INVITATION word limit – 50 3 marks

MARKING SCHEME

FORMAT 1

CONTENT 1

EXPRESSION 1

TWO TYPES- FORMAL AND INFORMAL

FORMAL – 2 KINDS

1. PRINTED (CARD)

REPLIES –

a. acceptance

b. regret

2 NOT PRINTED (LETTER TYPE)

REPLIES-

a. acceptance.

b. regret

INFORMAL INVITATION

REPLIES-

a. acceptance

b. regret

Man is social by nature. Hence interaction and communication between human beings is quite
natural. In fact, it has become unavoidable. We may share views either orally or in writing.
We hold many social functions such as celebrations of birthday, engagement, wedding, marriage
anniversary; appointment, promotion. Invitations form an important part of social dealings. An
invitation is a request to an individual to come or go somewhere, or to do something.
Invitations can be both formal as well as informal. They can be printed on cards or can be drafted
in the form of social letters
.
Formal invitations can be of two types:

1. Printed invitation cards inviting guests to be present on a particular occasion. Such

invitations do not include the name of the addressee.
2. Formal typed (handwritten) letter addressed to a VIP invited to preside over a social,
cultural and educational function. In these invitations to VIPs the name of the addressee
appears prominently.

Formal invitations are formal and polite, pleasant and courteous.

Informal invitations generally take the shape and form of personal letters. We use these to invite
our friends, relatives and dear ones with whom we have intimate, personal and friendly relations.
In informal invitations the tone and treatment is relaxed, informal and friendly.

1. PRINTED FORMAL INVITATIONS (CARD)

Main Characteristics:

1. A formal invitation is normally a single sentence presentation in third person.(he, she, it,
they)
2. Formal invitations are generally printed invitation cards. We use them to invite guests on
some auspicious occasion like birthdays, weddings, inauguration of shops, houses, etc.

3. Use simple present tense

4. Written in a single sentence; second sentence is added when a chief guest is to be
mentioned
5. Balanced layout, centralize the content – line breaks are important
6. The invitation answers the questions who, whom, when, where, what time and for what,
i.e., put each of the following value points in a separate line
o Names of the hosts extending invitation
o Standard expression –eg, solicit your gracious presence/ cordially invite you/
o seek your gracious presence
o Occasion (highlight)
o Date, time ,venue
o Chief guest and his credentials
o Consent of the chief guest, eg, has kindly consented to grace …….
o R.S.V.P ( Respondez sil vous plait) meaning ‘please reply’ (bottom right hand)
o No signature
 7. The other details include name, designation and address of the organiser, sponsor or host
or the name(s) of the chief guest or special invitees, in case of an official invitation.
8. Printed formal invitations don’t include the name of the addressee.
9. Invitations to VIP to preside over a function do carry the name of VIP prominently.
10. Length as per CBSE guidelines is limited to 50 words.

I. PRINTED FORMAL INVITATIONS

SOLVED QUESTIONS

Question 2
M/s Shyam Lai & Sons are opening a new general store ‘Galaxy Novelties’ in Geetanjali
Enclave, Dwarika, Delhi. The inauguration ceremony is fixed for Sunday, the 19th of October
20XX at 11 a.m. Prepare a draft of formal invitation for the purpose.
Answer:

Qu2
Draft an invitation on behalf of Mr & Mrs Raj Karan of 38, Kamal Kunj, Varanasi, which they
may use to invite their friends and relatives on the 5th birth anniversary of their son Nikhil at
their residence on 28 December 20XX.
Answer:

SAMPLE ANSWER
Your sister Nivedita is going to marry Akhilesh (S/o Mr & Mrs SM. Joshi, Nainital) Your father
Mr K.S. Bhardwaj has planned to hold the wedding at Hotel Kunal, New Delhi on 25 May 20XX
at 8 p.m. Write a formal invitation on behalf of Mr & Mrs K.S. Bhardwaj inviting guests to the
auspicious occasion. Give other details. Do not exceed 50 words.
Answer:

Question 3 (SCHOOL EVENTS)

