Question

Read the following line:
Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that...
For which kind of letter would this line be appropriate?
(a)Formal
(b)Informal
(c)Semi-formal
(d)Inquiry

Answer 1

Hint: A letter is a written message conveyed from one person to another through a medium. A written, typed, or printed communication, sent in an envelope by post or messenger.

Complete answer:
 The term usually excludes written material intended to be read in its original form by large numbers of people, such as newspapers and placards; however, even these may include material in the form of an “open letter”. There are basically two types of letters – formal and informal letters. In this question, there is a phrase given, we have to find out that it belongs to which of the letters from among the four given options.
Now, let us examine all the given options to find out the correct answer -
Option ‘a' is Formal. It is a letter from one company to another, or between such organizations and their customers, clients, or other external parties. It is the correct answer as the given sentence is in a respectful tone. A formal letter is also written respectfully and with elegance.
Option ‘b’ is Informal. It is a letter you would write to a friend, a family member or an acquaintance. It cannot be the correct answer as the phrase doesn’t match the context of an informal letter.
Option ‘c’ is Semi-formal. A semi-formal letter is written to someone that you know by name and with whom you have a professional or business relationship with, for instance; your teacher, accountant, landlord, etc. It is also an incorrect option. So, we will eliminate this option.
Option ‘d’ is Inquiry. A letter of inquiry asks someone for specific information. In some cases, such as a request for promotional material, the recipient will have a clear interest in responding to your letter. This option is not related to the given question and cannot be the correct answer at all.
As we have analyzed all the given options, we can easily figure out the correct answer. Hence, option ‘a’ is the correct option.

Note:
You must also pay attention to the additional details of the given phrase. Such formal and respectful language is generally a part of the body of a formal letter. The sender is not an individual and 'We' generally stands for a Company.