Informal Letters, Previous Years' Questions

INFORMAL LETTERS

·        Dos & Don’ts

1.         Use informal language

2.         Avoid subject & receiver’s address

3.         Good language

1.      Write a letter to your brother dissuading him from resorting to unfair means.

22, Mansarovar Nagar

Jaipur

1^st March 2016

Dear Amit

Hi!

Congratulations on your clearing Class XII with very good marks. But my happiness for your success is mixed with doubt and sorrow because I have come to know that that you use unfair means in exams to score good marks. This is really very unfortunate for us after all the medals our father has got for his honesty. You must understand that dishonest and unlawful practices ultimately lead you into trouble. Only good and honest habits stand by you through all your thick and thin and help you bring laurels to yourself, home and society. There are a lot of such examples before you.

Moreover, the dishonest practices don’t provide you concrete knowledge and so it doesn’t last long. The success achieved thus gives you only transitory pleasure which later turns into frustration and disappointment. Apart from this, the fact cannot be denied that to pass higher and competitive exams one needs substantial knowledge. Copying is in fact a slur on the fair name of education.

I hope now you won’t indulge in unfair practices to get good marks rather you will work hard and prove your intelligence in a proper manner.

Looking forwards to your reply.

Yours affectionately

***

2.   Your friend Mukesh has met with an accident and is in a hospital now. Write a letter to him expressing your concern and sympathy for him.

22, Mansarovar Nagar

Jaipur

1^st March, 2016

Dear Mukesh

I hope this letter finds you in much better health and spirits. I came to know about your accident through my uncle who lives next door to your house.

I was quite shocked when I heard this because you have always been a law-abiding and a sensible person. I was sure it couldn’t be your mistake and my uncle told me that it was the mistake of the person who was coming from opposite direction.

I feel quite relieved that you are now out of danger and thank God that you have got another lease of life. You know, Mukesh, that joys and sorrows are part of our life and they move in a cyclic form; one following the other. You have had the sorrows of your side so now it is the turn of joys. Don’t worry about your studies; health is more important than studies. Moreover, a brilliant boy like you can make up the loss any time you wish.

Take care. My wishes are always with you.

Your loving friend

***     

3.   Suppose yourself to be Pawan residing in the hostel of Don Bosco School, Pune. Write a letter to your father informing about your studies and requesting him to send you some money.

      Don Bosco Hostel

      Pune

      1^stOctober, 2016

      Dear Dad

      I received your letter two days ago but couldn’t write to you at once because of a great load of assignments.

      I am happy to know that all are hale and hearty there. I am also perfectly healthy and happy here. You will be glad to know that I have fared very well in my SA I exam. The result is out now and I have scored more than 90% marks in all subjects. Not only that I am first in the class. My teachers are quite happy with my performance and are always ready to help me.

      As you know Dad, it is October and the third installment of the fee is to be deposited now, please deposit the amount in my account so that I can withdraw that from here. Moreover, I need some books and winter clothes as well so I need more money. I hope, you won’t have much difficulty in sending the amount.

      Convey my love to Anu. I believe, she will be doing extremely well with her studies. Regards to Mom!

      Yours loving son

      ***

4.   Write a letter of condolence to your friend who has lost his mother.

22, Mansarovar Nagar

Jaipur

1^st March, 2016

Dear …

Yesterday I met one of our common friends, Prabhat, who told me that you have lost your mother. I was shocked beyond words to hear about the sad and untimely demise of your mother. It was a bolt out of blue to me as well.

She was just 50 and it is not an age to die. Moreover, she was quite healthy when I last met her. But what we can do. We are just puppets in the hands of Almighty and when he pulls the thread we must leave. You must accept this fact of life. This is the law of this mortal world.

This is a great loss to you and your family and even for us because she was such a great character. Everybody liked her because of her qualities of head and heart. She loved me like her own son. Her loving personality can never vanish from my heart.