You are a student of Newton Public School, Nagpur. The school is holding its annual function on
Saturday, the 15th November, 20XX at 11 a.m. The HRD Minister Dr M.M. Joshi has consented
to be the chief guest. Design an invitation card to be sent to the parents and other invitees. Do not
exceed 50 words.
Answer:

Question 5:
You are the Principal of Zodiac Senior Secondary School, Ooty. The school has completed 25
years of its meritorious services to the society. The Silver Jubilee Celebrations are to be held on
Sunday, the 26th October, 20XX. Mrs M. Kamath, the founder Principal will preside. Draft a
suitable invitation to be sent to important dignitaries of the city and the parents of students.
Answer:
FORMAL INVITATION (NOT PRINTED) /(LETTER) WORD LIMIT: 50

FORMAT

Sender’s address

------------

Date

---------

Receiver’s address

---------
Salutation –Sir/Madam

----------

Sub :

--------

Body—what, when (date and time) where, request to confirm the availability by …..date

Subscription-Yours sincerely

Name

Sample answer 2
You are the Director of Apex Orientations, a leading name in postal coaching for competitive
examinations including IIT-JEE and CBSE-PMT. Write letters to the principals of some
prestigious schools inviting the names of two brilliant students from each institution to attend
their Counselling Session free of cost.
Answer:
APEX ORIENTATION
38-A, Old Rohtak Road,
Karol Bagh,
New Delhi-110005
Ph: 25384077, 25381077

25th March, 20XX

The Principal
ABC School
Delhi
Sir/Madam

Sir

Sub: Free Counselling Session

Apex Orientation is a leading name in postal coaching for competitive examinations. We regard
your school as one of the prestigious institutions of Delhi. We shall deem it a personal favour if
you recommend any two of your brilliant students to attend our Career Counselling Session for
IIT-JEE and CBSE-PMT to be held on 10th April, 20XX. The participation will be free of cost.
Kindly send your recommendations by the 7th April.

Yours sincerely
Ritu Nanda
Director

SAMPLE ANSWER - 1
You are Sachin Bansal, the Head Boy of Springdales Public School, Gurgaon. Your school is
holding an inter-school T-20 cricket championship from 2 Oct. to 8 Oct., 20XX. Write a formal
invitation to Sh. B.S. Bedi, the legendary cricketer, to inaugurate the championship on 2 Oct.
20XX at 10 a.m. at your school grounds.
Answer:
Springdales Public School
Gurgaon

25 Sept. 20XX

Sh. B.S. Bedi

2/27 Jorbagh
New Delhi

Sir

Sub: Inauguration of Cricket Championship

Our school is holding an inter-school T-20 cricket championship from 2 Oct. to 8 Oct. 20XX. All
the schools of the area are likely to participate. Your presence in our midst will act as a catalyst
and inspire us. You are requested to inaugurate the championship on 2 Oct. 20XX at 10 a.m. in
our school grounds.
Kindly confirm your availability by 30 Sept.

.
Yours faithfully,
Sachin Bansal
Head Boy

B. INFORMAL INVITATIONS

Main Characteristics:
Informal invitations follow the pattern of ordinary personal letters. These letters are written to
relatives, friends and acquaintances.
 1. These letters are first/second person presentations.
2. Personal feelings and emotions find an expression.
3. The writer’s address is given in the usual place.
4. The salutation is usually “Dear’ plus “Name’.
5. The date of writing is given, but the year is generally omitted.
6. The style and tone are relaxed and informal.
7. Different tenses are used as the sense demands.
8. The complimentary close is: Yours sincerely’.

FORMAT

Sender’s address

-------------

Date

------

Salutation- Dear (name)

Body- what ,when, where

Subscription- Yours sincerely

SAMPLE ANSWER 1

Rohit has got success in CBSE-PMT. He wants to celebrate his admission to Shivaji Medical
College, Nagpur by throwing a party to his friends. Write an informal invitation giving details of
venue, time and date. Do not exceed 50 words.
Answer:
33/427 Priya Vihar
New Delhi

15 July 20XX

Dear Varan

You will be glad to know that I have secured the 80th rank in the CBSE-PMT competition. I
have got admission in a prestigious institution – Shivaji College, Nagpur. I want to share a few
happy moments of my life in the company of my old friends at a dinner in the Hotel Kanishka at
9.00 p.m. on 23 July, 20XX.
Please join the celebrations and merry-making.

