Задание

Read the text and choose the correct option

Personal letters (informal letters) are usually written to people whom they know well (friends, relatives, etc.). Accordingly, they can share current news, discuss personal issues, joke, use informal vocabulary (slang, jargon, diminutive expressions, etc.), which is unacceptable when writing an official letter.

A personal letter is also used to ask for information, to wish a happy holiday, to ask for advice / give advice. A friendly letter can be written not only to an old friend but also to a new, unknown friend. The tone of the letter should show your friendly love and concern.Like any other type of letter, informal contains certain required parts. Of course, this is a greeting and goodbye. Start with Dear + the name of the person you are writing to. Also (especially in emails) you can start with the word Hi + the person's name.

For example: Dear Bob, or Hi Bob. Do not address a person by their last name or Mr, Mrs. It sounds too formal and even ridiculous when combined with Dear.

In an unofficial letter, a comma is often put after the name, and the text of the letter itself begins on a new line. In this case, it is important to maintain the style, that is, if you used a comma at the beginning, then repeat this technique at the end of the letter, saying goodbye.

Next comes the "body" of the letter itself. Its content depends on the subject of communication. However, often we reply to another letter. Let's start with this.

  • How are you?
  • How is your family?
  • Thank you / Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter/postcard.
  • I hope you are well.
  • I was surprised to hear that... .
  • It was good/nice/great to hear from you again.

If you have not communicated for a long time, the following phrases are suitable:

  • It's ages since I've heard from you.
  • I hope you're well / you and your family are well.
  • I haven't heard from you for a hundred years.
  • Hope you are OK / you and your family are OK.
  • I'm sorry I haven't written / haven't been in touch for such a long time.

If a friend wrote about the news:

  • Glad to hear that... .
  • Great news about... .
  • Sorry to hear about... .

If we want to share the news:

  • I thought you might be interested to hear about / know that... .
  • Listen, did I tell you about... ? You'll never believe what... .
  • By the way, have you heard about / did you know that... ?
  • Oh, and another thing... . This is just to let you know that... .

Of course, after we shared everything, talked about everything, answered all the questions, you need to logically finish the letter, you can't just cut it off. For this, we also have some blanks, traditional phrases. Tell me why you are ending the letter:

  • Unfortunately, I need to / have to go.
  • It's time to finish.
  • Anyway, I must go and get on with my work!
  • Say hello or tell me about the next meeting/letter:
  • Give my love/regards to... . / Say hello to... .
  • Anyway, don't forget to let me know the dates of the party.
  • We must try and meet up soon.
  • I can't wait to hear from you.
  • Look forward to seeing you again.
  • Hope to hear from you soon.
  • See you soon.

And in conclusion, do not forget about the traditional wish from a new line.

  • Love,... / Lots of love,... .
  • All the best,... .
  • Take care,... .
  • Best wishes,... .
  1. Who do people usually write personal letters to?
    [A. To their colleagues.|B. To my friends, familiar people.|C. To their friends, well-known people and new acquaintances.|D Support service.]
  2. What do people usually write about in personal letters?
    [A. What recently happened in their lives, news, jokes.|B. That doesn't matter.|C. About the incorrect operation of the application.|D. How well the service was rendered.]
  3. What should be the tone of the letter?
    [A. Friendly, empathetic, motivated.|B. Hostile, envious.|C. Indifferent, with apathy.|D. Complaining.]
  4. How should you address the person at the beginning of the letter?
    [A. Mister, Mrs.|B. Ms.|C. Dear.|D. How are you.]
  5. What does the body of an email most often start with?
    [A. Answers to questions from the received letter.|B. An explanation of why it is time to finish the letter.|C. News story.|D. Reaction to the received letter.]
  6. What phrases are suitable if we have not communicated for a long time?
    [A. Take care.|B. I haven't heard from you for a hundred years.|C. I can't wait to hear from you.|D. I hope you are well.]
  7. What is the correct order of the parts of the letter?
    [A. Ending / Body of the letter / Beginning / Reaction to the received letter|B. Beginning/Ending / Body of the letter / Reaction to the received letter|C. Reaction to the received letter / Ending / Body of the letter / Beginning|D. Beginning / Reaction to the received letter / Body of the letter / Ending]