Writing Better English for ESL Learners

Answer Key 233

October 5, 2009

1199 Oak Street

Johnstown , IL 60622

My Dear Barbara ,

You may have heard by now that I lost some money recently. What you prob-

ably don’t know is that it was a whole month’s salary. When I got my monthly

paycheck , I cashed it at my bank. Then I put the money in my purse and headed

for home, but somehow I left my purse on the bus. I know it was a careless and

stupid thing to do.

Yesterday a little boy came to my door and asked if I had lost any thing

recently. I told him I had lost my purse and described it to him. He just looked

at me for a moment.

Then he pulled my purse from behind his back and handed it to me. Every-

thing was in it: my wallet, my credit cards, my driver’s license, and all my money.

I was so relieved that I gave the boy fifty dollars. It’s good to know that there are

nice people in the world.

Yours,

Aunt Mary

Exercise 5.2Sample completions are provided.