Cambridge letter 2

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5,6

Cambridge letters: Form

salutation

closing

paragraphs

comment on the next letters with respect to form

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Tops:

Closing is correct

Tips:

Salutation: use capitals for Sir/Madam

Paragraphs: use at least three

Word count: Each Cambridge assignment should contain 220-260 words (I didn't mention this)

(By the way: I hope your email helps you - will help you)

Comment on this form

Tops:

Paragraphs

Tips:

Salutation: no name has been given in the assignment, don't make one up. Use Sir/Madam.

Closing is not correct: Yours sincerely, (NB:  NOT 'yours truly' or any other formulations)

Date, address. etc.: not necessary for Cambridge letters

Here's a good one:

Note: in English it's no problem to start with 'I'.

Now about the form of your own letter. Did you do it correctly?

1. Yes, completely
2. Only one mistake
3. No, more than one mistake

If you haven't started taking notes yet: DO take notes!

Compare these openings:

Both sentences are too informal and both miss

Note: The position of being a tour guide

             The position of tour guide

Opening 1:

tops:

first sentence (a.o. use of passive).

tips:

content: sentence 2 is (nearly) superfluous and makes it too informal 

register: avoid contractions (she's)

language: fond of (rather hopes to)

points for content.

Opening 2:

tops:

straightforward

tips:

content: 'writing about' is too vague. Also mention why you know enough about him to write a reference.

register:  too informal: comrade sounds like buddy,  mate. Use colleague or friend.

An example of a good opening!

Tip: She recently applied for a job as a tour guide at your company.

Which closing would earn more points and why, 1 or 2?

Both sentences are correct, but there

Ending 1:

tops:

language: great vocabulary and grammar

content: relevant and straightforward

register: formal

is a difference in level.

Ending 2:

tops:

straightforward

tips:

content: the last sentence is rather superfluous

register:  might be more formal

language: basic level (apart from 'provided with', which is great!)

Some mistakes from your letters

Improve them. Do so within 20 seconds.

Say what's wrong:
I am writing regarding your request for a reference.

Improve (about the fact her friend already has some experience):
Some time ago, she worked for a museum, where she was also a tour guide.

Which word is incorrect?
She already has some experience as a tour guide since she was a tour guide in Beacon Hills for a year.

Improve:
Multiple summers he worked part-time as a tour guide in different cities.

Which word is incorrect?:
She can speak Dutch as fluent as she speaks English.

Improve (about working as a tour-guide):
'Abby would passionately like to explain about the places.'

Which word is incorrect?
He has done a lot of research on this topic and has come to know a lot of interesting facts, that would be helpful whilst giving his tour.

Which word is incorrect?
She has the talent for making people feel at ease and excited at the same time.

Only the 2nd sentence: which word is incorrect?

(Tom is proficient in three different languages: English, German and French, furthermore he is learning Mandarin.) He compliments this skill with his extensive knowledge of the history and geography of York.

Finally: improve the second sentence. (3 mistakes)

(Not only do her qualities and experiences match the job, she also knows several employees of your company already.) This matter enables her to adjust quickly to the work environments.

Now check a classmate's letter

-Use the checklist in Som

-If you work at home: check the work of the person who normally sits next to you (ask him/her to send it by email)

-If this is not available, choose a report attached in Som

-Give feedback

-Learn from each other's strong and weak points