Yours sincerely
Rohit

SAMPLE ANSWER - 2
Nikhil has come out successful in the I.I.T Entrance Examination. He has decided to have a party
for his friends. Write out an invitation giving details of venue, time and date. Do not exceed 50
words.
Answer:
D-42, Preet Vihar
New Delhi

10 June 20XX

Dear Pramod

Do join me on 15 June 20XX at 6.00 p.m. at my residence at an intimate party to celebrate my

success in the I.I.T. entrance examination. You will meet a lot of our old friends also.
Looking forward to seeing you

Yours sincerely.
Nikhil

SAMPLE ANSWER - 3
You are Roshan Khera, a resident of Haryana. Invite your friend Hrishit Arora who lives in old
Delhi to spend a part of his summer vacation with you at your farm house near Pinjore.
Answer:
Shivalik Farms
Raj Pura Village
Near Pinjore

25 April, 20XX

Dear Hrishit

I will be returning to my farm house after the examination. I invite you to spend at least a
fortnight with me at my farm house. It is a pollution free place with lots of trees and greenery all
around. The sylvan surroundings will have a refreshing effect on your heart and mind. We shall
also visit Pinjore gardens and Kalka hills. Looking forward to your arrival.

Yours sincerely
Roshan Khera

ASSIGNMENTS

1. You are going on a picnic at the Suraj Kund, near Haryana-Delhi border with a group of
your classmates. Send an informal invitation to your close friend Vipin to join you.
2. Send a formal invitation to Sh. K.B. Vaid, noted novelist and educationist, to speak on
‘The importance of devotion, dedication and discipline’ in Value Education Club of your
school.
3. You are Vijay Ahuja, proprietor of KIDS PLANET, a showroom of children’s goods.
Draft a formal printed invitation to be sent to your patrons, friends and relatives. Give
details such as date, time and venue.
4. On behalf of Mr and Mrs V.K. Mehra, draft a printed invitation card for the marriage of
their daughter Prabha with Mayank (S/o Mr & Mrs L.K. Dhingra of Faridabad). Give
other details such as date, time and venue. (Word limit = 50 words)
5. Your school, Modem School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi is organising its Annual
Sports Day. Draft an invitation to be sent to the parents.
6. Your school, St. Thomas Public School, Meerut, is organising an inter school one-act
play competition. Draft an invitation to famous playwright Vijay Kumar to act as one of
the judges.
7. Agarwal Education Society, Alwar has obtained franchise of Delhi Public School and
intend to start construction of the school building immediately. Draft an invitation of
Bhoomi Pujan’ to be held on 25 August, 20XX.
8. You are the Principal of KM. School, Bhiwani. Write an invitation to the parents and
other important persons of the city to grace the annual function of the school. Sh. K.L.
Ahuja, Education Commissioner has agreed to be the chief guest.
9. Write out a suitable invitation to be sent to the parents of all students inviting them on the
Parents’ Day. You are Principal of ABN School, Bhopal.
10. You are the sports secretary of the Sports Club of Hindu School, Sonipat. Invite the
famous cricketer Kapil Dev to inaugurate the new cricket complex recently built by the
school.
11. M/s Spic and Span are opening a new showroom of space saving furniture at Nehru
Place, New Delhi. The inauguration is to be held on Sunday, the 23rd November, 20XX
at 9.00 a.m. Write a formal letter on their behalf inviting their friends and relatives to the
function.
12. You are Shirish. You have been selected as pilot officer in IAF. You want to celebrate :
the occasion by hosting a grand party to your selected friends. Send an informal
invitation to your intimate friend Madhu to join you on this occasion.
 13. You are the President, Students’ Council of your school. Send a proper letter of invitation
to Sh. Sunil Dutt, M.P., to preside over the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected
members of the council on 17 September, 20XX.
14. Your elder brother Amrit has married Mohini at Bangalore. Your father Mr Sohan Lai
Vij wants to hold a dinner to celebrate the wedding. Write a formal invitation on behalf
of Mr & Mrs Sohan Lai Vij inviting guests to attend the reception.
15. Your grand parents have completed 50 years of their wedded life. Send an informal
invitation to your uncle, residing at Mysore to join you in the Golden Jubilee celebrations
of their marriage at your house.
16. You have opened a boutique in Paschim Vihar. Draft an invitation for the inauguration of
the same, specifying the chief guest and other important details like date, time and venue.
The invitation should not exceed 50 words.
17. The Residents’ Welfare Society of your area is organising a ‘Bal Mela’ on Children’s
Day. There will be food-stalls, games and rides along with many attractive prizes. Extend
an invitation to the residents to participate in the same in about 50 words.
18. The Literacy Club of your school is organising an inter-school caricature contest in your
school. Draft an invitation inviting the famous cartoonist Sudhir Tailang to be the special
guest of honour during the contest.
19. You are Sajjanraj, S/o Sh. Dharmaraj of Greater Kailash, New Delhi. Your father wants
you to draft a formal invitation to be sent on the occasion of your sister, Anita Raj’s
marriage. Prepare the invitation.

