How To Write A Business Letter Practice (B1-B2)

⏱ Time: 07:30 📝 Questions: 15 📊 Level: B1, B2 📚 Type: Business English ⭐ XP: up to +16 (on pass)

This 15-question How To Write A Business Letter practice quiz walks you through the topic step by step — from basic recognition to real-world application. Tailored for Level B1-B2, with clear explanations after every question. Great for building confidence before moving to harder topics.

⏱ You have 07:30 to answer 15 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  15
Q1 15

Question 1: Read the following opening of a letter: "Dear Ms. Johnson, I am writing to inform you that your application has been received and is currently under review." What is this an example of?

Question 1 options
This is a formal salutation followed by a professional opening statement, which are key elements of a business letter. The use of "Dear Ms. Johnson" as a greeting and the formal tone of the body text identify this as business letter format.
Q2 15

Question 2: In a business letter, the appropriate closing before your signature is: "We look forward to hearing from you. ___"

Question 2 options
"Yours sincerely" is the correct formal closing for a business letter when you know the recipient's name. "Cheers" and "Take care" are too informal for professional correspondence. "Best wishes forever" is not a standard business closing.
Q3 15

Question 3: In a business letter, you should use the recipient's first name in the salutation (e.g., "Dear Tom") even if you have never communicated with them before.

Question 3 options
When writing to someone for the first time in a professional context, you should use their title and surname (e.g., "Dear Mr. Harris"). Using a first name is too informal for initial business correspondence with an unfamiliar recipient.
Q4 15

Question 4: Which sentence correctly demonstrates a professional opening for a business letter?

Question 4 options
"I am writing to enquire about the services your company offers" uses formal register, a clear statement of purpose, and professional vocabulary. The other options are either too casual ("Hey there", "Just dropping a line") or overly dramatic and unprofessional ("I desperately need your help").
Q5 15

Question 5: Match each business letter component to its description.

Question 5 options

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

{""content"": ""The main message of the letter""
Q6 15

Question 6: Which sentence has a formatting error for a business letter?

Question 6 options
"Dear Sir/Madam" should be followed by a comma or a colon, not by the body text on the same line without any punctuation. The other sentences follow standard business letter conventions correctly.
Q7 15

Question 7: You are writing a business letter to request a meeting. Choose the best sentence to complete the paragraph: "Thank you for your prompt response to our proposal. ___ Would Tuesday at 10 a.m. suit your schedule?"

Question 7 options
"We would like to arrange a meeting to discuss the details further" is the most professional and logical transition between thanking the recipient and suggesting a time. The other options are either too casual, too vague, or unrelated to arranging a meeting.
Q8 15

Question 8: The following business letter closing contains an error: "I look forward to hear from you at your earliest convenience. Yours sincerely, David Park" Which option correctly fixes the error?

Question 8 options
The correct phrase is "I look forward to hearing from you" because "look forward to" is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing). The original uses the base form "hear," which is incorrect. The other options either keep the original error or introduce new mistakes.
Q9 15

Question 9: Arrange the parts of a standard business letter in the correct order:

Question 9 options
  • Salutation (e.g., Dear Ms. Patel,)
  • Date
  • Closing and signature (e.g., Yours sincerely, John Reed)
  • Recipient's address
  • Sender's address
  • Body of the letter

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

A standard business letter follows this order: the sender's address appears first, then the date, then the recipient's address, then the salutation, then the body, and finally the closing with signature. This is the conventional full-block format.
Q10 15

Question 10: You are writing a business letter to a company you have never contacted before, and you do not know the name of the recipient. Which option is most appropriate?

Question 10 options
When you do not know the recipient's name, the correct salutation is "Dear Sir or Madam" paired with the closing "Yours faithfully." Using "Dear Sir or Madam" with "Yours sincerely" is incorrect convention; "sincerely" pairs with a named recipient. The other options are too informal for initial business correspondence.
Q11 15

Question 11: What is the difference between a salutation and a closing in a business letter?

Question 11 options
The salutation is the greeting at the beginning of a business letter (e.g., "Dear Dr. Kim"), while the closing is the polite sign-off at the end (e.g., "Yours sincerely"). They serve different functions but both contribute to the formal tone of the letter.
Q12 15

Question 12: Which version of this sentence is most appropriate for a formal business letter to a client?

Question 12 options
"We regret to inform you that the shipment has been delayed" uses formal, professional register appropriate for business correspondence. "Sorry, but your package is late" is too casual. "We're super sorry about the delay" is informal. "The shipment delay is not our fault" is unprofessional and defensive in tone.
Q13 15

Question 13: In a business letter, it is acceptable to use contractions such as "I'm," "we've," and "don't" throughout the body of the letter.

Question 13 options
Business letters require a formal register. Contractions are considered informal and should generally be avoided in professional correspondence. Instead, writers should use full forms such as "I am," "we have," and "do not."
Q14 15

Question 14: A business letter begins: "Dear Mr. Clarke, I am writing on behalf of Greenfield Ltd to request a quotation for your consulting services." Why does the writer state the purpose in the first sentence?

Question 14 options
In professional correspondence, stating the purpose immediately helps the reader understand the intent of the letter without wasting time. This directness is valued in business writing because it shows respect for the recipient's time and demonstrates clear communication.
Q15 15

Question 15: Choose the best improved version of this weak business letter sentence: "I am writing this letter because I want to tell you that we would like to maybe possibly work with your company on some projects if that is okay with you."

Question 15 options
The improved version eliminates unnecessary hedging ("maybe possibly"), wordiness ("I am writing this letter because I want to tell you that"), and vagueness ("some projects if that is okay"). Professional business letters should be concise, direct, and confident.