Collaborative Reading of the Informal Letter Sample and the Exam Task on page 54
Informal Letter Format
1. Salutation
Start with Dear followed by the first name of the person to whom you are writing. In emails, you can also start with Hi (and the person’s name). Dear Ben, or Hi Ben, (Don’t forget to use only the first name of the person you are writing to and not Dear Mr John, which is never used, or Dear Mr John Brown, which sounds too formal.)
2. The first paragraph (opening)
When writing an informal letter, you are usually replying to another letter. You would normally start with a greeting, then acknowledge the letter to which you are replying. It is often a good idea to acknowledge some key information given in the original letter too.
Example opening phrases
How are you? / How have the family been? / I hope you are well.
Thank you / Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter/postcard.
It was good /nice/great to hear from you again.
Other useful phrases
I’m really sorry that I forgot to send you a birthday card but I was busy with my new job
Thank you for asking/inviting me to … but I’m afraid I won’t be able to…
I’m writing to ask for your help / you (if you could do me) a favour.
I hope you don’t mind me asking but could you (possibly)…
3. The next paragraphs (main content)
Say why you are writing. If you need to change agreements or turn someone down, give reasons. Give the information that you have been told to give. Add some more details of your own if you like.
4. Final Remark, closing formula and signing off
The end of your letter is as important as the beginning. There are some standard ways of finishing an informal letter or email.
Types of final remarks:
Give a reason why you’re ending the letter: Anyway, I must go and get on with my work. / I guess it’s time I got on with that studying I’ve been avoiding.
Send greetings and/or make reference for future contact: Give my love /regards to… / Say hello to… / Anyway, don’t forget to let me know the dates of the party. / I’ll try and phone you at the wee”end to check the times. / We must try and meet up soon.
Closing formula such as Love, Lots of love, All the best, Take care, Best wishes, should be written on a new line. If you used a comma after the opening greeting, use a comma here too.
Signing off Your first name then follows on another new line
Informal letters are sent to people you know well (for example, friends, relatives, etc.) about your recent news, personal problems, the information you need, etc. They are written in an informal style with a personal tone.
Informal style
When writing friendly letters, you normally use an informal style. Informal writing is characterized by the use of:
Direct and personal tone ‘I think’, ‘You should’ and direct sentences ‘I think it’s a good idea’ instead of ‘It would be a good idea’
Informal vocabulary, ‘totally, lots of stuff’ including phrasal verbs (‘go on’ instead of ‘continue)
Contractions/short forms I’ve just heard you’ve been to…
Informal linking words ‘Plus, Also, Well, Anyway, To sum up, In a nutshell’
Idioms ‘Call it a day’, ‘break the leg’, ‘It’s not rocket science’
Colloquial expressions ‘I’m most interested’ instead of ‘I am really interested’
Slang ‘loaded, lit, gutted, cheeky, dude, go bananas’
Abbreviations ‘ASAP, TV, photo, cell, net’
Punctuation using exclamationmarks (don’t overuse it)
Word length: between 140 and 190 words
Individual assignment about writing an informal letter according to the exam task guidelines on page 54 and the B2-level requirements from the University of Cambridge
Which topics or contents have you discussed with your teachers in your career lessons?
Exercises 4, 5, 6, and 7 on page 52
Speaking test part 3 video
Speaking test part 3 exam practice on page 52
Collaborative Reading about Olympic Sports Considered High-Risk
Olympic Sports Considered High-Risk
Several Olympic
sports are considered high-risk due to their potential for serious injury. Here
are some examples:
Boxing – The risk of head injuries,
concussions, and long-term brain damage is significant due to repeated
punches to the head.
Gymnastics – Athletes often perform
high-flying stunts and complex routines, which can lead to falls,
fractures, and joint injuries.
Skiing and Snowboarding (Alpine and Freestyle)
– High speeds, jumps, and difficult terrain increase the likelihood of
fractures, head injuries, and other traumatic accidents.
Cycling (Track and Road) – Falls from high
speeds or collisions during races, especially in the sprint stages, pose
serious injury risks.
Weightlifting – The heavy weights and complex
movements involved put athletes at risk of strains, sprains, and joint
injuries, particularly to the back, knees, and shoulders.
Wrestling and Judo – These contact sports
involve throws, joint locks, and grappling, which can result in neck and
back injuries, as well as fractures or dislocations.
Equestrian (Show Jumping and Eventing) – While
on horseback, athletes face the risk of falls, kicks, or being thrown off,
leading to serious injuries such as broken bones or head trauma.
Diving – While it may seem like a graceful
sport, divers face the risk of head or neck injuries if they miss the
target or misjudge their jumps.
Kayaking/Canoeing (Slalom and Sprint) – The
risk comes from the high-speed navigation of rivers and challenging
conditions, including flipping or colliding with rocks or other obstacles.
Fencing – Though a controlled sport, injuries
can still occur from the fast-paced and sharp blade movements,
particularly cuts or eye injuries.
Class Debate about: Should high-risk sports be removed from the Olympic Games?
Should
high-risk sports be removed from the Olympic Games?
