Drilling on Writing - Informal Letter (Exercise 2 - To Advice)

Exercise 2
Your younger brother has just enrolled into a residential school. He is facing some problems. Write a letter to your brother, giving him some advice on how he can overcome some of his problems. Use the points given below in your letter.

• organise your time 
• choose friends carefully - have an open mind 
• concentrate on studies 
• make use of the facilities available 
• follow school rules 

Expressions used:

• as fit as a fiddle - in good health
• time is gold
• bad hats - troublemakers 
• state-of-the-art - modern
• a healthy mind creates a healthy body
• pen off - stop writing

Underline the correct answer. Then, REWRITE the letter.

________________,

________________,

________________.

16 January 2011

Dearest ______________,

        I hope you [1- is, are, was, were] as fit as a fiddle and not too homesick. All of us are fine back home although we [2- miss, misses, missed, are missing] having you around. I especially miss you as I no longer have anyone to [3- play, plays, played, playing] badminton with.

In your last letter, you [4- tell, tells, told, are telling] me that you’re having some difficulties in your new school. As you may already know, life in residential school [5- is, are, was, were] very different from home. It is more difficult and you may [6- face, faces, faced, facing] many problems. [7- In addition, Since, However, Next], don’t fret too much because all these problems can be overcome.

First, make sure that you organise your time [8- foolishly, slowly, wisely, quickly] because time is gold. Divide your time for doing homework, studying, [9- wash, washes, washed, washing] clothes and so on. I suggest that you have [10- a, an, the] timetable. So, you may find [11- it, its, it’s] easier to finish all that you have to do and still have some free time for yourself.

Next, please do be careful [12- on, in, at, of] your choice of friends. There [13- is, are, was, were] bound to be some bad hats around. So, make sure that you’re not [14- influence, influences, influenced, influencing] by the wrong set of friends. Stay away from any unhealthy [15- activity, activities] such as smoking or drug abuse. These [16- habit, habits] will only lead to disaster and jeopardize your studies. You will [17- meet, meets, met, meeting] friends from various cultures and backgrounds. So, please keep      [18- a, an, the] open mind. Don’t [19- belittle, belittles, belittled] anyone else’s beliefs or traditions. At the same time, don’t forget all that you have [20- learn, learns, learnt, learning] at home.

The main reason you were sent there [21- is, are, was, were] to help you get better results and hopefully a scholarship. [22- However, Besides, Therefore, In addition], concentrate on your studies and do well in your examinations. This is your best chance to [23- achieve, achieves, achieved, achieving] your ambitions. Don’t be shy to consult your teachers if you [24- has, have, had, are having] any problems with any subjects. You’re advisable to study in group so that it will be much easier to have discussions.

SM Sains Muzaffar Syah is distinguished for [25- it, its, it’s] state-of-the-art facilities. For that reason, make full use of them. Study in the library whenever you can because [26- it, its, it’s] comfortable and more conducive. There [27- is, are, was, were] many reference books you can look at. Your school is also [27- equip, equips, equipped, equipping] with the latest computers. So, you can [28- use, uses, used, using] the internet conveniently not only to carry out school tasks or projects but also to [29- gain, gains, gained, gaining] as much knowledge as possible. Besides, play games now and then. I know your school [30- has, have, had, is having] tennis and badminton courts. Perhaps you should [31- take up, takes up, took up, taking up] one of these games. [32- Play, Plays, Played, Playing] games is not only a form of exercise but it is also a way for you to relax. Plus, a healthy body [33- create, creates, created, is creating] a healthy mind.

Last but not least, you should [34- follow, follows, followed, following] the school rules. Never break any rules. The rules may [35- seem, seems, seemed, seeming] tiresome but they instill self-discipline and are good for character building. If you [36- break, breaks, broke, are breaking] the school rules, you may be suspended or expelled. We would be [37- disappoint, disappoints, disappointed, disappointing] if such a thing were to happen.

I hope my advice will [38- help, helps, helped, helping] you to solve your problems. Please write whenever you [39- has, have, had, are having] time. We are all anxious about you and eagerly wait for [40- your, yours, you’re] letter. I will pen off here. Take care and goodbye!

Your loving brother,

_______________

Answer

                                                                                       5, Jalan Parameswara,

                                                                                       77000 Jasin,

                                                                                       Melaka.

                                                                                       31 January 2011

Dearest Amirul,

I hope you 1) are as fit as a fiddle and not too homesick. All of us are fine back home although we 2) miss having you around. I especially miss you as I no longer have anyone to 3) play badminton with.

In your last letter, you 4) told me that you’re having some difficulties in your new school. As you may already know, life in residential school 5) is very different from home. It is more difficult and you may 6) face many problems. 7) However, don’t fret too much because all these problems can be overcome.

First, make sure that you organise your time 8) wisely because time is gold. Divide your time for doing homework, studying, 9) washing clothes and so on. I suggest that you have 10) a timetable. So, you may find 11) it easier to finish all that you have to do and still have some free time for yourself.

Next, please do be careful 12) in your choice of friends. There 13) are bound to be some bad hats around. So, make sure that you’re not 14) influenced by the wrong set of friends. Stay away from any unhealthy 15) activities such as smoking or drug abuse. These 16) habits will only lead to disaster and jeopardize your studies. You will 17) meet friends from various cultures and backgrounds. So, please keep 18) an open mind. Don’t 19) belittle anyone else’s beliefs or traditions. At the same time, don’t forget all that you have 20) learnt at home.

The main reason you were sent there 21) is to help you get better results and hopefully a scholarship. 22) Therefore, concentrate on your studies and do well in your examinations. This is your best chance to 23) achieve your ambitions. Don’t be shy to consult your teachers if you 24) have any problems with any subjects. You’re advisable to study in group so that it will be much easier to have discussions.

SM Sains Muzaffar Syah is distinguished for 25) its state-of-the-art facilities. For that reason, make full use of them. Study in the library whenever you can because 26) it’s comfortable and more conducive. There 27) are many reference books you can look at. Your school is also 27) equipped with the latest computers. So, you can 28) use the internet conveniently not only to carry out school tasks or projects but also to 29) gain as much knowledge as possible. Besides, play games now and then. I know your school 30) has tennis and badminton courts. Perhaps you should 31) take up one of these games. 32) Playing games is not only a form of exercise but it is also a way for you to relax. Plus, a healthy body 33) creates a healthy mind.

Last but not least, you should 34) follow the school rules. Never break any rules. The rules may 35) seem tiresome but they instill self-discipline and are good for character building. If you 36) break the school rules, you may be suspended or expelled. We would be 37) disappointed if such a thing were to happen.

I hope my advice will 38) help you to solve your problems. Please write whenever you 39) have time. We are all anxious about you and eagerly wait for 40) your letter. I will pen off here. Take care and goodbye!

Your loving brother,

Lutfi

You can download this exercise + the answer by clicking on the following link:

Informal Letter - Exercise 2 + Answer