Writing: An informal letter

1Read Lisa's letter to Ginny and choose the correct answers. 

... My parents always take me to museums or for long walks at the weekend. They just don't seem to understand that my interests are different from theirs. I prefer to hang out with friends in the afternoon, or to check out new bands. What about you? Do you have a lot in common with your parents? Are your favourite free-time activities the same as theirs?

I'd be really interested to know. Write soon!

Yours,

Lisa

• 1Who is Lisa writing to?

  her friendher sister

• 2What is the type of composition?

  a formal letteran informal letter

• 3What does she want Ginny to include in her reply?

  similarities and differences with her parentsher favourite sports and what she does at the weekend

2Read Ginny's reply and answer the questions. Choose Lisa or Ginny. 

... My parents always take me to museums or for long walks at the weekend. They just don't seem to understand that my interests are different from theirs. I prefer to hang out with friends in the afternoon, or to check out new bands. What about you? Do you have a lot in common with your parents? Are your favourite free-time activities the same as theirs?

I'd be really interested to know. Write soon!

Yours,

Lisa

16 Benson Road

Aberystwyth

SY23 6WJ

21 October 2013

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for your letter − I only received it today because I'm staying in Wales with my grandparents this week.

My mum is here for the weekend too, and we're having a great time. We both really enjoy cooking. In fact, Mum is baking a cake in the kitchen as I write. Later, we're going for a walk along the beach. I always enjoy the walks, but my grandparents don't. And unlike you, I love going to museums!

Are you keen on sport? I love doing water sports, and I also support the local football team. My parents don't want to let me join the football club at school. Neither of them is at all interested in sport.

I'm going surfing later this afternoon if the weather stays fine. The weather here is just like the weather in Ireland − it rains a lot. I'll send you some photos with my next letter.

Yours,

Ginny

Which person ... ?

• 1enjoys going for walks

   

  LisaGinny

• 2often hangs out with friends

   

  LisaGinny

• 3is keen on water sports

   

  LisaGinny

• 4is interested in cooking

   

  LisaGinny

• 5loves listening to music

   

  LisaGinny

• 6doesn't like going to museums

   

  LisaGinny

3Read the letters. Underline seven words or phrases used to talk about similarities and differences. 

... My parents always take me to museums or for long walks at the weekend. They just don't seem to understand that my interests are different from theirs. I prefer to hang out with friends in the afternoon, or to check out new bands. What about you? Do you have a lot in common with your parents? Are your favourite free-time activities the same as theirs?

I'd be really interested to know. Write soon!

Yours,

Lisa

16 Benson Road

Aberystwyth

SY23 6WJ

21 October 2013

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for your letter − I only received it today because I'm staying in Wales with my grandparents this week.

My mum is here for the weekend too, and we're having a great time. We both really enjoy cooking. In fact, Mum is baking a cake in the kitchen as I write. Later, we're going for a walk along the beach. I always enjoy the walks, but my grandparents don't. And unlike you, I love going to museums!

Are you keen on sport? I love doing water sports, and I also support the local football team. My parents don't want to let me join the football club at school. Neither of them is at all interested in sport.

I'm going surfing later this afternoon if the weather stays fine. The weather here is just like the weather in Ireland − it rains a lot. I'll send you some photos with my next letter.

Yours,

Ginny

4Complete the sentences with the words in the box. 

MOVE
• contrast
• nothing in common
• neither
• similar
• a lot in common
• unlike

• 1Ginny has   with her mother.

• 2Lisa thinks she has   with her parents.

• 3The weather in Ireland is quite   to the weather in Wales.

• 4In   to Lisa, Ginny is keen on going to museums.

• 5Ginny loves football,   her mum and dad.

• 6  of Ginny's grandparents enjoys long walks.

Unit 1 Writing Guide

1.  Read the instructions.
2.  Write your answer in the Word document.
3.  Save your work.
4.  Upload your file.
5.  If you want to add a note for your teacher, write it in the Comments box.
6.  Select Submit to dropbox to send your work to your teacher.