Writing Task 1 Language

Question 1

Opening paragraph - formal

Answer 1

Dear Mr. Name,
Dear Ms. Name
Dear Sir or Madam,

Introducing:

• I was a guest at your hotel on the 21st and the 22nd of October.
• I am a student at your college, enrolled in the web development course.
• Thank you for your kind invitation to the…
• Thank you for asking me about studying in NZ.

Reason for writing:

• I am writing this letter to…
• I would like to inquire about the course details.
• I would like to inform you about the course details.
• I am writing to complain about the poor service at your restaurant.

Question 2

Opening paragraph - informal

Answer 2

Dear Name,

• Hello. I hope everything is fine.
• Thank for the invitation.
• Thanks for your letter. It was nice to hear from you.
• I must tell you about…
• Can you help me?…
• I am very sorry I forgot to send you a birthday card.

Question 3

Closing paragraph - formal

Answer 3

Making a request:

• Thank you for your attention to this matter.
• I look forward to your prompt response.
• I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Giving an apology:

• Once again, I am sorry for any inconvenience caused.
• Please accept my apologies once more.

Making a complaint:

• I expect to hear from you very soon.
• Please give me this matter your immediate attention.

Giving information:

• I hope this information will help you.
• Please feel free to contact me for more information.

Making suggestion:

• I trust these suggestions have been useful.
• Please let me know if I can help any further.

Question 4

Closing paragraph - informal

Answer 4

Making a request:

• Thanks for your help
• Please write soon.

Giving an apology:

• I hope I didn’t cause you too much trouble.
• Sorry again!

Giving information:

• I hope all this helps
• If I can tell you anything else, please call me.

Making suggestion:

• I hope these suggestions help
• If there is anything else I can do, please call.

Question 5

Useful phrases - formal

Answer 5

Apology:

• I am terribly sorry, but…
• I am afraid I…
• I must apologise about (not) doing/(v-ing)…

Complaint:

• I must complain about …
• I am not satisfied with …
• I feel something should be done about …

Request:

• Could you please …
• Could you possibly …
• Would it be possible to …
• I would be grateful if you would …
• Would you mind doing/(v-ing) …
• I wonder if you could …

Making suggestions:

• I would like to suggest that …
• May I suggest that …
• Perhaps we could …
• Could you please…

Question 6

Useful phrases - informal

Answer 6

Apology:

• I am very sorry but …
• I am sorry about (not) doing (v-ing)…

Request:

• Could you…
• Can you …
• I would like you to …
• Would you mind doing (v-ing)…

Making suggestions:

• How about …
• What about …
• Why don’t we…
• Let’ …