Year 9 English

1. 1.Match each if-clause to the main clause that completes it.

   • If you leave milk in the sun,
   • If you add salt to water,
   • If you switch the fan on,
   • If the train is delayed,
   • If we lived nearer the school,
   • If I found a wallet in the street,

   • its boiling point rises.
   • I would hand it in at the police station.
   • we will wait on the platform.
   • the room cools down.
   • it turns sour.
   • we would walk there every morning.

2. 2.Complete this first conditional using the verb "get". Write two words. If you practise every day, you ____ better quickly.

3. 3.Complete this second conditional with the past form of "know". Write one word. If she ____ the answer, she would put her hand up.

4. 4.Sort each sentence by the kind of condition it sets up. The verb forms will tell you.

   Groups: Zero — always true · First — a real possibility · Second — imagined, not the case

   • If she catches the early bus, she will reach on time.
   • If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.
   • If I lived beside the sea, I would swim every morning.
   • If we owned a bigger house, we would invite everyone.
   • If you heat ice, it melts.
   • If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.

5. 5.Each card is the result half of a conditional sentence. Sort by which kind of conditional it belongs to.

   Groups: First conditional · Second conditional

   • we will miss the train
   • she would tell you the truth
   • we would miss the train
   • she will tell you the truth
   • the plants would die
   • the plants will die

6. 6.Sort each sentence by whether it treats the situation as a real possibility or as something imagined. The verb forms will tell you.

   Groups: A real possibility · Imagined — not the case

   • If the shop has bread, I will buy a loaf.
   • If we lived on the moon, we would need a spacesuit.
   • If I had wings, I would fly to school.
   • If elephants could talk, they would tell us a great deal.
   • If she runs fast enough, she will win the race.
   • If I finish my homework early, I will watch the match.

7. 7.Put the cards in order to make one correct first-conditional sentence.

   • we will
   • If
   • cycle to the lake.
   • the weather
   • stays dry,

8. 8.Second conditional — imagining something that is not the case. If we ____ a garden, we would grow our own vegetables.

   • a) will have
   • b) would have
   • c) had
   • d) have

Conditionals: zero, first and second · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Rewrite this so that it talks about the past. "You should apologise." Write the three words that replace "should apologise".

2. 2.Match each piece of evidence to the sentence it best supports.

   • The floor is covered in flour.
   • His shoes are by the door but the house is silent.
   • The form was never sent.
   • We lost by a single run.

   • She should have sent it a week ago.
   • We could have won that match.
   • Somebody must have been baking.
   • He might have fallen asleep.

3. 3.The pitch is soaked and there is nobody on it. Which sentence draws the most confident conclusion?

   • a) It must have rained.
   • b) It might have rained.
   • c) It could have rained.
   • d) It should have rained.

4. 4.Every one of the past modals in this skill is built the same way: a modal, then one fixed word, then a past participle. Write that fixed middle word.

5. 5.Put the cards in order to make one correct sentence.

   • an hour
   • We
   • left
   • earlier.
   • should have

6. 6.Ravi missed the deadline because he began the work on the last evening. Which sentence says what he ought to have done?

   • a) He might have started earlier.
   • b) He must have started earlier.
   • c) He should have started earlier.
   • d) He could not have started earlier.

7. 7.Sort each sentence by the time it is talking about.

   Groups: About the past · About now or later

   • She should have seen a doctor.
   • You must be tired after that walk.
   • They might have been at home.
   • You must have been tired after that walk.
   • They might be at home.
   • She should see a doctor.

8. 8.Sort each sentence by what the speaker is really doing.

   Groups: Concluding — almost certain it happened · Naming a possibility that was never taken · Saying what ought to have been done

   • You could have taken the earlier train.
   • The ground is wet — it must have rained in the night.
   • Her bag is gone, so she must have left already.
   • They should have checked the address before setting out.
   • You should have told me you were unwell.
   • We could have won if the last catch had been held.

Modals in the past · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Which sentence mixes its tenses wrongly?

   • a) I will read it and tell you about it.
   • b) I was reading when the phone rang.
   • c) I read the book and enjoyed it.
   • d) I am reading when the phone rang.

2. 2.Which verb breaks the tense? "Every morning she wakes up early, made her bed and goes for a run."

