Letter-writing — Writing Skills
This CBSE English Passage Assessment will be based on: Letter-writing — Writing Skills
Assessment Format:
• 2 Short Answer Questions (2 marks each) = 4 marks
• 2 Fill in the Blanks Questions (1 mark each) = 2 marks
• 2 Short Answer Questions (1 mark each) = 2 marks
• 2 Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each) = 2 marks
Total: 8 Questions, 10 Marks
This CBSE English Grammar Assessment will be based on: Letter-writing — Writing Skills
Assessment Format:
• 10 Randomized Grammar Questions (1 mark each)
• Question Types: Fill in the Blanks, MCQs, Error Identification, Reported Speech, Sentence Completion
Total: 10 Questions, 10 Marks
This English Vocabulary assessment will be based on: Letter-writing — Writing Skills
Targeting Vocabulary & Usage with Intermediate difficulty.
✍ Before You Begin — Activate Prior Knowledge
Letter-writing is a foundational skill for formal communication. These questions help you think about register, purpose, and format before studying the forms.
1. Think of the last time you communicated something important in writing — a message, a request, or a complaint. What determined the tone and language you used? How would that change if you were writing to a government official versus a close friend?
2. Notice these terms — infer their meaning: salutation, complimentary close, subject line, enclosure, addressee, register.
3. What is the difference between "Yours faithfully" and "Yours sincerely" as letter closings? Before reading, predict when each is used.
4. Contextual inference: A student writes to the editor of a newspaper about the problem of plastic pollution on school campuses. Is this a formal or informal letter? What tone — emotional or analytical — would be most effective?
Letter-writing — Types Map
Classification of Letters — Formal & Informal
Formal vs Informal — At a Glance
Key Differences Between Formal and Informal Letters
| Feature | Formal Letter | Informal Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Sender's address | Top right corner | Top right corner |
| Date | Below sender's address | Below sender's address |
| Recipient's address | Left side, below date | Not required |
| Subject line | Required — bold/underlined | Not used |
| Salutation | Dear Sir / Dear Madam / Dear Mr [Name] | Dear [First name] / My dear [Name] |
| Tone | Formal, objective, polite | Warm, conversational, personal |
| Contractions | Not used (do not = do not) | Allowed (don't, I've, we're) |
| Paragraphs | Introduction, Body, Conclusion — each distinct | Flexible; personal flow |
| Complimentary close | Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely | Yours lovingly / Yours affectionately / Best wishes |
| Signature | Full name (printed below signature) | First name or nickname |
Formal Letter — Format Guide
[City] – [PIN Code]
[State]
[Name of Newspaper]
[City] – [PIN Code]
[Para 1 — Introduction: state purpose clearly]
[Para 2 — Body: explain issue with specific details]
[Para 3 — Conclusion: request action or express hope]
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
[Full Printed Name]
▶ Use "Yours faithfully" when you do NOT know the recipient's name ("Dear Sir/Madam"). Use "Yours sincerely" when you DO know their name ("Dear Mr Sharma"). No contractions in body. Each paragraph has one clear purpose.
Sample Formal Letter — To the Editor
New Delhi – 110 029
Delhi
New Delhi – 110 001
I am writing to draw your attention — and through your esteemed publication, the attention of relevant authorities — to the alarming accumulation of single-use plastic on school campuses across the city. As a student of Class 11, I witness this problem daily and believe it warrants urgent public discussion.
Despite a national ban on certain categories of single-use plastic, canteen counters in numerous schools continue to dispense food in polythene bags and drinks in plastic sachets. These items are rarely disposed of in designated bins; instead, they find their way to drains, corridors, and open grounds. The consequences extend beyond aesthetics — clogged drains during the monsoon, contamination of the soil, and the setting of a deeply harmful example for younger students who are still forming their environmental habits.
I urge the concerned school authorities and the Municipal Corporation to enforce existing regulations rigorously, install adequate segregated waste bins on campuses, and introduce mandatory eco-literacy programmes. The responsibility of building a sustainable future cannot rest with government alone; it must begin in our classrooms and corridors. I hope this letter prompts the action these campuses urgently need.
Student, Class XI
Informal Letter — Format Guide
New Delhi – 110 029
14 April 2026
[Middle — the main purpose: sharing news, seeking advice, describing an experience]
[Closing — send regards; mention next contact; warm farewell]
[First name only]
▶ No recipient's address. No subject line. Contractions are natural and encouraged. Tone is warm, conversational, personal. The letter can use rhetorical questions, exclamations, and colloquial expressions. Word limit for Class 11: 150–200 words.
Sample Informal Letter — To a Friend
Dehradun – 248 001
Uttarakhand
How are you? I hope your exams went well and that you're enjoying a well-deserved break. I've been meaning to write for weeks, but honestly, our school's annual science exhibition consumed every evening!
