AN INFORMAL LETTER (Sample Question and Answer)

Q:Your younger sister, who is studying in a boarding school, has

written to complain that she finds the compulsory co-curricular
activities very tiring. Write a letter to her to explain the benefits
of co-curricular activities.

Use the notes given below to write your letter.

> help you become a better person

> instil discipline
> learn good values - cooperation
> respect for others
> develop leadership skills
> learn to organize activities
> provide opportunities - to develop social skills
> to take part in competitions
> keep you healthy
> get a good testimonial

When writing your letter, remember to include the following:

> your address

> a proper salutation/greeting
> a complimentary close
> use all the notes given above

Sample answer 1

10, Jalan Mega

Minang,
Taman Minang Sari,
68000 Ampang,
Selangor.
7th September 2009

Dear Lina,

It was lovely to hear from you. All of us miss you very much.
Mum and Dad are glad that you are slowly adjusting to life in a
boarding school.
In your letter you complained about the compulsory co-
curricular activities. Well, let me tell you that you can reap many
benefits through active participation in these activities. Firstly, the
various co-curricular activities help you become a better person
(point 1). Participation in uniformed units, clubs and societies,
sports and games will help you discover your talents and develop
your character. You will become a more confident and well-rounded
person. The strict rules and good behaviour expected of you as a
member of a uniformed unit will ____________________ (point 2) in
you. This is important if you are to become a law-abiding citizen.
Besides, you will _______________________ (point 3) through
the various co-curricular activities. You will learn about the
importance of ________________ (point 4) and _________________
(point 5). These values are very important in a multi-racial society
like ours.
You have always said that you admire great leaders like Nelson
Mandela and Abraham Lincoln. Well, co-curricular activities will
certainly help you to __________________________ (point 6). There
will be ample opportunities to enable you to become a good leader.
Besides learning how to plan events, you will _________________
______________ (point 7).Sometimes, you might even have to
handle a challenging situation and this will teach you how to make
on-the-spot decisions.
More importantly, co-curricular activities ___________________
(point 8) to help you ______________________________ (point 9).
As you know, a person with good social skills has an edge these
days. Extra-curricular activities will also provide you
with opportunities to ____________________________ (point 10) at
various levels. Schools usually select their representatives for
competitions at zone, state or national level by looking at their
students performance in school-level competitions.
These activities also ___________________________ (point 11).
Who knows, you might finally shed your baby fat! Most importantly,
you will __________________________________ (point 12) if you
are active in co-curricular activities. This will definitely boost your
chances when applying for a scholarship or a job.
There is no need for you to worry that participation in these
activities will affect your grades. On the contrary, it has been
proven that students who are actively involved usually do well
academically.
I hope you will take the opportunities co-curricular activities
provide to experience new things and discover your strengths.
I have to stop here. I have to study for my trial examination,
which is in two weeks time. Till I hear from you, take care.

Your loving sister,

Shuhada
AN INFORMAL LETTER (Sample Question and Answer)

Q:Your younger sister, who is studying in a boarding school, has

written to complain that she finds the compulsory co-curricular
activities very tiring. Write a letter to her to explain the benefits
of co-curricular activities.

Use the notes given below to write your letter.

> help you become a better person

> instil discipline
> learn good values - cooperation
> respect for others
> develop leadership skills
> learn to organize activities
> provide opportunities - to develop social skills
> to take part in competitions
> keep you healthy
> get a good testimonial

When writing your letter, remember to include the following:

> your address

> a proper salutation/greeting
> a complimentary close
> use all the notes given above

Sample answer 1

10, Jalan Mega

Minang,
Taman Minang Sari,
68000 Ampang,
Selangor.
7th September 2009

Dear Lina,

It was lovely to hear from you. All of us miss you very much.
Mum and Dad are glad that you are slowly adjusting to life in a
boarding school.
In your letter you complained about the compulsory co-
curricular activities. Well, let me tell you that you can reap many
benefits through active participation in these activities. Firstly, the
various co-curricular activities help you become a better person
(point 1). Participation in uniformed units, clubs and societies,
sports and games will help you discover your talents and develop
your character. You will become a more confident and well-rounded
person. The strict rules and good behaviour expected of you as a
member of a uniformed unit will instil discipline (point 2) in you.
This is important if you are to become a law-abiding citizen.

Besides, you will learn good values (point 3) through the

various co-curricular activities. You will learn about the importance
of cooperation (point 4) and respect for others (point 5). These
values are very important in a multi-racial society like ours.
You have always said that you admire great leaders like Nelson
Mandela and Abraham Lincoln. Well, co-curricular activities will
certainly help you to develop leadership skills (point 6). There will
be ample opportunities to enable you to become a good leader.
Besides learning how to plan events, you will learn to organise
activities (point 7).Sometimes, you might even have to handle a
challenging situation and this will teach you how to make on-the-
spot decisions.
More importantly, co-curricular activities provide you with
many opportunities (point 8) to help you develop social skills (point
9). As you know, a person with good social skills has an edge these
days. Extra-curricular activities will also provide you
with opportunities to take part in competitions (point 10) at various
levels. Schools usually select their representatives for
competitions at zone, state or national level by looking at their
students performance in school-level competitions.
These activities also keep you healthy (point 11). Who knows,
you might finally shed your baby fat! Most importantly, you will get
a good testimonial (point 12) if you are active in co-curricular
activities. This will definitely boost your chances when applying for
a scholarship or a job.
There is no need for you to worry that participation in these
activities will affect your grades. On the contrary, it has been
proven that students who are actively involved usually do well
academically.
I hope you will take the opportunities co-curricular activities
provide to experience new things and discover your strengths.
I have to stop here. I have to study for my trial examination,
which is in two weeks time. Till I hear from you, take care.

Your loving sister,

Shuhada