A clear no and an unanswered invitation
Original practice source: a commentary about replying to invitations.
A refusal can disappoint someone while still allowing them to plan. They know a place is available, a task needs another person or an arrangement should change. A delayed answer may keep those decisions uncertain.
Not every invitation creates the same obligation. A person may not have received it, may need time to decide or may reasonably prefer not to supply a private explanation. A considerate exchange makes the request and any deadline clear, while allowing an honest no to remain an acceptable answer rather than the beginning of a demand for justification.
A national newspaper is running an essay competition on the statement: “A clear refusal is always better than leaving an invitation unanswered.”
Write an essay for the competition arguing your view. You may use ideas from the source and your own ideas.
60 exam-style questions on Oxford AQA IGCSE English Language 2.2 Section B: Directed writing, covering 2.2.1 Writing for audience and purpose, 2.2.2 Responding to multiple and diverse demands, and 2.2.3 Writing linked to the Section A sources. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.