   • a) made
   • b) goes
   • c) wakes
   • d) none — the tense is consistent

3. 3.Put the sentences of this past-tense passage in order. The time words will tell you where each one belongs.

   • By evening the storm had passed and the streets were quiet.
   • Within minutes the rain was falling in sheets.
   • At first the sky was clear and the sun was warm.
   • Then a grey cloud crept over the hill.

4. 4.Which version keeps one tense throughout?

   • a) The bell rings and the children ran out.
   • b) The bell ring and the children ran out.
   • c) The bell rang and the children run out.
   • d) The bell rang and the children ran out.

5. 5.Which verb breaks the tense? "The magician waved his wand, said a strange word and a rabbit appears in the hat."

   • a) said
   • b) appears
   • c) none — the tense is consistent
   • d) waved

6. 6.Correct the odd verb: "We reached the hall, took our seats and waits for the play to begin." Write the corrected verb.

7. 7.Correct the odd verb: "He picks up the bat, walks to the crease and hit the first ball for four." Write the corrected verb.

8. 8.A story is being told in the past tense. Which sentence fits into it?

   • a) He opened the door slowly.
   • b) He opens the door slowly.
   • c) He is opening the door slowly.
   • d) He will open the door slowly.

Keeping the tense consistent · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Which sentence reports a request rather than an order?

   • a) She told me that she was tired.
   • b) She requested me to open the window.
   • c) She ordered me to leave.
   • d) She asked me where I was going.

2. 2.Match each spoken line to its reported form.

   • "Where is the station?" she asked.
   • "Close the gate," he said.
   • "Please wait here," she said.
   • "Can you swim?" he asked.

   • He asked whether I could swim.
   • He told me to close the gate.
   • She requested me to wait there.
   • She asked where the station was.

3. 3.Report this: The teacher said, "Open your books."

   • a) The teacher asked us open our books.
   • b) The teacher told us open your books.
   • c) The teacher told us opening our books.
   • d) The teacher told us to open our books.

4. 4.Which sentence is correctly reported?

   • a) He asked me what my name is?
   • b) He asked me what is my name.
   • c) He asked me what was my name.
   • d) He asked me what my name was.

5. 5.Report this: Mother said, "Please help me."

   • a) Mother told me please help her.
   • b) Mother requested me to help her.
   • c) Mother said me to help her.
   • d) Mother asked please to help her.

6. 6.Which word introduces a reported yes-or-no question? Write one word.

7. 7.Sort each set of spoken words by the reporting verb it would need.

   Groups: Reported with "asked" · Reported with "told" or "ordered"

   • "Where are the keys?"
   • "Shut the door."
   • "Have you eaten?"
   • "What is your name?"
   • "Sit down at once."
   • "Bring me the file."

8. 8.Put the steps of reporting somebody's words in the right order.

   • Next, choose the reporting verb that matches it — said, asked, ordered or requested.
   • First, decide what was spoken: a statement, a question, an order or a request.
   • Finally, change the pronouns and shift the tense one step into the past.
   • Then remove the speech marks, and the question mark if there was one.

Reported questions and commands · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Sort each phrase by whether a stronger single word could replace it.

   Groups: Vague — a stronger single word exists · Already precise

   • silent
   • very wet
   • very quiet
   • very big
   • drenched
   • gigantic

2. 2.Sort each precise word by the ordinary adjective it strengthens.

   Groups: Means very happy · Means very sad · Means very surprised

   • delighted
   • astonished
   • heartbroken
   • miserable
   • astounded
   • overjoyed

3. 3.Which sentence uses its precise word correctly?

   • a) The hall was enormous, so the five of us filled it easily.
   • b) The hall was enormous, and it held two thousand people.
   • c) The hall was enormous, because it was so small.
   • d) The hall was enormous, so we squeezed in with difficulty.

4. 4.Replace "very afraid" with one precise word beginning with the letter t.

5. 5.Replace the words in capitals with one precise word: "After the climb we were VERY TIRED."

   • a) so very tired
   • b) quite tired
   • c) rather sleepy
   • d) exhausted

6. 6.Match each vague sentence to its sharper version.

   • The stew was very tasty.
   • The joke was very funny.
   • The task was very easy.
   • The noise was very loud.
   • The water was very cold.

