Ex. 5. Choose the correct variant.

Dear Sir,

I was very pleased to learn about your plans (to do/to make) a documentary (of/on) crime, as this is an important (item/issue) for those of us who live in this area, and I am writing to you with my suggestions for what (to describe/to include).

It seems to me that one of the biggest (difficulties/problems) in our area is overcrowding. When people live too close together they (can be/can get) angry and frustrated, so (it’s obvious/ it’s no wonder) that they sometimes (take out/take off) this aggression through (petty offence/vandalism). I thought that (the idea/the plan) of improving (video surveillance/video control) was a good one; (alternatively/in fact) I’d take it one stage further and suggest (initiating/introducing/setting up) cameras in shops and poorly-lit places. Of course this would be expensive, but it would (mean/prove) that the real (criminals/victims) could be identified.

Another problem is that schoolchildren are being (introduced/lured) into crime by older boys. I think it would be really (meaningful/useful) if the police (was/were) to visit schools on a regular (schedule/ basis) just so that they could talk to the children about ways (of/for) avoiding crime. This would also (do/make) the police a more visible presence in the city generally. I (would prefer/would like) to hear other people’s (opinions/views) on this idea.

(In the long run/ finally), it has (occurred/dawned) to me that a lot of crime is (actually/similarly) caused by boredom. Where I live there is (nothing/anything much) to do in the evenings and I’m (persuaded/sure) that is (part/a great deal) of the problem. There is a real need (for/of) more (free time/leisure) activities and I think a discussion on possible (types/kinds) of entertainment could (pick up/throw up) some interesting ideas.

I’m looking forward to hearing the programme.

Yours faithfully,

Steve Chalmers