Writing: Formal Letter — Class 10 MCQs with Answers
Class 10 CBSE English · Chapter 30
60 practice questions · 20 Easy · 20 Medium · 20 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 10 CBSE English questions from Chapter 30, "Writing: Formal Letter". You get 6 timed quizzes made from 60 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 20 Easy, 20 Medium and 20 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that top scorers in CBSE Board exams get right.
To score well in "Writing: Formal Letter", focus on comprehension, grammar and writing skills. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This helps you stay accurate when time is short, just as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Writing: Formal Letter, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 10 English mastery score. 12 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Writing: Formal Letter — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 10 English)
12 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation.
- Q1Easy
In a CBSE formal letter, which element is written FIRST?
A.Sender's address✓ CorrectB.SubjectC.SalutationD.BodyAnswer: A. Sender's address
Explanation: The sender's address heads the letter, followed by the date.
- Q2Easy
Which salutation is correct when writing to an unnamed Editor?
A.My dear SirB.Sir/Madam✓ CorrectC.Dear FriendD.Hello EditorAnswer: B. Sir/Madam
Explanation: An unnamed official is addressed formally as Sir or Madam.
- Q3Easy
A letter written to a shopkeeper about a defective product is a letter of:
A.complaint✓ CorrectB.enquiryC.orderD.applicationAnswer: A. complaint
Explanation: Reporting a fault and seeking redress is the purpose of a letter of complaint.
- Q4Easy
Which opening is appropriate for a formal letter?
A.Just writing to say our locality is a mess these days.B.I wish to draw your attention to a serious problem in our locality.✓ CorrectC.Hey, there is a big problem here you should know about.D.You will never guess what happened in our locality!Answer: B. I wish to draw your attention to a serious problem in our locality.
Explanation: A formal letter opens with a restrained, impersonal statement of purpose.
- Q5Easy
What immediately follows the sender's address in a formal letter?
A.SubjectB.Complimentary closeC.Date✓ CorrectD.SalutationAnswer: C. Date
Explanation: The date is placed directly below the sender's address.
- Q6Medium
Which element is NOT required in a CBSE Class 10 formal letter?
A.The complimentary closeB.A postscript✓ CorrectC.The subject lineD.The dateAnswer: B. A postscript
Explanation: A postscript has no place in the prescribed format.
- Q7Medium
Identify the format error: a letter opening 'Dear Sir' and closing 'Yours sincerely'.
A.The close should be 'Yours faithfully'✓ CorrectB.The salutation should be 'Respected Sir'C.The close should be 'Yours lovingly'D.There is no errorAnswer: A. The close should be 'Yours faithfully'
Explanation: An unnamed recipient requires 'Yours faithfully'; 'sincerely' belongs with a named one.
- Q8Medium
Which subject line best suits a letter of enquiry about a summer course?
A.Please tell me about your courseB.Summer courseC.Regarding a matter of some importanceD.Enquiry regarding the summer coaching programme✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Enquiry regarding the summer coaching programme
Explanation: A subject line should name the purpose precisely and impersonally.
- Q9Medium
Which sentence is most suitable for the body of a complaint letter?
A.I am really upset and angry about the washing machine you sent.B.Your washing machine is the worst product I have ever seen in my life.C.The washing machine delivered on 3 May has developed a major fault within a week.✓ CorrectD.The washing machine you sent us is totally useless and a complete waste of money.Answer: C. The washing machine delivered on 3 May has developed a major fault within a week.
Explanation: A factual, dated statement of the problem is more persuasive than an emotional outburst.
- Q10Hard
A student writes the sender's address, then the salutation, then the date. What is wrong?
A.The date must follow the sender's address, before the receiver's address✓ CorrectB.The salutation must come before the sender's addressC.The date must be placed after the signatureD.Nothing is wrong with this orderAnswer: A. The date must follow the sender's address, before the receiver's address
Explanation: The prescribed sequence is address, date, receiver's address, subject, salutation.
- Q11Hard
A letter addressed 'To The Manager' with no name should close with:
A.RegardsB.Yours faithfully✓ CorrectC.Yours sincerelyD.Yours obedientlyAnswer: B. Yours faithfully
Explanation: A designation without a personal name still counts as an unnamed recipient.