You should bear this loss with patience and courage. Take it just as another phase in your life and help your father and brother also to pass this phase calmly. Time is a great healer and it will surely heal your wounds in due course of time. My sympathies are with you.

May her soul rest in peace!

Yours ever

***

PREVIOUS YEARS’ QUESTIONS

(2019)   Kerala was badly hit by floods due to heavy rains. Even today the victims are suffereing financially, physically and mentally. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the editor, The Times of Kerala giving details of the loss of life and property. Also make an appeal to the people and the government to provide help and relief to the afflicted. You are Varun/ Vandana, 31 Shastri Nagar, Trichi.                                                                                                 (6 Marks)
                                                                               Or
          You are Shobha/ Sushil from 56, A Block, Saket, Agra. Write an application along with a personal resume in 120 - 150 words in response to the following advertisement:

Wanted                An experienced hockey coach having B. P. Ed. Degree for our school. Apply to the Princiipal, Agrasen Public School, Agra by 15th March, 2019.

(2018)   You are Neeraj/ Neeraja Shekhar, Vasant Public School, Pune. Your school has just started a music department. Write a letter to the Manager, Melody House, Pune, wholesale supplier of musical instruments, placing an order for the musical instruments for the school. Ask for a discount on the catalogue prices (120-150 words).                                                    (6 Marks)

Or

              Bal Vidyalaya Public School requires a PGT to teach Political Science for which they have placed an advertisement in The Bhilai Express. You are Sanjay/ Sanjana Sharma from 21, Vasant Marg, Bhilai. Draft a letter including the CV applying for the advertised post.

(2017)    In our society we do not give our women the respect and status that they deserve. Women are stared at, stalked and even molested. We need to change the male mindset about women. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the editor of a national newspaper giving your views on the problem. You are Omar/ Amna, A 114, Mall Road, Delhi.                                 (6 Marks)

Or

              You want to spend a week-long holiday in Shimla in the month of October. You have decided to stay at hotel Snowview. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the manager to book a room. Mention the dates, facilities in the room, food, sight-seeing facilities etc. you will need. You are Amar/ Amrita, M114, Lake Road, Karnal.

(2016)    Along with air and water pollution, our cities are also under an attack of noise pollution. Marriage processions, DJs during wedding reception, loud music from neighbourhood flats are sources of noise which is not good for the old, ailing and the students. Write a letter in  120- 150 words to the editor of a local newspaper describing the problem and making a request to the concerned authorities to solve it. You are Karan/ Karuna, 114, Mall Road, Delhi.                                                                                                                          (6 Marks)

(2015)    You are Navtej/Navita, Secretary, Environment Club, Akash Public School, Agra. You, along with a group of students, went on a 3-day tour through Corbett National Park. You found how the tourists abuse the available facilities and thus endanger the environment. Write a letter in 120 - 150 words to the editor of a national daily highlighting the situation. Suggest ways through which the environment of the Park can be saved.

OR

              On Teacher's Day, you read in a newspaper that privately owned and managed schools in small towns or even in the suburbs of metropolitan cities exploit their teachers by paying them just a fraction of their authorised salaries. This affects their performance in the classroom and thus the lives of their students. Write a letter in 120 - 150 words to the editor of a national daily raising your voice against such exploitation. Suggest ways to solve this problem. You are Navtej/Navita, 112 Taj Road, Agra.                                           [6 Marks]

(2014)    You are Arman/Arpita of 14, MG Road, Pune. You had bought the text book, 'Vistas' for Class XII from a neighbourhood bookstore. After browsing through the book, you realized that a few pages were missing and the print overlapped on a few pages. Write a complaint letter in 125-150 words to the Manager, Dawn Books, Lawrence Road, Chennai requesting him for a replacement or refund.         [Set 3]

