Informal Letter Writing MCQs Quiz | Class 9
This quiz is for Class IX students studying Communicative English (Code 101), focusing on the unit of Writing Skills. Test your knowledge on Informal Letter Writing. The questions cover key aspects like the correct format for personal letters, maintaining an appropriate friendly tone, and the effective expression of feelings. Answer all 10 questions and click ‘Submit Quiz’ to see your score. You can then download a PDF of your answers for review.
Understanding Informal Letter Writing
An informal letter, also known as a personal letter, is a type of letter you write to someone you know well, such as friends, family members, or relatives. Unlike formal letters, they have a casual, friendly, and conversational tone. The primary goal is to share personal news, express feelings, or simply stay in touch.
Key Elements of an Informal Letter
Following the correct format is important even in informal writing. It gives your letter a neat structure. Here are the essential components:
- Sender’s Address: This is your address, written at the top left corner of the page.
- Date: The date is written just below the sender’s address.
- Salutation (Greeting): This is a warm greeting to the person you’re writing to. Examples include “Dear [Name],” “Dearest [Name],” or “Hi [Name],”.
- Body: This is the main part of the letter where you write your message. It’s usually divided into 2-3 paragraphs. The first paragraph is introductory, the middle paragraph contains the main details, and the final paragraph concludes your message.
- Complimentary Close (Subscription): This is a polite and warm way to end the letter. Examples: “With lots of love,” “Yours lovingly,” “Best wishes,”.
- Sender’s Name: Your first name is written below the complimentary close.
Tone and Expression of Feelings
The beauty of an informal letter lies in its tone. It should feel like you are having a conversation with the person.
- Be Conversational: Use simple, everyday language. You can use contractions like “I’m” or “don’t.”
- Be Personal: Refer to shared memories, ask personal questions, and show genuine interest in the other person’s life.
- Be Expressive: Don’t be afraid to share your feelings. Whether you are happy, sad, excited, or grateful, your letter is the perfect place to express these emotions sincerely. Instead of just stating “I was happy,” try describing why you were happy, e.g., “I was over the moon when I heard the news and couldn’t stop smiling all day!”
| Feature | Informal Letter | Formal Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Friends, family, relatives | Officials, business contacts, authorities |
| Purpose | Personal communication, sharing news | Official business, applications, complaints |
| Tone | Friendly, personal, emotional | Professional, objective, respectful |
| Format | Flexible, no subject line | Strict, includes subject line and recipient’s address |
| Closing | “With love,” “Best wishes,” | “Yours sincerely,” “Yours faithfully,” |
Quick Revision Checklist
- ✓ Start with your address and the date on the top left.
- ✓ Use a friendly and appropriate salutation.
- ✓ Keep the language simple, personal, and conversational.
- ✓ Organize your thoughts into clear paragraphs in the body.
- ✓ Use a warm and suitable complimentary close.
- ✓ Sign off with your first name.
- ✓ A subject line is not required.
Practice Questions
- You are writing to your grandfather to thank him for a birthday gift. What would be an appropriate opening sentence for the body of the letter?
- Draft a suitable closing for a letter to your friend congratulating them on winning a competition.
- Why is it important to mention the date in an informal letter?
- Imagine you are describing your recent school trip. What kind of descriptive language would you use to make the letter engaging?
- Is it acceptable to use slang or abbreviations (like ‘LOL’ or ‘BTW’) in an informal letter? Explain your reasoning.
