CLB Writing Skills & Organization 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When writing a formal complaint letter in a CLB writing task, which opening is most appropriate?
- Hey, I'm really mad about this!
- Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to express my concern regarding... (Correct answer)
- Yo, your service was totally terrible!
- Hi there, just wanted to say something.
Correct answer: Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to express my concern regarding...
Formal complaint letters require professional salutations and objective, polite language.
Question 2: What is the key difference between writing for an academic audience versus a general audience in CLB tasks?
- Academic writing uses simpler vocabulary
- Academic writing requires more evidence and formal language (Correct answer)
- General audience writing requires more technical jargon
- There is no difference between the two in CLB tasks
Correct answer: Academic writing requires more evidence and formal language
Academic writing demands formal language, evidence-based claims, and structured argumentation.
Question 3: In a CLB writing task requiring a personal narrative, which point of view should the writer use?
- Third person (he/she/they)
- Second person (you)
- First person (I/we) (Correct answer)
- Passive voice throughout
Correct answer: First person (I/we)
Personal narratives are written in first person to share personal experiences and perspectives.
Question 4: Which type of CLB writing task would most require persuasive language?
- Describing your daily routine
- Writing instructions for assembling furniture
- Arguing in favor of a community policy change (Correct answer)
- Summarizing a news article objectively
Correct answer: Arguing in favor of a community policy change
Persuasive writing requires language that convinces readers to accept a particular viewpoint or take action.
Question 5: For a CLB job application letter, which element is LEAST appropriate to include?
- Relevant work experience
- The applicant's personal political opinions (Correct answer)
- Specific skills matching the job requirements
- A professional closing statement
Correct answer: The applicant's personal political opinions
Personal political opinions are irrelevant and inappropriate in a professional job application letter.
Question 6: When writing a CLB summary of an article, what is the writer's primary task?
- Add personal opinions throughout the summary
- Rewrite the article using entirely different vocabulary
- Accurately capture the main ideas in condensed form (Correct answer)
- Focus only on details from the article's conclusion
Correct answer: Accurately capture the main ideas in condensed form
A summary requires accurately restating the main ideas of a source in shorter form without adding personal opinions.
Question 7: Which register is most appropriate for a CLB email to a landlord about a repair issue?
- Very casual (like texting a friend)
- Formal professional (polite, clear, respectful) (Correct answer)
- Academic (with citations and references)
- Heavy technical jargon throughout
Correct answer: Formal professional (polite, clear, respectful)
Emails to authority figures like landlords should use polite, clear, and professional language.
CLB Writing Skills & Organization 3
When writing a formal complaint letter in a CLB writing task, which opening is most appropriate?