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How To Write A Formal Letter Quiz (Level B1-B2) - Writing Practice

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

Work towards mastering How To Write A Formal Letter with this focused set of 15 exercises. Designed for Level B1-B2 learners, the questions test recognition, application, and common pitfalls. Earn XP, track your score, and come back until you can get them all right.

⏱ 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 Mr Thompson,I am writing to inquire about the position advertised on your company website."What is "Dear Mr Thompson" an example of?

Question 1 options
"Dear Mr Thompson" is the salutation of a formal letter. A salutation is the greeting that addresses the recipient before the body of the letter begins.
Q2 15

Question 2: In a formal letter, the closing phrase should be followed by ___

Question 2 options
In formal letter writing, the closing phrase (such as "Sincerely" or "Regards") must always be followed by a comma before the signature appears below.
Q3 15

Question 3: In a formal letter, you should always follow the salutation (e.g., "Dear Ms Carter") with a comma before beginning the body of the letter.

Question 3 options
This is true. Standard formal letter format requires a comma after the salutation, followed by a line break before the body paragraph begins.
Q4 15

Question 4: Which of the following correctly demonstrates the salutation of a formal letter when the recipient's name is unknown?

Question 4 options
"To Whom It May Concern," is the standard formal salutation used when the writer does not know the specific name of the recipient. The other options are either too informal or incorrectly formatted.
Q5 15

Question 5: Match each formal letter component to its correct description.

Question 5 options
Heading
Salutation
Body
Closing
Main message with key information
Greeting that addresses the recipient
Sender's address and date at the top
Sign-off phrase before the signature

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

The heading contains the sender's address and date; the salutation is the greeting; the body holds the main message; the closing is the sign-off phrase before the signature.
Q6 15

Question 6: Which of the following formal letter closings contains a punctuation error?

Question 6 options
"Yours faithfully." is incorrect because a formal letter closing should be followed by a comma, not a full stop. The correct form is "Yours faithfully," followed by the signature below.
Q7 15

Question 7: You are writing a formal complaint letter to a company. Which opening sentence best fits in the blank?"Dear Sir or Madam,___"

Question 7 options
"I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the service I received on 15 March" is the most appropriate opening because it is professional, clearly states the purpose, and includes a specific reference. The other options are either too casual, too vague, or too aggressive in tone.
Q8 15

Question 8: The following sentence appears in a formal letter:"I would be greatful if you could send me further details about the programme."Which option correctly fixes the error?

Question 8 options
The word "greatful" is a common misspelling. The correct spelling is "grateful." The other options either keep the original error or introduce a new mistake.
Q9 15

Question 9: Arrange the parts of a formal letter in the correct order from top to bottom:

Question 9 options
  • Sender's address and date
  • Closing and signature (e.g., Sincerely, [name])
  • Recipient's name and address
  • Body paragraphs
  • Salutation (e.g., Dear Dr Wilson,)

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

A formal letter follows a standard structure: the sender's address and date appear first (heading), followed by the recipient's address, then the salutation, the body paragraphs, and finally the closing with signature.
Q10 15

Question 10: You are writing a formal letter to a bank requesting a copy of your account statement. Which option is the most appropriate way to make this request?

Question 10 options
"I would be grateful if you could provide me with a copy of my account statement" uses polite, professional language with an appropriate level of formality for a formal letter to a financial institution.
Q11 15

Question 11: What is the difference between using "Dear Mr Harris," and "To Whom It May Concern," as a salutation in a formal letter?

Question 11 options
"Dear Mr Harris" is used when the writer knows the recipient's name and can address them directly, while "To Whom It May Concern" is reserved for situations where the specific recipient is unknown.
Q12 15

Question 12: Which version of the following sentence is most appropriate for a formal letter to a company director?

Question 12 options
"I am writing to request a meeting to discuss the proposed changes to our agreement" uses formal register, professional vocabulary, and a clear, direct tone suitable for business correspondence. The other options are too casual, too vague, or use slang.
Q13 15

Question 13: In a formal letter, it is acceptable to include personal anecdotes if they help make the letter more engaging for the reader.

Question 13 options
This is false. Formal letters should avoid personal anecdotes and off-topic information unless the personal details are directly pertinent to the matter being discussed. Keeping content on topic is a key rule of formal correspondence.
Q14 15

Question 14: Why is it important to include a short introductory paragraph at the beginning of a formal letter's body?

Question 14 options
The introductory paragraph outlines the main purpose and key points of the letter so the reader immediately understands the reason for the correspondence. This helps create a clear and organised structure.
Q15 15

Question 15: Read the following paragraph from a formal letter:"I am writing regarding the invoice dated 10 January. Anyway, I noticed there seems to be an error in the total amount charged. Could you please review this and get back to me?"Which is the best improved version of this paragraph?

Question 15 options
The word "Anyway" is too informal for a formal letter and should be replaced with a more professional transition. "Upon reviewing the document" is more formal and directly connects the ideas. The improved version also maintains a consistently professional tone throughout.