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Year 10 English — Formal letters: complaint and enquiry

Lay out a formal letter, and write one that complains or enquires in the right register.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.In the letter convention taught in Indian and British schools, a letter beginning "Dear Sir" ends with a fixed two-word closing. Write those two words.

  2. 2.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.

  3. 3.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
    • closes politely
    • explains the effect
    • gives the facts
    • states the purpose

  4. 4.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) Yours faithfully
    • c) Lots of love
    • d) See you soon

  5. 5.This is the layout of a formal letter. Tap the part where the greeting goes.

    Write the number of the part.

    12345678

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

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

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

    Groups: Suits a formal letter · Too informal for one

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

  8. 8.Match each paragraph of a formal letter to what belongs in it.

    • the subject line
    • the first paragraph
    • the middle paragraph
    • the last paragraph
    • the closing
    • one short phrase naming what the letter is about
    • why you are writing at all
    • what you are asking to be done
    • the fixed phrase that stands above your signature
    • the details, the dates and the evidence

Answer key — Year 10 English — Formal letters: complaint and enquiry

  1. 1. yours faithfully
  2. 2. subject line
  3. 3. I am writing to complain about the delay in delivery. → states the purpose; The order was placed on 3 April and has still not arrived. → gives the facts; This has caused considerable inconvenience. → explains the effect; I should be grateful if you would deliver it this week or refund the amount. → asks for action; I look forward to your early reply. → closes politely
  4. 4. a) Yours sincerely
  5. 5. 5 — The greeting
  6. 6. a) Street light outside the school gate — not working since 10 May
  7. 7. I should be grateful for an early reply. → Suits a formal letter; Write back quick! → Too informal for one; I wish to bring the following to your notice. → Suits a formal letter; Just wanted to let you know. → Too informal for one; Kindly look into the matter at your earliest convenience. → Suits a formal letter; Anyway, thanks a lot. → Too informal for one
  8. 8. the subject line → one short phrase naming what the letter is about; the first paragraph → why you are writing at all; the middle paragraph → the details, the dates and the evidence; the last paragraph → what you are asking to be done; the closing → the fixed phrase that stands above your signature