1 Reading
a Complete Amelia’s email of complaint with the words in the box.
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concern least prompt reaction regarding request residents step |
To: Ringway Council
Subject: Closure of Ringway Library
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing 1……regarding…… the council’s decision to close Ringway Library, as announced in the Ringway Guardian on Monday.
Among those of us who use the library on a regular basis, there is a great deal of 2……………… about the impact this will have on local 3……………… who need library services. The decision comes as a shock to us, particularly as statistics show that the number of people using the library rose by 20% this year.
My first 4……………… was to contact the journalist on the Ringway Guardian who wrote the piece and he gave me your contact details. I have tried to telephone and I even visited your offices in person, but no one was available to meet me.
I believe that it is unreasonable and unfair to close the only library in the area. My 5……………… is that at the very 6……………… you hold a meeting to debate the issue.
If I do not hear from you within a week, my next 7……………… will be to take legal advice. I am not convinced that this decision is in line with local government guidelines.
I look forward to a 8……………… reply.
Yours faithfully,
Amelia Shaw
b Read the email again. Are the sentences true or false?
1 Amelia found out about this through local residents.
2 The news doesn’t come as a big surprise.
3 The library has been getting less popular.
4 A journalist helped Amelia to make a complaint.
5 An answer in eight days would not satisfy Amelia.
6 The council’s decision is possibly illegal.
Answer
a 2 concern 3 residents 4 reaction 5 request 6 least 7 step 8 prompt
b True: 4, 5, 6; False: 1, 2, 3
2 Writing Skills – Using formal language
Are the expressions formal or informal? Tick (✓) the correct box.
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Formal |
Informal |
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1 Many thanks for your prompt response. |
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2 I reckon … |
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3 I believe … |
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4 The thing that really makes me angry … |
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5 How about sending me a replacement? |
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6 I would appreciate a replacement. |
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7 Great to hear from you. |
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8 Yours sincerely, |
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9 What worries us most of all … |
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10 Get back to me in a few days or … |
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11 I am writing regarding … |
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12 Regards, |
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13 If you do not respond within three days … |
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14 This is about … |
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Answer
Formal: 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13
Informal: 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14
3 Writing
You have just found out that your local council plan to turn a children’s playground near your house into a car parking area because of a lack of parking spaces. Write a formal email to complain. Use the paragraph structure and the notes to help you.
Paragraph 1: explain your reason for writing and give details (e.g. how you found out about this)
Paragraph 2: indicate why you are concerned or annoyed (e.g. children have few safe places to play)
Paragraph 3: describe what action you have taken (e.g. had a meeting with neighbours who have children)
Paragraph 4: explain what action you want the council to take
Paragraph 5: say what action you will take if there’s no response
Answer
Suggested answer
To: Wessex Council
Subject: Replacement of a children’s playground
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing regarding the decision to turn the children’s playground on Bridge Street into a parking area, as announced on local radio earlier this week.
Given that there are so few places for children to play in our neighbourhood, this development upsets many parents. What worries residents most of all is that the decision has been taken with absolutely no regard to those of us who have lived in the area for years.
I have had an informal meeting with neighbours who have small children and we all agreed that a response was necessary. I am representing the views of the majority of local residents in contacting you.
I believe that our children still need a pleasant and safe place to play. My request is that you reconsider your decision, taking into account local feelings.
If I do not hear from you soon, I will be forced to make this complaint public on social network sites. This will ensure that the local community is allowed to have its say.
I look forward to a prompt reply.
Yours faithfully,
Henry Jones