Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language
D 1
Writing: Informal letters What is your opinion about fast food taking over from more traditional food? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of food? What about the places where you can buy fast food and traditional food? It might help if you concentrate on two restaurants that you know. Copy and complete the table below, listing the advantages and disadvantages of fast-food and traditional restaurants. Fast-food restaurants
Traditional restaurants
Advantages
Disadvantages
Advantages
Disadvantages
quick service
…
…
more expensive
2
Look at these words from an exam-style question: explain, describe, write, say. Discuss them with your partner and try to decide what they mean.
3
Look at the exam-style question below and complete the gaps with the words from Activity D2. Discuss your ideas with your partner. Do not write anything yet.
36
You have recently been to a new fast-food restaurant in your town. (a) … a letter to a friend, telling him or her about your visit. In your letter you should: ■ ■ ■
The pictures above may give you some ideas and you should try to use some ideas of your own.
TOP TIPS
If you are writing an informal letter to a friend or family member, you may be asked to describe something or say what you think about a suggestion or a plan. Often, the question may give you some ideas and there may be a picture to help you. The main things it to show that you can write in an informal style.
(b) … where the restaurant is, when you went there, and why (c) … the restaurant and its atmosphere (d) … what you ate and what you thought of the food.
Your letter should be 150–200 words long (Extended) or 100–150 words long (Core). 4
What would be the best way to begin and end an informal letter like the one in Activity D3? With a partner, make a list of possible opening and closing phrases. Opening phrases
Closing phrases
Hi Satish!
Best wishes