b. Asking for/Giving Advice at A, Read the folloving questions, then listen to the dialogue and answer them, You may take notes while listening. a) Who did Pat send a letter to? b))Is the letter formal or informal? ©) What is the reason for writing? 4) What problems does she describe in the letter? ©) How does Pat start and finish the letter? B. Read the following questions, then listen to the second letter and answer them. a) What is the reason for writing? b) What advice is given? c) How does the letter start and end? 4) Is it an informal, formal or semi-formal letter? Look at the two plans in the right-hand column of this page. Which plan was followed in each letter? Letters asking for or giving advice can be formal, informal or semi-formal ‘depending on the situation. A letter asking for advice can be sent to a friend, a consultant or an advice column in a magazine. Details of the problem should be mentioned. A letter giving advice should contain suggestions introduced with appropriate language. Useful Language for Letters Asking for Advice Opening Remarks: (Formal) | am writing to ask if you could help me with / | would appreciate it if you could give me some advice about / | am writing to ask for your advice / | would be grateful if you could offer your advice / Could you possibly ‘offer your advice / | wonder if you could help me with a problem, etc. (|nformal) I'm writing to ask for your advice / Can you give me your advice / I've got a problem and | need your advice, etc. i a Crear Ham rrel Pail [iollcleppreces ye cus gro re you ace Giving advice ‘as soon as possible / | look forward to receiving your advice / It would be of great help if you could advise me, ete. (i/"formal) What do you think | should do? / Please let me know what you think | should do. / Please tell me what to do, etc. tatroduction Paragraph 7 Useful Language for Letters Giving Advice ‘thanks for letter/express: Opening Remarks: (Final) Thank you for your letter requesting /| am writing in understanding of problem reply to your letter asking for advice about / | hope the following advice will be of ‘some help to you, ete. (informal) | just got your letter and | think | can help you / | Main Body was sorry to hear about your problem. Here's what | think you should do, ete. Se heeesie pacientes Suggestions can be introduced with expressions such as: (Formal) | strongly Paragraphs 2-3 recommend that / I would suggest that /| believe the best course of action is / I would suggestion(s) + reasons) ‘advise you to / You should / You ought to / if were you | would (informal) Why don't you / You should / You ought to / It would be a good idea to/ What you should dois | Coneluusion helped / Let me know what happens, etc. " (ful) name | How about ... /| think you should ... / The best advice I can give you is..., etc. SEP RS, Closing Remarks: (For'nal) | trust you will accept this advice / | hope this will be Flaal Paragraph ‘of help / | would very much like to know if this was helpful (formal) Hope this has closing remarks |Letters Asking for/Giving Advice 3 Read the following letters and answer these questions. What kind of letters are they? Which letter is formal and which is informal? What is the topic of each paragraph in each letter? Now replace the underlined phrases with other similar expressions, keeping the appropriate style. Dear Miss Pierson, Thank you for your letter asking for my advice about what you should do now that you have finished school. | realise how difficult this stage must be for you, but there are a range of options for you to choose from. if_1_were you, | would make a list of all the careers which may Interest you and then decide which one you feel you are best suited to in terms of exam grades or subject interest. 1 would also suggest that you see a careers officer who would be ‘able to give you professional advice. Furthermore, it would be a good idea to write to some universities and ask them to send you a prospectus; you may find a course which really appeals to you. inno these suggestions will be of help to you. | wish you well in whatever course of action you decide upon. Do let me know what you decide to do; it is aways good to hear from former pupils. Yours sincerely, Linda steel Dear stephanie, The best advice i phe bes can give you i stick to it (ou is to choose one dic afer on uh yh fs cs a fe Ff If 1 were you, 1 would go on eae You've discovered! information booklet. the ie hat way | 7 About food so macy YOu probably find that if You follow my advice, fo time. Anyway, Te-me an {ure you'll be ny emu eines: Lots of love, kate be you won't think back in shape in & 4 Study the following situations and, using appropriate expressions, offer advice to each person, Your friend wants some advice on what she should take with her on her first trip abroad. Your boyfriend/girifriend has asked you for advice on how to impress your parents the first time he/she meets them. ‘A colleague at work has asked you to advise him how to gain a promotion. You are a doctorand a patient needs advice on how he can successfully lower his high cholesterol level. Your brother would like some advice about what to look out for when buying a second-hand car. 5 Write the following letters in the appropriate style using 120 - 180 words. 1 Your parents will not let you go on holiday as they want you to study for your exams. Write a letter to a friend asking for hishher advice on this matter 2 The extract below is part of a letter you received recently from a friend, Write a reply giving her some advice about what she should do. “failed all my A-level exams so now I can’t get into university. 1 feel lke such a failure; PU never ‘get a degree now.” 3 You feel that you and your mother cannot agree on anything, Write a letter to a problem page asking for advice.