports the event will involve. We hope basketball is one of them. We would
also need to know the exact dates of the Convention. In fact, we are going to be taking exams till the end of June and
so the members of our team will be free from 1 July onwards.

As for the team, we are planning to bring a total of twelve people, including our coach. Will this be acceptable? Also,
there were no details about accommodation in your advertisement and it would be useful for us to know what the
options are and whether bookings are made by you or by the participants themselves.

Finally, could you send us an information pack, including application forms and any other useful information about
the Convention and the city of Heidelberg.

I look forward to receiving your answer,

Yours faithfully,

Sophie Waltz

USEFUL LANGUAGE
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I am writing to enquire about …

I was interested in your advertisement in The Daily News and I would like to have further information about …

I would be grateful if you could send me full details of (the courses you offer).

I am writing to request further information about (your courses).

Having seen your advertisement in (Lift Off magazine)

Could you possibly send me (your brochure)?

Would it be possible to (add another name to the list of participants)?

I would like to know whether (we can hire the rooms for the whole weekend).

Could you give me an idea of how expensive the food and drink is?

I look forward to receiving your reply.

INFORMAL LETTER / EMAIL

Dear Maggie

Thanks for your letter. It was great to hear from you. Congrats on passing your exams with flying colours. I told you
you’d succeed, didn’t I? Keep up the good work! Anyway, you wanted me to describe a party in my country so here
goes.

Last Saturday we held a party to celebrate the end of exams. The party was for everybody in our year (plus the
teachers!) so we decided to hold it in a local disco called Black and White. It started at about nine on Saturday
evening and went on till after midnight!

As for the people invited, there were about 120 people there altogether. Quite a big crowd, isn’t it? Everybody was
wearing casual clothes, mostly jeans and T-shirts. Except for some of the teachers who were wearing more formal
clothes. Guess what I was wearing! The trendy ripped jeans that we bought together in Kent! They’re strictly casual
wear, I know, but they fit perfectly and I do love them.

At first, people just sat around drinking soft drinks and chatting. Not everybody drinks soft drinks at parties in your
country, do they? Anyhow, after a while, the DJ put on some really great disco music and people started to dance.
Even the history teacher got up and danced! Can you imagine that? He is in his sixties! Most people left at about one
o’clock in the morning. So did I. It was a great party, after all.

That’s all for now. I hope you’ll write soon and tell me more about how you celebrated the end of the exam period.

Lots of love,

Helen
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USEFUL LANGUAGE

BEGINNING THE LETTER

Many thanks for your letter, it was really nice to hear from you again.

I thought I’d better write and (give you some more details about …)

It’s been such a long time since we wrote to each other.

I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch for such a long time.

It’s ages since I last heard from you – hope you and your family are all well.

How are things with you?

How was (your holiday)?

INTRODUCING A TOPIC

Anyway, the reason I’m writing is (that I want to ask you a favour).

You’ll never believe (what happened to me yesterday).

I know you’re longing to hear all about (my holiday).

You remember I told you in my last letter (that I was going to …)

I passed our old school yesterday and I couldn’t help thinking of you.

ENDING THE LETTER

Once again, (thanks very much for all your help).

Please drop me a line soon.

Give my love / regards to (your family).

I look forward to (meeting up again soon).

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Writing Part 2
You have recently moved to a new neighbourhood. Write a letter to a friend in which you explain why you have

moved and describe your new neighbourhood.

Write between 150 and 200 words.

Hi James,
Many thanks for your letter, it was really nice to hear from you again. I thought I’d better write and give you some more
details about the new house where we moved a little while ago.

As you know, we’ve moved seven or eight times in the last five years. Actually, my parents keep moving house
because of my dad’s job. (You know, he’s a businessman.) I’ve had enough of moving all the time! / I’m fed up with
moving house all the time! At the same time, I always make friends in a new neighbourhood.

The house is situated in a quiet, peaceful residential neighbourhood. WHAT’S MORE / IMAGINE, our next-door
neighbours, the people who live in the house next to us, say they’ll look after our cat for us while we’re away.
They’re so cool, aren’t they?

BY THE WAY, this is not everything: there is also a neighbourhood watch system, organized by a group of
neighbours, in which members of the group regularly watch each other’s houses in order to prevent crime.

Anyway, I must go now. I hope you’ll be able to come and see our new place soon.
Give my love to your family.

Take care,

Erik
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DICTIONARIES

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 9781447954194

https://nyelvkonyvbolt.hu/shop/nyelvkonyvek/szotarak/egynyelvu-szotarak/
longman-dictionary-of-contemporary-english-6th-edition-paperback

Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 9780194798488

https://nyelvkonyvbolt.hu/shop/nyelvkonyvek/szotarak/egynyelvu-
szotarak/oxford-advanced-learners-dictionary-paperback-10th-edition-with-1-
years-app-and-online-access

PREPARATORY BOOKS
www.nyelvkonyvbolt.hu
9789630598729 LanguageCert B2 Exam Preparation Guide
9781781644041 Succeed in LanguageCert - CEFR B2 - Practice Tests (12) - Self-
study Edition
9788853626738 Ready for LanguageCert Communicator B2 Practice Tests
9781781644096 Simply LanguageCert Level B2 Communicator Student's Book -
8 Exam Preparation Units & 4 Practice Tests Self-study edition
9781471579745 LanguageCert Practice Tests B2 Communicator Student's Book
with DigiBook