Chapter 4: Letter Writing - Practice worksheet with complete answer key
According to your class and board
- Board: ICSE
- Class/Year: 10
- Subject: English Language
- Book + Publisher: ICSE English Language (various)
- Chapter: Letter Writing – Formal & Informal
- Difficulty: Standard
- Goal: Practice
A1. What is the difference between a formal and an informal letter?
A2. Where do you write the sender's address in a formal letter?
A3. What salutation is used when writing to an unnamed authority (e.g., "The Editor")?
A4. How should a formal letter end if it begins with "Dear Sir/Madam"?
A5. Name two types of formal letters commonly asked in ICSE exams.
B1. List the parts of a formal letter in the correct order.
B2. What tone should be used in a letter to a newspaper editor about a social issue?
B3. Rewrite the following sentence in formal tone: "The roads are super bad and no one is doing anything about it."
B4. What is the purpose of a 'subject line' in a formal letter?
B5. In an informal letter, is it acceptable to use contractions (e.g., "I'm", "don't")? Why?
B6. What is the correct way to write the date in a formal letter?
B7. Write an appropriate opening line for a letter to the Municipal Commissioner about water scarcity.
B8. What is the difference between 'Yours faithfully' and 'Yours sincerely'?
B9. Name three occasions when you would write an informal letter.
B10. How many paragraphs should the body of a formal letter typically contain? What should each cover?
C1. Write the opening and closing paragraphs of a letter to the Principal requesting permission to organise a science exhibition.
C2. Draft a subject line and opening paragraph for a letter to the Editor about increasing pollution in your city.
C3. You received a birthday gift from your cousin in another city. Write the opening and a thank-you paragraph for an informal letter.
C4. Your school library lacks recent publications. Draft the body paragraph of a formal letter to the librarian suggesting new books.
C5. Convert this informal sentence to a formal letter style: "Hey! Just wanted to tell you that the park near our house is turning into a garbage dump and it stinks."
C6. Write a suitable closing paragraph for a complaint letter to a shopkeeper about a defective product.
C7. Draft the body of an informal letter to a friend describing your experience at a school cultural fest.
C8. Your locality has frequent power cuts. Write the complete body (2 paragraphs) of a letter to the Electricity Board.
D1. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper highlighting the problem of stray animals in your area and suggesting measures to deal with the issue. (Full letter – 150–200 words) (3 marks)
D2. Write a letter to your friend inviting him/her to spend the summer vacation at your hometown. Describe the activities you have planned. (Full letter – 150–200 words) (3 marks)
D3. Write a letter to the Principal of your school requesting a change in the school bus route, giving valid reasons. (Full letter – 150–200 words) (3 marks)
D4. Write a letter to a shopkeeper complaining about a defective electronic gadget you recently purchased. Mention the product details and what action you expect. (Full letter – 150–200 words) (3 marks)
D5. Write a short letter to your grandmother thanking her for the home-made sweets she sent for Diwali. (100–120 words) (2 marks)
E1. A student writes "Dear Principal" and ends with "Yours faithfully." Is this format correct?
E2. In an ICSE exam, a student writes the receiver's address in an informal letter. Is this required?
A1. Formal letters are written for official/professional purposes (to authorities, organisations) with a structured format and formal tone. Informal letters are personal, written to friends/family with a conversational tone.
A2. Top left corner of the letter (or top right, depending on the format followed).
A3. "Dear Sir/Madam" or "Respected Sir/Madam."
A4. "Yours faithfully" (since the recipient is not addressed by name).
A5. Letter to the Editor, letter to a government authority / Principal / shopkeeper (complaint letter).
B1. Sender's address → Date → Receiver's address → Subject → Salutation → Body (introduction, main content, conclusion) → Closing → Signature.
B2. Formal, objective, and persuasive — facts should be presented clearly without emotional language.
B3. "The condition of roads in our locality has deteriorated significantly, and no remedial action has been taken by the concerned authorities."
B4. The subject line states the purpose of the letter briefly, helping the reader understand the topic at a glance.
B5. Yes, contractions are acceptable in informal letters as they reflect a natural, conversational tone.