- Q12Hard
Which combination best suits a letter of complaint about a delayed delivery?
A.Subject naming your feelings, body with adjectives, close threatening legal actionB.Subject left blank, body with the whole story, close asking for sympathyC.Subject naming the company, body praising them, close asking for a discountD.Subject naming the order number, body with dates, close requesting a firm delivery date✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Subject naming the order number, body with dates, close requesting a firm delivery date
Explanation: Traceable specifics and a concrete request are what make a complaint actionable.
Key concepts: Writing: Formal Letter (Class 10 English)
One of the two writing tasks in Class 10, at 100-120 words. Format carries marks of its own here, which makes this the most recoverable question in the paper: the layout can be learned exactly and reproduced under any prompt.
- The order of the parts
- Sender's address first, then the date directly below it, then the receiver's address, then the subject line, then the salutation, the body, and the closing.
- Word limit
- 100-120 words for the CBSE Class 10 formal letter. Writing carries 10 marks in total across this task and the analytical paragraph.
- The subject line
- A brief phrase naming the purpose so the reader knows at a glance — 'Enquiry regarding the summer coaching programme'. It states the purpose precisely and impersonally.
- The closing order
- Complimentary close first, then the signature, then the writer's name in full. Getting these three in the wrong order costs format marks.
- Salutation and subscription must match
- An unnamed official takes 'Sir' or 'Sir/Madam' with 'Yours faithfully'. A named recipient takes 'Dear Mr Sharma' or 'Dear Ms Rao' with 'Yours sincerely'.
- The classic format error
- Opening 'Dear Sir' and closing 'Yours sincerely'. The recipient is unnamed, so it must be 'Yours faithfully'. This pairing is tested in both directions.
- Letter of complaint
- Reports a fault and seeks redress. Tone is firm but courteous — a complaint is taken seriously when it is not discourteous.
- Letter of enquiry
- Seeks information, such as details about prices or a course. It asks; it does not order.
- Letter of order
- Places a request for goods, and must specify quantity and delivery date — the detail an enquiry does not need.
- Letter of request
- Asks for permission or a favour, such as the use of the school auditorium.
- Letter to the Editor
- Written to raise a matter of public concern, addressed to an unnamed Editor and so closing 'Yours faithfully'.
- Register
- Impersonal and restrained. Refer to yourself as 'I', avoid contractions such as don't and can't, and never accuse in the second person — 'You guys sent the wrong size' becomes 'The size delivered does not match the size ordered'.
- How to open and close
- Open with the purpose: 'I wish to draw your attention to…'. Close by naming the remedy you expect: 'I look forward to an early replacement or refund.'
- Facts beat feelings
- 'The washing machine delivered on 3 May has developed a fault' persuades more than an emotional protest — a dated, factual statement is what earns the content marks.
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Start this chapter free →Writing: Formal Letter — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 10 English Writing: Formal Letter?+
One of the two writing tasks in Class 10, at 100-120 words. Format carries marks of its own here, which makes this the most recoverable question in the paper: the layout can be learned exactly and reproduced under any prompt. Key ideas include The order of the parts, Word limit, The subject line, The closing order, Salutation and subscription must match, The classic format error.
What does Class 10 English Chapter 30 (Writing: Formal Letter) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 60 NCERT-based MCQs on "Writing: Formal Letter": 20 Easy, 20 Medium and 20 Hard. Together they make 6 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "Writing: Formal Letter" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Writing: Formal Letter" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year. One year from the day you pay. You stay in Class 10 till 31 March; on 1 April your account moves up to Class 11 and the rest of your year carries over. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Writing: Formal Letter" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 6 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Writing: Formal Letter" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 12 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Writing: Formal Letter" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Writing: Formal Letter (Class 10 English)?+
The questions that matter most test The order of the parts, Word limit, The subject line, The closing order, Salutation and subscription must match, The classic format error. This page shows 12 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations. Sign in to practise all 60 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.
Is there an online quiz for Writing: Formal Letter?+
Yes — Class 10 English Writing: Formal Letter has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.