WRITING REPLIES

OR
RESPONDING TO INVITATIONS

FORMAL REPLIES

1. ACCEPTANCE. 2 . REGRET (DECLINING)

A formal reply is usually very short. It is brief and to the point. The quality of a good reply is
that it must always be pleasant. Even while declining the invitation or expressing inability to
attend one must be polite and courteous. Formal replies demand a formal tone and treatment.
There is no room for unnecessary details or superfluous matter in them.

Main characteristics:
(a) Formal Replies

Acknowledge the invitation.

  Express thanks in third person.
 Mention acceptance/regret.
 Specify the reason for refusal.
 Be brief and specific.
 Be formal in tone and treatment.
 There is no salutation
 Write in third person only
 Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).

(b) Informal Replies

 Acknowledge the invitation in first person.

 Use second person for the sender of invitation.
 Mention acceptance/regret.
 Specify the reason in case of refusal.
 Use warm and simple language.
 Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).

1. ACCEPTANCE (thanking, accepting)

SAMPLE ANSWER
Draft a formal reply accepting an invitation to be present on the occasion of the wedding of
Ankush S/o Mr & Mrs Shankar of 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur. You are Vikram Gaur of Raja
Ki Mandi, Agra.
Answer:
Mr and Mrs Vikram Gaur thank Mr And Mrs Shankar for inviting them on the occasion of the
wedding of their son Ankush at 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur on 15 Auguest, 20XX and assure
them that they will be present on the occasion to wish the newly weds a very happy married life.
Mr and Mrs Gaur will reach Kanpur by the Agra Mail which leaves Agra at 8.00 a.m.
Vikram Gaur
7 Auguest, 2020

2. REGRET (thanking, declining)

Write a formal reply expressing your inability to attend the birthday celebrations of your friend
Suresh Pradhan of 1235, Vivekananda Marg, Belur. You are Somesh Basu.
Answer:
Mr and Mrs Somesh Basu thank Mr & Mrs Suresh Pradhan for extending an invitation to the
birthday celebrations of their son Akshay at their residence 1235, Vivekananda Marg, Belur on
20 March, 20XX and wish the young boy many happy returns of the day but regret their inability
to be present personally on account of some previous engagements.
Somesh Basu
16 March, 20XX
SAMPLE ANSWER
Draft a formal reply expressing your inability to attend the inauguration of the showroom
‘Regalia’ on Sunday, the 20th August 20XX, at 11 a.m. at B-12, Rohini. You are Navin Jain of
C-5, G.K.J, New Delhi and your friend is G.L. Bansal of 23, Sunder Nagar, New Delhi.
Answer:

Mrs & Mr Navin Jain thank Mrs & Mr G.L. Bansal for the invitation to the inauguration of their
showroom ‘Regalia’ on Sunday, the 20th August 20XX, at 11 a.m. at B-12, Rohini, Delhi.
However, they express their inability to be present on the occasion due to a prior commitments.

