Reading a Letter to the Editor
Read a B2 persuasive letter to a newspaper and follow the argument. A real-world reading text with key words and questions.
Read this letter published in a local newspaper. Then answer the questions.
Letters to the Editor: Save Our Library
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my dismay at the council’s proposal to close the Elmwood Public Library in order to save money. While I understand that the council faces difficult financial decisions, I believe this particular cut would be a serious mistake, and I urge readers to oppose it.
Some may argue that libraries are no longer necessary in the age of the internet. This view, in my opinion, badly misunderstands what a library is. Our library is far more than a building full of books. It is a warm, safe place where children attend reading groups, where students without a quiet home can study, and where elderly residents, many of whom live alone, come to read the newspapers and talk to others. For those who cannot afford a computer, it offers free internet access that is essential for finding work or dealing with official forms.
The proposed saving, moreover, is modest – a tiny fraction of the council’s overall budget. Surely a service that benefits so many people, especially the most vulnerable, is worth this relatively small sum. I would encourage the council to look for savings elsewhere, and I invite fellow residents to sign the petition at the library before it is too late. Once a community loses a library, it rarely gets it back.
Yours faithfully,
Margaret Doyle
- dismay – a feeling of shock and disappointment
- proposal – a plan or suggestion put forward for consideration
- vulnerable – needing special care; easily harmed
- modest – relatively small or limited
- petition – a formal written request signed by many people
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