OR

              You had bought an expensive wrist watch last week. Now you realize that it is not functioning properly. Write a letter in 125-150 words to the Manager, Edison what Works, New Delhi, complaining about it and requesting him to repair or replace it immediately. You are Gobind/Gopa of 68, Park Street, Kolkata.                                                         [10 Marks]

(2014)    You are Anand/Arti of 14, Model Town, Delhi. You have seen an advertisement in The Hindu for the post of Chief Chef in a 5-Star Hotel. Apply for the job with complete biodata. Write in 125-150 words.                                                                            [Set 2]

OR

              You are Prem/Parul of 16, TT Nagar, Bhopal. You would like to apply for the post of Marketing Manager in a reputed firm in Mumbai. Write a letter to the Public Relations Officer, Chantac Enterprises, Mumbai, applying for the job. Write the letter in 125-150 words giving your biodata.                                                                                      [10 Marks]

(201 3)   Write a letter to your cousin, Raj Prakash who is currently staying at Dubai explaining the process of CCE being used by the CBSE for the Secondary School Examination in its affiliated schools Also mention how you and your classmates have reacted to this scheme. You are Narain/Nisha, 20 Fort Road,Mumbai.

OR

              Recently you travelled from Bangalore city to Vasco in Vasco Express. To your dismay, you found that the coach was infested with cockroaches. Write a letter to the Editor, 'The Hindu' drawing the attention of the General Manager, Southern Railways, to the prevailing unhygienic conditions and asking for remedial action. You are Saroj/Saran, 5/31 Bangalore Cantt., Bangalore.                                                                                                    [10 Marks]

(2012)    Youare Pritam / Priti, 27, W.E.A. Karol Bagh, Delhi. You have decided to shift your residence to Faridabad and hence decided to discontinue your membership of Brain Trust Library, Karol Bagh. Write a letter to the Librarian, requesting him to cancel your membership and refund your security deposit of Rs. 5000/- explaining your inability to continue your membership.

OR

              You are Anu /Arun 13, W.E.A, Karol Bagh, New Delhi. You feel very strongly about the ill-treatment meted out to stray dogs at the hands of callous and indifferent people. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily giving your views on why some people behave in such a manner and how these dogs should be treated.                                                  [10 Marks]

(2011)    Write a letter to the Editor, 'Deccan Times', Bangalore about the inadequate parking facilities in the Commercial Street, M.G. Road, which is causing a lot of inconvenience to the people. Offer your suggestions. You are Anoop /Ritu, 24 Hennus Road, Bangalore.          

OR

             Write a letter to the Dean D.P School of Management, Mumbai requesting him to apprise you of the details such as eligibility criteria, fees, hostel facility, prospects of placement etc. for admission to P.G Diploma in HRM. You are Ram /Ramola of 21 Civil Lines Bareily                                                                                                                                                [10 Marks]

(2010)  Write a letter to the Editor, 'The Hindu', Chennai about rash and reckless driving by the people in your city, suggesting preventive measures. You are Kamal / Kanwarof 10, Mount Road, Velacherry.

OR

           You have shifted your residence from 10, Lajpat Road to House No. 232, AurobindoMarg, Delhi. Write a letter to the General Manager, MTNL requesting him for an early transfer of your telephone line. You are Rohit/Radhika of 15, The Mall, Amritsar.                                                                                                                                                                      [10 Marks]

(2009)    As Mr. R. Singh, HOD Chemistry, Cambridge High School, Pune, you had placed an order with Messrs. Scientific Equipments, Dadar, Mumbai for test tubes and jars for thelab. When the parcel was received you observed that markings on the test numbers were not clear and some of the jars were damaged. Write a letter of complaint seeking immediate replacement.                                                                                                                                    [10 Marks]

(2008)   You are the librarian of T.H.S School Kolar. Write a letter to M/S Vikas Publishers. Chennai placing an order for some books for you school library. Mention the details of the books (at least four) and ask for the discount available on the purchase.                                [10 Marks]