General Training Writing Task 1
5. Letter to Editor (Formal)
Your city government wants to turn the city centre into a pedestrian only area. You have decided to write a letter to your local newspaper editor.
In your letter you should say:
why you are writing
if you agree or disagree with the government’s decision
why it is a good/ bad idea for the city
Model Answer:
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am writing to bring your attention to the government’s plans to make the centre of the city into a pedestrian only area. I recently heard about the decision from a friend who owns a small business in the city centre. As her business specialises in selling car audio equipment, you can imagine how unhappy she was to discover that customers will not be able to come to her shop in their cars.
Many other businesses in the centre of town will be negatively affected by the government’s decision. Unfortunately, the public transport system does not connect the suburbs of the city to the centre of town very effectively, so for most people, the only convenient way to get around town is by car. The government’s plans to pedestrianise the city centre will no doubt lead to a significant decrease in customers for the shops and businesses in this area. This will likely result in shops closing and city residents losing their jobs. While I appreciate the need to reduce congestion and vehicle exhaust emissions in the city centre, this plan is not the solution.
I would greatly appreciate it if your paper would draw attention to this matter. I look forward to reading about it in a future edition.
Yours faithfully,
Ian Hartsfield
Useful Phrases:
Introduction:
I am writing to bring your attention to...
I recently heard about the decision from...
you can imagine how unhappy she was to discover that...
Discussing pros & cons (formal):
...will be negatively affected by...
...will lead to a significant decrease in...
This will likely result in...
Ending:
I would greatly appreciate it if...
I look forward to reading about it in a future edition.