In the passage on how to write a good letter, the writer says that if you share small things that you talk about at home, the recipients will see you, hear your voice, and understand what you are talking about. According to the passage, what should the recipient of your letter be able to do when reading it?

Introduction / Context:
This question relates to the same passage on letter writing that praises personal detail and homely scenes. The author says that a good letter should make the people at home see the writer, hear the writer voice, and recognise the situations described. The question asks what the recipient should experience while reading the letter.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The writer advises that a letter should include small, familiar details from everyday life.
• The passage states that if you tell such details, the recipients will see you and hear your voice in their imagination.
• The example of Carlyle shows how a simple description of the room, the fire, and the mother writing creates a vivid mental picture for Alec.
• The purpose of a letter is presented as making the reader feel close to the writer.
• Clarity and recognisable details are more important than vague, abstract language.

Concept / Approach:
The concept tested is the function of detailed, personal writing. The passage suggests that the recipient should not struggle to understand, nor guess what the writer might mean, but should instead immediately recognise the scene and feel the presence of the writer. The correct option will therefore emphasise understanding and clear recognition of what is being talked about.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the line where the writer says that if you include small homely things, the recipients will see you and hear your voice. Step 2: Understand that this means the reader should be able to picture you and your surroundings easily. Step 3: Note that the author explicitly states that this is the purpose of a letter. Step 4: Look at the options and choose the one that talks about the reader knowing what you are talking about, seeing you, and understanding you clearly. Step 5: Reject options that mention confusion, distraction, or difficulty in understanding.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, compare the answer you chose with the example given in the passage. When Alec reads about his mother trying to write and the warm room with the fire, he can picture the scene and feel emotionally moved. This confirms that the intention is for the reader to know exactly what is happening and to feel close to the writer, not to be confused or forced to guess.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option A implies that the recipient has to rely on imagination to guess what the writer might mean. The passage suggests the opposite, that the descriptions should be clear and familiar.
• Option C mentions distraction and loss of interest due to details, but the passage uses details to engage feelings, not to distract.
• Option D suggests that the letter should be difficult to understand, which is clearly against the advice given.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners think that literary writing must be complex and hard to understand, and therefore may choose options that mention difficulty or imagination in a vague sense. The passage, however, praises simplicity and recognisable scenes. The safest strategy is to align your answer with the example of Carlyle letter and the emotional reaction of Alec.

Final Answer:
According to the passage, a good personal letter makes the reader feel as if the writer is present, speaking directly and describing real, familiar scenes. Hence the recipient should know clearly what you are talking about and picture you as you write.