O-Level Situational Writing Practice 4: The Playground Letter
This page gives you one complete situational writing task. You will write a formal letter about a playground that needs fixing. Formal letters follow the strictest format of all.
The situation
You live in Palm Grove estate. A neighbour posted this message in the residents' group.
From: Mr Gopal, Block 118 Posted in: Palm Grove Residents' Group
The swings at our playground are dangerous. One seat hangs from a cracked chain, and my son's hand was pinched there on Sunday. Another parent has taped a warning sign over that swing, but children keep pulling it aside. Our blocks are full of young families. Please, if anyone knows how to report this, do it before a child is badly hurt.
Your task
You are Nadia Rahman of Block 116, Palm Grove Road, and you use that playground with your younger brother. Write a formal letter to the Greenvale Town Council.
Visual source: the image shows the swing, the taped sign and the estate around it. Use Mr Gopal’s message for the exact location, the danger and what residents have already done.
Your letter must include:
- the problem, and exactly where it is
- why it is dangerous, using what has already happened
- what residents have done so far
- what you want the council to do, and how soon
- your contact details, and a request for a reply
Check your plan
Which greeting and sign-off pair is correct for this letter?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: (A) 'Dear Sir/Madam,' … 'Yours faithfully'
The correct answer is (A). You do not know the name of any officer at the council. When you cannot name the reader, 'Dear Sir/Madam' pairs with 'Yours faithfully'. (B) and (C) are too casual for a formal body, and they would cost task fulfilment marks. (D) invents a name, and 'Yours sincerely' belongs with a named reader.
Write your letter
The real paper asks for 250 to 350 words. This practice trims the length so you can focus on the points. Every other rule stays the same.
✍️ Your turn
Write a formal letter of about 150 to 200 words to the Greenvale Town Council. Start with your address and the date, then the recipient block. Cover all 5 points in the task list. Keep the tone formal from the first line to the last.
When you cannot name the reader, 'Dear Sir/Madam' pairs with 'Yours faithfully'. Learn the pair, not just the words.
The model
Reveal the model answer
Nadia Rahman Block 116 Palm Grove Road, #07-31 Singapore 650116
16 June 2026
The Chairman Greenvale Town Council
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to report a safety problem at the playground beside Block 118, Palm Grove Road.
One swing seat hangs from a cracked chain. The chain could snap under a child's weight. A boy was pinched there last Sunday, and the crack looks wider now.
Residents have done what we can. A parent has taped a warning sign over the swing, but children keep pulling it aside. Several of us have also shared photos in the residents' group.
Please cordon off the swing and replace the chain. With so many young families here, I hope this can happen this week.
You can reach me at 9123 4567 or [email protected]. I would be grateful for an update on the repair.
Yours faithfully, Nadia Rahman
Why this scores
- The letter has every formal part, from the addresses and date to "Yours faithfully".
- The problem and its exact location arrive in the first paragraph.
- The danger is shown with what happened, so it reads as fact rather than worry.
- The residents' efforts are reported, which tells the council the community has acted.
- The request is specific and time-bound, and the contact details invite a reply.
Back to O-Level situational writing · Related: O-Level visual text