B6. Full format: 15th March, 2026 (or March 15, 2026). Avoid abbreviations like 15/03/26 in formal letters.
B7. "I am writing to bring to your kind attention the acute water scarcity being faced by the residents of [locality name] for the past several weeks."
B8. "Yours faithfully" is used when the letter begins with "Dear Sir/Madam" (recipient unknown). "Yours sincerely" is used when the recipient is addressed by name (e.g., "Dear Mr. Sharma").
B9. Writing to a friend about holidays, thanking a relative for a gift, sharing news with a family member.
B10. Typically 3 paragraphs: (i) Introduction — state the purpose (ii) Body — elaborate with details/reasons (iii) Conclusion — request action or express expectation.
C1. Opening: "I am writing on behalf of the Science Club of our school to request your kind permission to organise a Science Exhibition on the school premises during the second week of February." Closing: "I sincerely hope you will consider our request favourably. We assure you that all arrangements will be managed responsibly. Thanking you."
C2. Subject: Rising Pollution Levels in [City Name]. Opening: "Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the public and the concerned authorities to the alarming increase in air and water pollution in our city."
C3. Opening: "How are you? I was so happy to receive your parcel on my birthday!" Thank-you: "The book you sent is exactly what I had been wanting to read! It was so thoughtful of you to remember my interest in mystery novels. I have already finished three chapters and I'm hooked!"
C4. "I would like to suggest that the library procure recent publications in the fields of science, technology, and contemporary literature. Many students have expressed a need for updated reference books for competitive exam preparation. Additionally, adding popular science magazines such as 'National Geographic' and 'Science Reporter' would encourage reading habits among students."
C5. "I am writing to bring to your notice that the public park situated near our residential area has become a dumping ground for garbage. The accumulation of waste has led to foul odours, creating an unhygienic environment for the residents."
C6. "I request you to either replace the defective product with a new one or provide a full refund at the earliest. Kindly look into this matter promptly, failing which I shall be compelled to approach the Consumer Forum. I hope for a swift resolution."
C7. "You should have been there! The cultural fest was absolutely amazing. Our class performed a skit on environmental awareness and guess what — we won the second prize! The best part was the music show in the evening. The school band played some incredible songs and everyone was dancing."
C8. Para 1: "I am writing to bring to your notice the frequent and prolonged power cuts experienced in [locality] over the past month. The electricity supply is disrupted for 4-5 hours daily, particularly during evening hours, causing immense inconvenience to residents." Para 2: "Students are unable to study, household appliances are getting damaged due to voltage fluctuations, and elderly residents are suffering in the heat. I request you to investigate the cause and restore uninterrupted power supply at the earliest."
D1. [Full letter format with sender's address, date, Editor's address, subject line, 3-paragraph body discussing: stray animal menace, specific incidents, suggested measures like sterilisation drives, animal shelters, public awareness. Signed off with Yours faithfully.]
D2. [Informal format with address, date, Dear [Name], enthusiastic tone, description of planned activities: visiting grandparents' farm, swimming in the river, local fair, cricket matches. Warm closing.]
D3. [Formal format to Principal, explaining current bus route is inconvenient due to route change, construction, or safety issues. Suggest alternative route with reasons. Polite request for consideration.]
D4. [Formal complaint with product details (name, model, purchase date, bill number), nature of defect, steps already taken, expected resolution (replacement/refund), deadline. Professional tone.]
D5. [Short informal letter: warm greeting, thanks for sweets, specific mention of favourite sweet, family enjoyed them, express wish to visit soon, love and regards.]
E1. If the student wrote "Dear Principal" (without a name), then "Yours faithfully" is acceptable. However, if they wrote "Dear Mrs. Sharma" (Principal's name), then "Yours sincerely" should be used. The format depends on whether the recipient is named or not. — Why students get this wrong: They memorise one closing and use it regardless of the salutation, not understanding the faithfully/sincerely rule.
E2. No. In an informal letter, the receiver's address is NOT written. Only the sender's address and date are required at the top. Writing the receiver's address is a format error for informal letters. — Why students get this wrong: They mix up formal and informal letter formats, applying all formal elements to informal letters out of habit.