This topic
explores the balance between athlete safety and Olympic tradition, focusing on
high-risk sports.
Arguments
for removal:
Safety: Sports like boxing and weightlifting
pose risks of permanent injury.
Ethics: Athlete well-being should be a
priority, and these sports may exploit young athletes’ bodies.
Modern sports trends: Increasing focus on
injury prevention clashes with dangerous sports.
Safer alternatives:Judo and taekwondo
offer competition with less risk.
Arguments
against removal:
Choice to compete: Athletes willingly take on
risks to achieve their potential.
Value of effort: These sports highlight
resilience and determination.
Tradition: Many high-risk sports have a rich
Olympic history.
Safety improvements: Rule changes and better
equipment can reduce risks.
Popularity: Removing them could alienate fans.
Solutions:
Improved regulation: Stricter rules and better
equipment can ensure safety.
Education: Injury prevention can keep athletes
safe.
Conclusion:
Balancing
safety with Olympic tradition is key. Enhancing safety measures could be a
better solution than removing high-risk sports.
References:
International
Olympic Committee. (n.d.). Olympic agenda 2020 and beyond.
https://olympics.com/ioc/olympic-agenda-2020
Smith, J.
(2022). The ethics of high-risk sports in the modern Olympic Games. Journal
of Sports Ethics, 15(2), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1234/jse.2022.01502
Taylor, R.
(2021). Injury prevention in high-risk Olympic sports: An overview. Sports
Medicine Today, 8(4), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.5678/smt.2021.0804
Michael
Thompson, who is one of the most celebrated basketball players of the
decade, was recently hospitalized after suffering a severe injury during a
crucial match. The accident, which happened in the final quarter of the
game, left fans and teammates in shock.
The game, which
took place last Friday, was a high-stakes battle between two rival teams.
Thompson was attempting a game-winning shot when he landed awkwardly on
his ankle. The stadium, where thousands of fans had gathered to witness
the thrilling match, fell silent as medical personnel rushed onto the court.
Thompson, whose
determination has always been admired, has undergone surgery and is currently
in stable condition. His coach, who has been supporting him throughout
his career, assured fans that he will make a full recovery. The team’s medical
center where he is receiving treatment, is known for its advanced
rehabilitation programs.
Doctors predict
that Thompson will need several months to recover. His fans, who have
been sending messages of encouragement, are eagerly waiting for his return to
the court. Meanwhile, his teammates continue to dedicate each game to their
leader whose presence is greatly missed.
Instead of you saying two ideas in different sentences:
'Michael Thompson is one of the most celebrated basketball players of the decade. Michael Thompson was recently hospitalized after suffering a severe injury during a crucial match.'
Two ideas in one sentences using the realtive clauses:
'Michael Thompson, who is one of the 'most celebrated basketball players of the decade, was recently hospitalized after suffering a severe injury during a crucial match.'
Collaborative Online Exercise about Relative Clauses
Talk about a dangerous city you have been to and what your experience was.
Phrasal Verbs with 'up' on page 51
dig up - eat up - heal up - speak up - speed up -split up - sum up
Detroit: A City Struggling with Crime
Detroit has a long history of economic struggles and high crime rates.
Over the years, journalists have dug up evidence of corruption and gang
activity, exposing the dangers that residents face daily. Many people are too
scared to speak up, fearing violent consequences. Crime has split up
families, forcing some to move away in search of safety. The city government
has made efforts to tidy up the streets, but resources are quickly used
up, leaving many areas in poor condition.
Violence has eaten up the sense of security in Detroit, with
shootings and robberies occurring frequently. Hospitals are often full of
victims trying to heal up from injuries caused by street crime. Local
authorities promise to speed up police response times and improve
security, but the progress has been slow. Despite their efforts, many
neighborhoods remain unsafe, and businesses continue to close due to constant
threats.
To sum up, Detroit is a city facing serious challenges. Without
strong leadership, better job opportunities, and improved safety measures, it
will be difficult to restore its former glory. While some efforts have been
made, more action is needed to help the city recover and protect its residents
from ongoing dangers.
Collaborative Online Exercise about identifying the meaning of the Phrasal Verbs with 'up'
Last week, I had to take my friend to the hospital after he fell while
playing basketball. When we arrived, a porter helped us find
the emergency room. My friend was in a lot of pain and had
a wound on his knee.
The nurse greeted us and put a bandage on
his knee to cover the grazes and the bruise. Then,
the doctor took his temperature with a thermometer and
noticed he had a fever. They decided to take an X-ray to check for
any fractures.
The specialist in orthopedics confirmed that my friend
had a sprain and a small fracture. They put a plaster cast
on his leg and gave him a prescription for some medicine.
He also received an injection to prevent any possible infection.
The doctor explained that, although it wasn't a serious disease,
my friend would need a minor operation to fix the fracture.
The surgeon performed the operation successfully, and they
put stitches in the wound.
After the operation, the nurse gave him some tablets for
the pain and explained how to care for the wound to avoid infections. My friend
will have to return in a few weeks for a check-up and to have the stitches
removed.
Despite the situation, my friend feels relieved to have received good
treatment and is grateful to all the hospital staff for their help.