   • The water was icy.
   • The noise was deafening.
   • The joke was hilarious.
   • The task was effortless.
   • The stew was delicious.

7. 7.In which pair has the sentence been made weaker rather than sharper?

   • a) She was furious. → She was very angry.
   • b) He was very hungry. → He was famished.
   • c) It was very cold. → It was freezing.
   • d) She was very angry. → She was furious.

8. 8.Put the steps of sharpening a weak adjective in the right order.

   • Then ask what that adjective would be if it were pushed to its limit.
   • Finally, write the single stronger word in place of both, and delete the intensifier.
   • First, find the intensifier — very, really, so, extremely.
   • Next, read the adjective it is propping up.

Choosing the precise word · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Sort each word by how formal it is.

   Groups: More formal · More everyday

   • commence
   • residence
   • purchase
   • buy
   • start
   • home

2. 2.Which feature belongs to informal writing?

   • a) formal vocabulary such as commence
   • b) full forms such as do not and cannot
   • c) contractions such as don't and can't
   • d) long noun phrases

3. 3.Match each everyday phrase to its formal equivalent.

   • find out
   • put off
   • ask for
   • get better
   • look into
   • put up with

   • investigate
   • postpone
   • discover
   • request
   • tolerate
   • improve

4. 4.You are writing to a company about a faulty product. Which opening is right?

   • a) Hi, your thing broke.
   • b) Hey, fix this.
   • c) I am writing to report a fault in a product I purchased from you.
   • d) Your product is useless.

5. 5.Which greeting suits a letter to a principal you have never met?

   • a) Hey Principal
   • b) Hello you
   • c) Dear Sir or Madam
   • d) Hi there

6. 6.Rewrite "kids" with the more formal word.

7. 7.In a formal letter of complaint, which sentence is better?

   • a) I would be grateful if you could arrange a refund.
   • b) Give me my money back.
   • c) I want a refund.
   • d) Refund me quickly please.

8. 8.Sort each closing line by where it belongs.

   Groups: A note to a friend · An official letter

   • Can't wait!
   • Thanks a lot!
   • Thank you for your assistance.
   • I look forward to your reply.
   • I await your response.
   • See you soon.

Formal and informal register · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.In "We waited until the rain stopped", the clause "until the rain stopped" is a ____.

   • a) noun clause
   • b) adjective clause
   • c) adverb clause
   • d) main clause

2. 2.Write the subordinate clause in "He stayed at home because he was unwell."

3. 3.In "Although the sum was hard, she solved it", which part is the main clause?

   • a) Although the sum was hard
   • b) Although
   • c) the sum was hard
   • d) she solved it

4. 4.Put the steps of naming a subordinate clause in the right order.

   • Then ask what job that clause does in the sentence.
   • First, find the main clause — the part that could stand alone.
   • Next, find the word that begins the other clause, such as who, when or that.
   • Finally, name it a noun, adjective or adverb clause from the job it does.

5. 5.In "Nobody knows where he went", the clause "where he went" is a ____.

   • a) main clause
   • b) noun clause
   • c) adverb clause
   • d) adjective clause

6. 6.Which sentence contains an adverb clause?

   • a) This is the book I wanted.
   • b) I know that you tried.
   • c) The man who called was polite.
   • d) She sings whenever she is happy.

7. 7.Sort each clause by what it tells you.

   Groups: Tells you when or why — adverb clause · Tells you which one — adjective clause

   • as soon as the gate opened
   • although he was tired
   • who teaches us science
   • whose bag was missing
   • that we saw last week
   • since it was getting dark

8. 8.Write the one word that begins the adjective clause in "The girl who sang first won the prize."

Noun, adjective and adverb clauses · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1."The runners who trained on the hills finished first." There are no commas. What does the sentence tell you?

   • a) Every runner trained on the hills.
   • b) The runners finished first, and it happens that they had all trained on the hills.
   • c) Some of the runners trained on the hills, and those are the ones who finished first.
   • d) None of the runners trained on the hills.

2. 2.Put the cards in order to make one correct sentence with a defining relative clause.

