Letters are written for many different reasons. However, some letters are more common than others, and such letters are asked often in IELTS.
Depending upon the content of your letter, function is to be designed and delivered accordingly. To understand different function, let’s practice this short exercise.
Activity 3.1: Choose the correct type of letter from the box.
| complain | request | gratitude |
| invitation | apology | information |
- You’re too busy to attend your sister’s birthday.
- You want to borrow your friend’s vehicle.
- You borrowed your friend’s car but had an accident.
- You’re trying to find out the opening and closing hours of your local library.
- Your English teacher helped you to get a good score in your IELTS exam.
- You’ve received a surprise present from your fiance.
- Your neighbor plays his music too loudly.
- You went to a restaurant where the food was terrible.
- You·are telling your friend that a mutual acquaintance is getting married.
- You’re having a party and you want your classmate to come.
It is important to think about these functions of the letter you are writing, because this will affect the language that you use. In English we tend to use a number of fixed phrases in particular situations. One of the most difficult aspects of letter writing for non-native English speakers can be using these phrases appropriately and accurately.
Activity 3.2: Decide the function of this IELTS Question
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
| You have recently moved into a new house. You want to tell your friend about your good news. Write to your friend. In the letter:- • Describe the house. • Describe the neighborhood. • Invite your friend to come and see the house. |
Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ———-,