Jains

7th August 2020

FORMAL REPLIES (NOT PRINTED – LETTER TYPE)

1.ACCEPTANCE - (thanking, accepting)

FORMAT IS THE SAME AS MENTIONED ABOVE

CONTENT –THANKING AND ACCEPTING

SAMPLE ANSWER

You are Akshya / Aakriti. You have been invited to participate in a seminar on ‘Fundamental
Rights of Children’, organised by the Lions Club of your district. Respond to the invitation by
writing a letter to the Secretary of the club accepting the invitation.
Answer:
25, Aram Bagh Road
Meerut

5 May, 20XX

The Secretary
Lions Club, Meerut

Sir

Sub: Acceptance of Invitation

Thanks for your invitation for a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of Children’, and your concern
for the under-privileged children. I have great pleasure in accepting the invitation. I would like to
utilise this opportunity to share my experiences with other like-minded enthusiasts and experts.
1 hereby confirm my participation in the seminar.

Yours sincerely
Akshya / Aakriti

2.REGRET

CONTENT- thanking and declining, reason

SAMPLE ANSWER

You are Akshya/ Askriti. You have been invited to participate in a seminar on ‘Fundamental
Rights of Children’ organized by the Lions Club of your district. Respond to the invitation
expressing your inability to accept it.

25, Arain Bagh Road

Meerut

8th August2020

The Secretary
Lions Club
Meerut

Sir

Sub: Inability to accept the invitation

Thank you very much for inviting me to participate in a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of
Children’. I feel honoured and obliged. However, I shall not be able to accept your invitation due
to some previous commitments which keep me confined to my place on that day.
Thanking you once again for your kind invitation.
Yours sincerely
Akshay / Aakrit
 (ii) INFORMAL REPLIES
SOLVED QUESTIONS

ACCEPTANCE

SAMPLE ANSWER
You are Manoj /Mini. You have been invited to attend a birthday party of your closest friend.
Respond to the invitation, accepting it.
Answer:
217 MIG Flats
Surya Vihar, New Delhi

15 March, 20XX

Dear Shuchi

Thank you for inviting me for your birthday party on 25 March, 20XX at 5 p.m. at Hotel Janpath.
I am extremely happy to know that all our old friends are likely to be there.
I would like to confirm my participation.
Looking forward to the momentous occasion.

Yours sincerely
Manoj/Mini

REGRET

Dear Shuchi
I acknowledge with thanks your kind invitation to your birthday party on the 25th March. I regret
to inform you that I will not be able to join you in the celebrations due to some very urgent and
unavoidable prior engagements that may keep me tied down here on that day.
Please accept my heartiest felicitations and love.
Wishing you a very happy birthday.
Yours sincerely
Manoj /Mini

SAMPLE ANSWER
You are Abhinav/Aakriti. You have received a letter from your close friend, inviting you to
attend the marriage of his sister. But, unfortunately, you cannot attend it due to your previous
commitments. Write him a letter regretting your inability to attend the marriage ceremony.
Answer :
247/C Mayank Apartments
New Delhi-110059

25 March, 20XX

Dear Rohit

I feel honoured for being invited to attend the marriage of your elder sister, Kunika. Please
accept my thanks and congratulations. Unfortunately, due to some unavoidable previous
commitments, I shall not be able to attend the ceremony. Kindly do not take it otherwise.
Please do accept a small wedding gift that I am sending for Kunika ‘Didi’ through courier on this
auspicious occasion.
Yours sincerely
Abhinav