   • The pen
   • has run out.
   • last week
   • which
   • you lent me

3. 3.The speaker has only one uncle. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • a) My uncle who lives abroad, is coming on Sunday.
   • b) My uncle, who lives abroad is coming on Sunday.
   • c) My uncle, who lives abroad, is coming on Sunday.
   • d) My uncle who lives, abroad, is coming on Sunday.

4. 4.Complete with a defining relative clause built from "lives next door". Write the four words that fill the gap: The woman ____ is a pilot.

5. 5.Which sentence is wrong?

   • a) The film that we watched last night was long.
   • b) The film we watched last night was long.
   • c) The film which we watched last night was long.
   • d) The film, that we watched last night, was long.

6. 6.In each sentence the relative clause is in capitals. Sort by whether that clause needs commas round it.

   Groups: Needs commas — extra information · No commas — it says which one

   • The boy WHO PLAYS THE FLUTE sits behind me.
   • The man WHO GREW UP ON A FARM keeps bees.
   • My father WHO GREW UP ON A FARM tells wonderful stories.
   • My mother WHO IS A DOCTOR works long hours.
   • The doctor WHO TREATED MY ANKLE works at the clinic.
   • My only brother WHO PLAYS THE FLUTE is younger than me.

7. 7.One relative pronoun can never introduce a clause sitting between a pair of commas. Write it.

8. 8.Match each relative pronoun to what it stands in for.

   • who
   • whom
   • whose
   • which
   • where
   • when

   • a person, as the subject of the clause
   • a time
   • a thing or an animal
   • something belonging to the person or thing
   • a person, as the object of the clause
   • a place

Defining and non-defining relative clauses · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Put the cards in order to make one correct sentence.

   • the shop was crowded,
   • we found
   • everything
   • on the list.
   • Although

2. 2.Where does the comma belong? "When the results of the district competition were finally announced the whole class cheered."

   • a) after "When"
   • b) after "competition"
   • c) after "class"
   • d) after "announced"

3. 3.Which mark joins these two closely linked sentences without any joining word? "The library was silent. Nobody had come in all afternoon."

   • a) a comma
   • b) a semicolon
   • c) a hyphen
   • d) an apostrophe

4. 4.Sort each sentence by whether its punctuation is correct.

   Groups: Correctly punctuated · Wrongly punctuated

   • Because the road was closed, we took the long way round.
   • The gate was locked, so we climbed over the wall.
   • We waited for an hour, the train never came.
   • We waited for an hour; the train never came.
   • The gate was locked so, we climbed over the wall.
   • Because, the road was closed we took the long way round.

5. 5.Each card holds two pieces of a sentence, split by a slash. Sort by whether a semicolon could join them.

   Groups: Yes — both halves are complete sentences · No — one half cannot stand alone

   • She opened the letter / her hands were shaking
   • She opened the letter / which had come that morning
   • The sky darkened / the birds fell silent
   • The sky darkened / because a storm was coming
   • The road was closed / after the landslide
   • The road was closed / we turned back

6. 6.Which sentence is punctuated wrongly?

   • a) The rain stopped, the match began.
   • b) The rain stopped, and the match began.
   • c) The rain stopped. The match began.
   • d) The rain stopped; the match began.

7. 7.Match each faulty sentence to the correction it needs.

   • It was late, we went home.
   • Although it was late we went home.
   • We went home it was late.
   • We went home, because, it was late.

   • take out both commas
   • add a comma after the opening clause
   • replace the comma with a semicolon
   • put a full stop between the two halves

8. 8.Joining two complete sentences with nothing but a comma has a name. Write the two words for it.

Punctuating complex sentences · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.This is a rule on a notice, not a suggestion. Fill the gap: "Visitors ____ leave their bags at the counter before entering the reading room."

   • a) might
   • b) may
   • c) could
   • d) must

2. 2.Fill the gap: "____ she had studied for weeks, she still felt nervous before the paper."

   • a) Because
   • b) So
   • c) Although
   • d) Unless

3. 3.Which pair fills both gaps? "The library stays open ____ nine in the morning ____ six in the evening."

   • a) in … on
   • b) from … to
   • c) since … until
   • d) at … by

4. 4.In each sentence one word has been removed. Sort each gap by the kind of word that belongs in it.

