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Inquiry Letter Writing

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Inquiry Letter Writing

At low tide, Tevita, Charlotte and Talia notice that several rock pools near their favourite beach look cloudy. They want to learn how visitors can help protect the small animals living there. Plan and write a polite inquiry letter to the local council’s coastal team. Use the scene for inspiration; all the information you need is on this worksheet.

Read the inquiry brief

The coastal team can answer questions about beach care and local projects. Your letter should help you find reliable information. You might ask what causes cloudy water, what visitors should do near rock pools, or whether the council runs a beach-care project. Choose one clear main question and add a smaller follow-up question if useful.

1.Choose the best answer for Tevita’s letter to the coastal team.

To tell an entertaining story about a beach
To ask politely for information
To persuade the council to buy a new building

2.The children do not know the name of the person who will read their letter. Which greeting is polite and appropriate?

Hey, whoever’s there!
Kia ora, Coastal Team,
Give us the information,

3.Match each part of an inquiry letter with the example that best fits it.

Greeting
Main question
Polite closing
Sign-off and name

Thank you for your time. I look forward to your reply.
Kia ora, Coastal Team,
Could you please explain what visitors should do to protect rock-pool animals?
Ngā mihi, Charlotte

4.Rewrite Talia’s blunt sentence as a polite inquiry: “Tell me why the water is cloudy.”

5.Which question is most focused and useful to ask the coastal team?

Do you like beaches?
Could you please tell us two ways visitors can protect animals in local rock pools?
Why is everything in the sea interesting?

6.Write one sentence explaining why the children want to find out how to protect rock-pool animals.

7.An inquiry letter should include a clear question and enough context for the reader to understand why you are writing.

8.Complete a plan for the letter to the coastal team: name the reader, state your main inquiry question, add one follow-up question, and give a reason for asking.

9.Use your plan to write a complete inquiry letter to the coastal team. Include a greeting, a brief reason for writing, one main question, a follow-up question, a polite closing, and your name. Keep the tone respectful.

10.Reread your letter. Tick each feature you included, then name one change you made or could make to improve clarity or politeness: a greeting; a clear main question; a reason for writing; a polite closing; complete sentences.