Ask clearly for the information or action you need.
End politely. Check names, dates and contact details.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
Please send the class times.
Moderate / Add a little
Could you please send me the class timetable?
Challenge / Try when ready
I would appreciate details of the course dates and the application process.
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A formal letter communicates a specific purpose to a person or organisation. State the matter early, provide the facts needed to understand it, and explain the action you request. Organise related information in separate paragraphs. The greeting and closing should suit whether the recipient is named. A professional tone is courteous and precise, even when making a complaint or disagreeing.
Support a complaint with what happened, when it happened and its practical effect, rather than exaggerated accusations. A request should be reasonable and easy to identify. Use the format specified by the task or institution, and check addresses and dates carefully. In exam writing, do not spend so much space on formatting that the required content becomes incomplete. Edit for clarity, accurate verb forms and a respectful relationship with the reader.
Use this General English lesson to make communication more independent and precise. Compare alternative ways of expressing a point and select the one which preserves its meaning. In source-based work, keep a claim separate from the evidence or qualification supporting it.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
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A chart description reports the important patterns in visual information.
Start by identifying the subject, group, time and unit.
Select the largest or smallest categories, clear comparisons and any major trend.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
The largest category matters only when its label and unit are correctly identified.
Moderate / Add a little
A chart can describe a change without explaining its cause.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
A chart description reports the important patterns in visual information. Start by identifying the subject, group, time and unit. Select the largest or smallest categories, clear comparisons and any major trend. Use exact figures when they support a point, but do not list every number without organising it. A static comparison and a change over time need different language.
Distinguish a percentage from a percentage-point difference. If a value rises from 20 percent to 30 percent, the difference is ten percentage points. A chart can show a relationship without proving its cause. Do not invent explanations absent from the task. Use the past tense for finished dates and an appropriate present form for a current table. Check totals and labels before writing so that a fluent paragraph does not report the wrong group.
Use this General English lesson to make communication more independent and precise. Compare alternative ways of expressing a point and select the one which preserves its meaning. In source-based work, keep a claim separate from the evidence or qualification supporting it.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
Practise the whole unit and receive a separate answer or model guide.
End with a sentence that connects to the main idea.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
Reading is useful.
Moderate / Add a little
Reading is useful because it helps us learn new words.
Challenge / Try when ready
Regular reading builds vocabulary; for example, a short story can show how familiar words work in a new context.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
An opinion essay needs a clear answer to the question and reasons that develop it. Begin by defining the issue and position, then organise each body paragraph around a separate reason. Explain how the reason supports the position and include an appropriate example. A fair response can acknowledge a limitation or alternative view without losing its own argument. The conclusion follows from the discussion and does not introduce a major new claim.
Planning prevents repeated ideas and an unfocused middle. Avoid broad unsupported claims such as everybody agrees. A relevant local example can be helpful if it actually illustrates the point rather than replacing explanation. Formal writing generally uses a neutral tone, complete sentences and clear paragraph links. During revision, check whether each paragraph answers the question asked, because accurate grammar cannot rescue a response that addresses a different topic.
Use this General English lesson to make communication more independent and precise. Compare alternative ways of expressing a point and select the one which preserves its meaning. In source-based work, keep a claim separate from the evidence or qualification supporting it.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
Practise the whole unit and receive a separate answer or model guide.
The paid worksheet brings together all the lessons in this unit. A separate answer or model guide is included. Page count depends on the skills and activities.
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