   Groups: Article · Preposition · Conjunction

   • He wanted to help, ____ he had no time.
   • The keys are ____ the top drawer.
   • We can walk, ____ we can take the bus.
   • I bought ____ umbrella on the way home.
   • This is ____ best book I have read.
   • She waited ____ the corner for ten minutes.

5. 5.Fill the gap with one word: "There is very ____ water left in the tank, so use it carefully."

6. 6.Fill the gap: "Anjali had never owned ____ umbrella before that rainy week."

   • a) the
   • b) an
   • c) any
   • d) a

7. 7.Sort each gapped sentence by the tense its gap needs. The time expression is the clue.

   Groups: Simple past · Present perfect

   • She ____ the letter last Tuesday.
   • They ____ in this town for a year and then moved away.
   • I ____ that film twice, and I would gladly see it again.
   • I ____ that film on Sunday.
   • They ____ in this town since 2015.
   • She ____ the letter, so you can read it now.

8. 8.Match each clue expression to the verb form it forces.

   • since last April
   • yesterday evening
   • at this very moment
   • every single day
   • tomorrow afternoon

   • present continuous
   • simple future
   • simple past
   • present perfect
   • simple present

Integrated grammar: filling gaps in a passage · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.In careful writing, "only" goes immediately before the words it limits. If the meaning is that she read one page and no more, which version places it correctly? "She read the first page of the letter."

   • a) She read the first page of the only letter.
   • b) She only read the first page of the letter.
   • c) Only she read the first page of the letter.
   • d) She read only the first page of the letter.

2. 2.Which sentence accidentally says something its writer did not mean?

   • a) The old bridge looked strange as I walked home in the rain.
   • b) Walking home in the rain, the old bridge looked strange to me.
   • c) Walking home in the rain, I saw the old bridge for the first time.
   • d) As I walked home in the rain, the old bridge looked strange.

3. 3.Which sentence is correct as it stands?

   • a) He explained to me the whole problem.
   • b) He explained me about the whole problem.
   • c) He explained me the whole problem.
   • d) He explain to me the whole problem.

4. 4.Which word should be taken out? "He returned back from the station an hour ago."

   • a) back
   • b) ago
   • c) from
   • d) returned

5. 5.One word is missing. Which is it? "She is fond music and dancing."

   • a) with
   • b) for
   • c) in
   • d) of

6. 6.Put the steps of editing a sentence in the right order.

   • Finally, read the corrected sentence aloud to be sure nothing new has broken.
   • First, read the sentence straight through without stopping.
   • Next, find the subject and its verb, and check that they agree.
   • Then look for a word that is missing, doubled, or standing in the wrong place.

7. 7.One word is missing from this sentence. Write it. "He has been living here two years."

8. 8.Match each faulty sentence to the name of its fault.

   • He arrived to the station at six.
   • The letter was write by my sister.
   • He explained me the answer.
   • We reached at the airport late.
   • Seeing the crowd, the plan was changed.

   • a wrong verb form
   • a missing preposition
   • a preposition that is not needed
   • a dangling opening phrase
   • a wrong preposition

Editing at sentence level · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Read: "Arjun read the letter twice, folded it carefully and put it in his pocket without a word. His hands were not quite steady." What can you infer about Arjun?

   • a) The letter has affected him deeply.
   • b) He cannot read.
   • c) The letter is a shopping list.
   • d) He is bored by the letter.

2. 2.Read: "The tickets were sold out within an hour of going on sale." What can you infer?

   • a) The event was unpopular.
   • b) The event was in great demand.
   • c) The event was cancelled.
   • d) The tickets were expensive.

3. 3.Read: "She wiped her eyes quickly and turned to the window before anyone could see." Write one word for what she was hiding.

4. 4.Read: "The coach did not look at Sameer once during the team announcement." What does this most likely suggest?

   • a) The coach cannot see well.
   • b) Sameer has not been selected.
   • c) Sameer was not present.
   • d) Sameer has been made captain.

5. 5.Read: "Every wall of the small room was covered with certificates and medals." What can you infer about the person who lives there?

   • a) They dislike sport.
   • b) They have won many awards.
   • c) They have just moved in.
   • d) They collect stamps.

6. 6.Passage: "Rain drummed on the tin roof. Kavi put down his book, fetched a bucket and placed it under the wet patch on the ceiling." Sort each statement.