REPLIES

TEST YOUR SKILLS

1. You were invited by the local unit of Boogie Woogie, a talent search organisation, to
make a selection of the local teams for participation in the zonal competition and
performance at the national level. But you are not in a position to do so because you have
met with an accident. Write a letter to the convener regretting your inability to honour the
request explaining to him your position. You are Arun/Aruna Joglekar.
2. You have received an invitation to attend the prize giving ceremony on the occasion of
the Regional Social Sciences Exhibition. Write a letter to the Secretary of the ‘The World
View’ (the organiser of the exhibition) informing him about your inability to attend. Give
three reasons.
3. You were invited by a friend of yours to spend some days at his farmhouse in Manali
during the summer vacation. Respond to his invitation.
4. Write an informal reply to your pen-friend in the U.K assuring her of all help and
guidance during her planned forthcoming visit to India.
5. You are Arun/Aruna. You have been invited to attend the wedding of your friend’s sister
during summer vacation. Respond to the invitation accepting the invitation.
6. You have received an invitation from the Manager, Youth Club IIT, Powai, Mumbai to
attend the Premiere of the play called ‘Desh Ki Pukar’. Write a letter of regret giving at
least three reasons for your not being able to attend the programme.
7. You are Rahul/Neha. You have been invited by the Three Arts Club of your locality to
give a dance performance on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee Celebrations. Respond to
the invitation.
8. You are the President, Literary Society of your school. You had requested the famous
writer Mulk Raj Anand to inaugurate the Society’s Talent Search Function. Mr Anand
has raised certain queries regarding the activities of the society, its membership, previous
performance etc. Send a brief formal reply.
9. You were invited by your friend S. Kumar to the marriage of his son, but due to some
unavoidable circumstances you can’t leave the station. Write a reply expressing your
inability to attend the function. You are V.K Malhotra of 235, Mayur Vihar, Delhi.
10. Draft a reply, in not more than 50 words, accepting an invitation to be present on the
occasion of the first marriage anniversary of your cousin Urvashi.
11. Mr S.K. Sarin’s mother died on 10 July, 20XX. His friends and relatives sent him letters
of condolence. Draft a reply on behalf of Mr Sarin thanking his close friend Anurag Sibal
of 25 Golf Links, New Delhi for sharing his grief during the bereavement.
12. You wrote an article on ‘Psuedo-Secularism in India’ and sent it to The Times of India
for publication. On behalf of the Editor, The Times of India, write a letter regretting that
your article has not been found acceptable for the paper.
13. You wrote a letter to the Dyal Singh Memorial Library seeking information regarding the
membership of the library. Draft a reply on behalf of the Librarian, DSM Library in
response to your letter.
14. You are S.P. Singh, manager Dark Horses Club, Kashmiri Gate, Delhi. Write a reply to
Young Heroes Club, Lucknow expressing your inability to accept their offer of. a
friendly match at Lucknow on the coming Sunday. Give three reasons.
15. You are P.K. Mehta, the Personnel Manager, Hindustan Cables, Bangalore. Write a letter
to one Sumit Hegde of 327, Garden Road, Mysore expressing your inability to re-appoint
him.
16. You are Rohan, the secretary of the Eco-Club of your school. You want to start a
‘Greener City – Cleaner City campaign in your city. You have approached the secretary,
Green Earth, a voluntary organisation, for help and guidance. Draft a reply on behalf of
the secretary, Green Earth explaining what sort of assistance and guidance they can
render.
17. You sent some suggestions to THE HERALD, a local weekly for giving more space to
local news and issues. Draft a formal reply on behalf of the Editor accepting your
suggestions but declining to cut advertisements.
18. On behalf of Shabana Azmi, M.P. and noted film star, write a reply accepting the
invitation of the Little Angels Club – a society running an orphanage, to preside over
their Diwali Mela celebrations.
19. Draft a formal reply on behalf of the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha accepting the
invitation of the Students’ Forum, ABC School Noida, to inaugurate their Mock-
Parliament.
20. As manager of R.S. Dhami & Sons, Agra write a letter to M/s Raj Kumar Prem Kumar,
New Market, Barot responding to their query why their firm has been blacklisted by you.