You are writing a formal letter of complaint to the manager of a hotel where you stayed. You want to sound polite but clear, using a consistent formal register and no inappropriate colloquial or over-deferential language. Which sentence is the most appropriate opening for this letter?
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Верный ответ
- DI am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the cleanliness of my room and to request a partial refund.
Разбор
Step 1: Identify the situation. It is a formal letter to a hotel manager, so the register must be formal, neutral and polite, and the complaint must be stated clearly. Step 2: "I'm writing to tell you that my room was totally filthy, so I want my money back right away." uses a contraction, the informal 'totally filthy' and a blunt demand, so it is too informal and impolite. Step 3: "...which was, like, pretty disgusting." starts formally but then switches to the filler 'like' and slangy 'pretty disgusting', so the register is mixed. Step 4: "I humbly beg Your Excellency to forgive my complaint..." is excessively servile and uses an inappropriate form of address for a hotel manager. It also weakens the complaint with 'slightly'. Step 5: "I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the cleanliness of my room and to request a partial refund." uses a standard formal opening, a neutral and precise statement of the problem, and a polite request. It is consistent in register, so it is the correct choice.