   Groups: Stated in the passage · Inferred from the passage

   • There is a wet patch on the ceiling.
   • Kavi did not want water on the floor.
   • It is raining.
   • The roof is leaking.

7. 7.Read: "By the time the bell rang, only three answers were filled in. Ria kept glancing at the clock." What can you infer?

   • a) Ria has run out of time.
   • b) The clock was broken.
   • c) Ria was not in the examination hall.
   • d) Ria finished early.

8. 8.Read: "Nobody answered the bell, and three days of newspapers lay on the step." What is the most likely explanation?

   • a) Somebody is at home but asleep.
   • b) Nobody has been home for days.
   • c) The bell is broken.
   • d) The newspapers arrived this morning.

Reading between the lines · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Paragraph 1: "Sunita had never once left the district." Paragraph 3: "She stepped off the train and stood quite still, looking up." What does the third paragraph gain from the first?

   • a) It tells you that she had bought a ticket.
   • b) It tells you that everything she is looking at is new to her.
   • c) It tells you how long the journey took.
   • d) It tells you what the weather was like.

2. 2.Paragraph 1: "The bus to the hill station leaves at six. Nobody in the hostel owns an alarm clock." Paragraph 2: "Meena was on the bus. She had sat up all night with a book." Why was Meena on the bus?

   • a) Somebody in the hostel woke her.
   • b) She never went to sleep, so nothing had to wake her.
   • c) She owned an alarm clock.
   • d) The bus left later than six that day.

3. 3.Paragraph 1: "The committee met the villagers and the engineers on Monday. It had asked the engineers to bring the plans." Paragraph 2: "They had brought drawings of the new bridge." Who does "They" mean?

   • a) the committee
   • b) the villagers
   • c) the drawings
   • d) the engineers

4. 4.Read: "Anil arrived at the ground in his school shoes. The other boys were already lacing their boots. He watched from the bench all afternoon." Sort each statement by what the passage does with it.

   Groups: Stated in the passage · Not stated — you worked it out

   • The other boys were lacing their boots.
   • Anil watched from the bench.
   • Anil had no boots with him.
   • Anil did not play that afternoon.
   • Anil would rather have been playing.
   • Anil wore school shoes.

5. 5.Which of these questions could only be answered by reading more than one paragraph?

   • a) What colour was the door?
   • b) What is the name of the town?
   • c) How old was the narrator when the story begins?
   • d) Why did the narrator refuse the invitation, given what had happened the year before?

6. 6.Read: "The council promised a new library, a bus route and a clinic. The first was opened last year. The second is still being argued over. The last has not been mentioned again." Match each phrase to what it points back to.

   • the first
   • the second
   • the last
   • the council

   • the body that made the promise
   • the clinic
   • the bus route
   • the library

7. 7.A passage runs in three paragraphs: the first describes the village before the flood, the second the night of the flood, the third the rebuilding. Sort each question by the paragraph that answers it.

   Groups: Paragraph 1 · Paragraph 2 · Paragraph 3

   • What crops were grown there?
   • How long did the repairs take?
   • Who paid for the new bridge?
   • How many houses stood in the village?
   • How did the families get out?
   • At what hour did the water reach the road?

8. 8.Read: "The old cinema closed in 1998. For twenty years the building stood empty. In 2018 a bookshop opened in it, and the owner kept the red velvet seats up in the balcony." Match each question to its answer.

   • How long did the building stand empty?
   • What is in the building now?
   • What was kept from the cinema?
   • Where in the building were they kept?

   • the red velvet seats
   • twenty years
   • in the balcony
   • a bookshop

Reading across paragraphs · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.In the letter convention taught in Indian and British schools, put the parts in the order they appear down the page.

   • The subject line
   • The sender's address
   • The receiver's address and designation
   • The greeting
   • The signature and name
   • The body of the letter
   • The date
   • The closing

2. 2.Which is the best subject line for a letter about a street light that has stopped working?

   • a) Regarding an important matter
   • b) Street light outside the school gate — not working since 10 May
   • c) Complaint
   • d) Please read this letter carefully

3. 3.A letter of complaint should say what it is about in its very first sentence. Which opening does that?