I wanted to tell you about something that happened last month that I think you'd find fascinating. Our school organised a visit to the bird sanctuary at Bharatpur. I didn't expect to be moved by it — you know how I am about early mornings — but when we reached the wetlands at dawn and heard the collective sound of thousands of birds, I was genuinely spellbound. We spotted a painted stork, a Siberian crane, and — I can barely believe it — a greater flamingo. Our biology teacher said flamingos in Bharatpur are rare; apparently their numbers have been declining due to habitat loss. It made me think about everything we're doing to the natural world, and I came back with a dozen questions I don't have answers to.
Are you planning to visit Delhi this summer? I'd love to drag you to the Sultanpur wetlands nearby. Write soon!
Key Terms — Letter-writing Vocabulary
Academic & Letter-writing Vocabulary
Expression Grid — Formal & Informal Phrases
Writing Practice — Letter Tasks
Task 1: Formal Letter — Complaint to Municipal Authority
Bengaluru – 560 029
Karnataka
N.R. Square, Bengaluru – 560 002
I am Rohan Mehta, a resident of Green Park, Bengaluru, and I write to bring to your attention the severe waterlogging that afflicts our locality every monsoon season. Despite previous complaints to ward-level officials, no remedial action has been undertaken.
The inadequate drainage infrastructure in our area causes floodwater to remain stagnant for up to three days after rainfall, making roads impassable and rendering the locality a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Several residents, particularly the elderly and children, have suffered from waterborne illnesses as a result. Vehicles and property have also sustained damage due to inundation.
I respectfully request that your office arrange for an immediate inspection of the drainage system, desilting of all blocked drains, and resurfacing of the most severely damaged roads before the onset of the next monsoon. Prompt action will spare residents considerable hardship and reflect well on the civic administration's commitment to public welfare. I look forward to a response at the earliest.
Task 2: Informal Letter — Describing a Visit to a Wildlife Sanctuary
Thrissur – 680 001
Kerala
Greetings from Kerala, where it's impossibly green and the mangoes are better than anything Pune can offer — don't argue! I'm spending two weeks with my grandparents and, last Saturday, we visited the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. I had to write and tell you about it immediately.
We woke at four in the morning — yes, four — and drove into the forest at dawn in an open jeep. The silence was extraordinary; I could hear my own breathing. Then, without warning, our guide pointed to the treeline and there was a gaur — a wild bison — enormous and calm, watching us as if we were the oddities, not him. Later we spotted a family of elephants at the river. I've seen elephants in zoos, but nothing prepared me for the way a wild elephant moves. I came back feeling something I can only describe as humility.
It made me think — how much are we losing without even noticing? You absolutely must come here before we both lose the chance. Write soon!
Assessment Rubric — Letter-writing
CBSE Marking Criteria (8 marks)
| Criterion | Marks | Descriptors |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 2 | Correct placement of addresses, date, salutation, subject line (formal), complimentary close, and name; no missing components |
| Content | 3 | All required points covered; paragraphs logically divided (intro, body, conclusion); specific details provided; purpose clear from first paragraph |
| Expression & Register | 2 | Appropriate register maintained throughout (formal/informal); suitable phrases used; tone consistent; no register mixing |
| Accuracy | 1 | Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation; no contractions in formal letters; appropriate vocabulary for level |
CBQ — Extract-Based Questions
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Note: This paragraph establishes identity (Convenor), states purpose clearly, provides specific details (dates, event types), and frames the request in terms of the school's values — all hallmarks of an effective formal letter opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Letter-writing — Writing Skills about in NCERT English?
Letter-writing — Writing Skills is a lesson from the NCERT English textbook that covers important literary and language concepts. The lesson includes vocabulary, literary devices, comprehension exercises, and writing tasks aligned to the CBSE curriculum.
What vocabulary is important in Letter-writing — Writing Skills?
Key vocabulary words from Letter-writing — Writing Skills are highlighted throughout with contextual meanings, usage examples, and interesting facts. Click any highlighted word to see its full definition and example sentence.
What literary devices are used in Letter-writing — Writing Skills?
Letter-writing — Writing Skills uses various literary devices including imagery, symbolism, and figurative language. These are identified with coloured tags throughout the text for easy recognition and understanding by students.
What exercises are included for Letter-writing — Writing Skills?
Exercises include extract-based comprehension questions in CBSE board exam format, grammar workshops connected to the passage, vocabulary activities, and creative writing tasks with model answers provided.
How does Letter-writing — Writing Skills help in board exam preparation?
Letter-writing — Writing Skills includes CBSE-format extract-based questions, long answer practice with model responses, and grammar exercises that mirror board exam patterns. All questions follow Bloom's Taxonomy levels L1-L6.