   • a) There are a great many problems in our locality these days.
   • b) I am writing to complain about the condition of the footpath outside the school gate.
   • c) I have been meaning to write to you for some time.
   • d) I hope this letter finds you in good health.

4. 4.Which of these letters is an enquiry rather than a complaint?

   • a) A letter telling a magazine that its article got the facts wrong.
   • b) A letter telling a shop that the goods arrived damaged.
   • c) A letter asking a college for the dates and fees of its summer course.
   • d) A letter telling the council that a street light has been broken for a month.

5. 5.In the letter convention taught in Indian and British schools, a letter that begins "Dear Mr Sharma" ends with which closing?

   • a) Yours sincerely
   • b) See you soon
   • c) Yours faithfully
   • d) Lots of love

6. 6.A formal letter names its topic on one short line, placed between the address and the greeting. What is that line called? Write two words.

7. 7.Match each sentence from a letter of complaint to the job it does.

   • I am writing to complain about the delay in delivery.
   • The order was placed on 3 April and has still not arrived.
   • This has caused considerable inconvenience.
   • I should be grateful if you would deliver it this week or refund the amount.
   • I look forward to your early reply.

   • asks for action
   • gives the facts
   • closes politely
   • states the purpose
   • explains the effect

8. 8.Sort each sentence by whether its register suits a formal letter.

   Groups: Suits a formal letter · Too informal for one

   • Write back quick!
   • Just wanted to let you know.
   • I should be grateful for an early reply.
   • Anyway, thanks a lot.
   • Kindly look into the matter at your earliest convenience.
   • I wish to bring the following to your notice.

Formal letters: complaint and enquiry · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.The opening says: "The lamp had gone out an hour before, and I had no matches." Which continuation contradicts it?

   • a) I lit the lamp again and carried it to the window.
   • b) I felt my way along the wall towards the door.
   • c) I waited for my eyes to get used to the darkness.
   • d) The room was completely dark.

2. 2.Match each opening to the only continuation that keeps everything it set up.

   • I was ten years old that summer, and the well was still full.
   • She was ten years old that summer, and the well was dry.
   • I am ten years old, and the well is full.
   • She is ten years old, and the well is dry.

   • She lowered the bucket and heard it strike stone.
   • I lowered the bucket and heard it strike water.
   • She lowers the bucket and hears it strike stone.
   • I lower the bucket and hear it strike water.

3. 3.A story begins: "I opened the gate and stepped into the empty garden. The dog was gone." Each card below is meant to be the narrator's very next sentence, and each one breaks exactly one rule. Sort them by which one.

   Groups: Changes the narrator · Changes the tense · Contradicts what was already said

   • He searched behind the water tank.
   • The garden was crowded with people, as it always was.
   • I am searching behind the water tank.
   • I patted the dog and shut the gate behind me.
   • She crossed the garden and called again.
   • I cross the garden and call again.

4. 4.A story opening reads: "I had never seen the river so high." Name the person the story is written in. Write one word.

5. 5.A story is being told in the past tense by a narrator who says "I". Sort each sentence by whether it could carry the story on.

   Groups: Fits the story · Breaks the story

   • I can hear somebody moving inside.
   • I climb the last few steps and stop.
   • I climbed the last few steps and stopped.
   • The door was already open.
   • I could hear somebody moving inside.
   • The door is already open.

6. 6.A story begins: "I had never seen the river so high. My father would not let me cross." Which continuation keeps both the narrator and the tense?

   • a) I am waiting on the bank while he walks down to look.
   • b) He walks down to the bank and points.
   • c) She waited on the bank while he walked down to look.
   • d) I waited on the bank while he walked down to look.

7. 7.A story reads: "I found the envelope under the door mat. My name was on it in handwriting I did not know." Which continuation actually moves the story on?

   • a) I stood there for a while, thinking about the envelope.
   • b) The envelope was white and rather crumpled at one corner.
   • c) I tore it open and read the first line twice.
   • d) It had been a very strange week altogether.

8. 8.Put the stages of a story continuation in the order they usually come.

   • First, pick up exactly where the opening stopped.
   • Finally, close on a line that settles the situation the opening set up.
   • Next, let something happen that the opening was leading towards.
   • Then show how the character reacts to it.

Continuing a story · Year 9 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn