Basics of grammar in context. 45 questions on spoken vs written grammar differences, simple genre features, and grammar across everyday text types.
What this test covers
- Spoken vs Written Grammar Differences
- Grammar in Everyday Text Types
- Identifying Appropriate Grammar for Context
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1In a casual conversation, which is the most natural elliptical question to ask if someone is coming?
Answer: A. Coming to the party?
In casual conversation, we often shorten questions by leaving out words like 'Are you.' Saying 'Coming to the party?' is a very common way to talk to friends.
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Q2In a formal email to a professor, which sentence is grammatically correct?
Answer: D. I am writing to request assistance.
In formal emails, we use full words like 'I am' instead of 'I'm.' We also use professional words like 'request assistance' instead of 'ask for help,' and we avoid extra phrases like 'you know.'
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Q3In a text message to a friend, which is the most appropriate way to say you are going to be late?
Answer: A. I'm gonna be late.
When texting friends, we use short, informal words. 'I'm gonna' is a very common way to say 'I am going to' in a quick message. Phrases like 'I shall be late' sound too formal for a text.
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Q4In a recipe, which instruction is written correctly?
Answer: C. Add the flour slowly.
Recipes use direct instructions to tell you what to do. We usually start the sentence with a verb (an action word) like 'Add.' We don't say 'You should add' or 'Adding.'
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Q5In a news headline, which style is correct?
Answer: C. Government Announces New Plan.
Newspaper headlines are very short to save space. They often leave out small words like 'the' or 'a' and use the simple present tense (like 'Announces') to make the news feel new.
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Q6In a public sign, which phrase is standard for a prohibition?
Answer: D. No smoking.
Signs need to be very quick and easy to read. 'No smoking' is the standard, short way to show that something is not allowed.
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Q7In an advertisement, which sentence uses appropriate persuasive language?
Answer: D. This is the best deal ever.
Advertisements use strong, exciting words to persuade people. 'The best deal ever' sounds much more powerful and exciting than just saying 'a good deal.'
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Q8Which sentence is suitable for a formal report?
Answer: A. The person I met was helpful.
In formal writing, we use 'person' instead of the informal word 'guy.' We also avoid using 'what' to describe people. 'The person I met' is the correct and professional choice.
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Q9In a conversation, choose the correct use of a discourse marker: 'I don't really like this weather. ___, it's better than the rain.'
Answer: D. Actually
We use 'Actually' when we want to add a new fact or show a surprise. Here, the speaker adds a positive point ('it's better than the rain') to contrast with the bad weather.
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Q10Which sentence follows the spoken 'topic-comment' structure?
Answer: B. That new café, have you been there?
When talking, we often say the main topic first ('That new café') to make sure the other person knows what we are talking about, then we ask the question.
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Q11In a formal letter, which closing is appropriate?
Answer: D. Yours sincerely, John.
'Yours sincerely' is the standard way to end a formal letter when you know the name of the person you are writing to. 'Cheers' and 'See ya' are only for friends.
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Q12In a text message, what is the most informal way to write a question tag?
Answer: C. It's hot, right?
In quick text messages, we often use 'right?' at the end of a sentence to check if the other person agrees. It is much more informal and common than 'is it not?'
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Q13In a recipe, which sentence is acceptable for timing?
Answer: C. Bake the cake for 30 minutes.
Recipes use clear 'action words' at the start of the sentence. 'Bake' tells the reader exactly what to do. We don't usually say 'You are to bake' or 'Baking' in a recipe.
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Q14Which sentence uses the correct grammar for a formal complaint?
Answer: B. I am not satisfied with this service.
Formal complaints should use full sentences and professional words like 'satisfied.' You should avoid informal words like 'annoyed' or fillers like 'you know' and 'like.'
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Q15In a spoken conversation, which relative clause is most natural?
Answer: A. The man I spoke to is here.
In everyday conversation, it is very natural to leave out words like 'who' or 'whom.' 'The man I spoke to' is the most common way to say this.
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Q16Identify the context of this sentence: 'Turn left at the traffic lights and drive straight for two miles.'
Answer: A. A set of directions
Instructions like 'Turn left' and 'drive straight' are used to tell someone how to get to a place. This is typical language for directions.
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Q17Identify the context: 'New store opens downtown tomorrow; thousands expected.'
Answer: A. A news headline
This sentence is very short and leaves out words like 'A' or 'are.' This style is used in news headlines to give information quickly.
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Q18Identify the context: 'U coming 2 the cinema later?'
Answer: C. A text message
This sentence uses 'U' for 'you' and '2' for 'to.' This very short and informal spelling is common in text messages to friends.
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Q19Identify the context: 'Please ensure all windows are closed before leaving the premises.'
Answer: A. A formal notice
This sentence uses very polite and official words like 'ensure' and 'premises.' This is the kind of language you see on a formal notice in a building.
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Q20Identify the context: 'Mix the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.'
Answer: A. A recipe
Words like 'Mix,' 'eggs,' and 'fluffy' are used in cooking. Starting with an action word like 'Mix' is how we write instructions for a recipe.
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Q21Identify the context: 'Discover our amazing new collection. Shop now!'
Answer: C. An advertisement
Advertisements use exciting words like 'Discover' and 'amazing' to get your attention. 'Shop now!' is a command used to make you want to buy something.
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Q22Identify the context: 'Dear Mr. Smith, I am writing to confirm our appointment.'
Answer: B. A formal email
This message uses a polite greeting ('Dear Mr. Smith') and full, professional sentences. This is typical for a formal email.
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Q23Identify the context: 'Tickets half price. Don't miss out!'
Answer: B. An advertisement
This text uses short, punchy sentences and an exclamation mark to attract your attention to a sale. This is common in advertising.
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Q24Identify the context: 'The meeting, did you finish the notes for it?'
Answer: D. A spoken conversation
In conversation, we often say the topic first ('The meeting') and then ask a question about it. This is a very common way of speaking.
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Q25Identify the context: 'No entry. Authorised personnel only.'
Answer: D. A sign
Signs use very short phrases like 'No entry' to give clear rules. They don't use full sentences because they need to be read quickly.
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Q26Identify the context: 'I mean, it's kind of expensive, you know?'
Answer: C. A spoken conversation
Phrases like 'I mean,' 'kind of,' and 'you know' are called fillers. We use these when we talk, but we don't usually use them in formal writing.
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Q27Identify the context: 'Global warming: Scientists warn of rising sea levels.'
Answer: D. A news headline
News headlines often use a colon (:) to introduce a topic and leave out words like 'the' to keep the message short.
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Q28Identify the context: 'Can't wait to see you! See ya!'
Answer: A. A text message
Short forms like 'Can't' and informal endings like 'See ya!' are typical for a text message to a friend.
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Q29Identify the context: 'Heat the oven to 200 degrees.'
Answer: D. A recipe
This is a direct instruction for cooking. Starting with an action word like 'Heat' is the standard way to write a recipe.
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Q30Identify the context: 'We are pleased to invite you to our annual gala.'
Answer: D. A formal invitation
This sentence uses very polite, formal language like 'We are pleased to invite you.' This is used for official invitations.
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Q31Choose the corrected version: 'I can't attend the meeting today.' (In a formal email)
Answer: B. I cannot attend the meeting today.
In formal emails, we avoid short forms like 'can't.' We should use the full words: 'I cannot.'
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Q32Choose the corrected version: 'Add the eggs are added to the bowl.' (In a recipe)
Answer: B. Add the eggs to the bowl.
In a recipe, we give direct instructions using the simplest form of the verb. 'Add the eggs' is clear and correct. We don't say 'the eggs are added.'
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Q33Choose the corrected version: 'The man that I spoke to him was very kind.'
Answer: B. The man I spoke to was very kind.
When we describe someone with a phrase like 'the man I spoke to,' we do not need to add an extra 'him' at the end.
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Q34Choose the corrected version: 'Basically, it is a situation which is bad.' (Spoken conversation)
Answer: C. It's basically a bad situation.
In conversation, we use short forms like 'It's' and words like 'basically' to sound natural. 'It's basically a bad situation' is a common way to say this.
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Q35Choose the corrected version using a polite imperative: 'Please be keeping off the grass.' (On a sign)
Answer: D. Please keep off the grass.
For a sign, 'Please keep off' is the best way to give a polite but clear rule. We don't use 'be keeping' in this context.
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Q36Choose the corrected version: 'I am not going to be able to come.' (In a text message)
Answer: B. I'm not gonna be able to come.
In a casual text message, 'I'm not gonna' is very natural. It's the way people usually speak and text when they are in a hurry.
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Q37Choose the corrected version: 'The best deal, find yours.' (Advertisement)
Answer: A. The best deal. Find yours today.
Advertisements use short, separate sentences to make the message stand out. 'The best deal. Find yours today.' is very effective.
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Q38Choose the corrected version: 'It's hot, isn't it.' (In a text message)
Answer: B. It's hot, right?
In text messages, we often use 'right?' at the end to check if someone agrees. It is much more informal than 'isn't it?'
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Q39Choose the corrected version with the relative pronoun omitted: 'The man who I saw him was tall.'
Answer: B. The man I saw was tall.
We often leave out words like 'who' or 'that' when describing someone. Also, we must remove the extra 'him.' 'The man I saw' is the correct way to say it.
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Q40Choose the corrected version: 'I will be writing to you regarding the error.' (Formal email)
Answer: D. I am writing to you about the error.
In a formal email, we usually start with 'I am writing to you.' It is direct and professional. We avoid using short forms like 'I'm' in formal writing.
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Q41Choose the corrected version: 'That new movie — have you seen it?' (Spoken)
Answer: B. That new movie, have you seen it?
When we speak, we often name the topic first ('That new movie') to get the listener's attention before asking the question.
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Q42Choose the corrected version using a full imperative sentence: 'Please do not smoking.' (On a sign)
Answer: A. Do not smoke.
A sign with a clear rule uses a strong command. 'Do not smoke' is a grammatically correct way to tell people what not to do.
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Q43Choose the corrected version: 'The package which was delivered it arrived today.'
Answer: B. The package which was delivered arrived today.
When we describe the package using 'which was delivered,' we don't need to add the extra word 'it' afterwards.
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Q44Choose the corrected version: 'I mean, it's kind of cold, is it?' (Spoken)
Answer: A. It's kind of cold, isn't it?
In conversation, we use 'kind of' to soften a statement. Since 'it's cold' is positive, we use the negative question tag 'isn't it?' at the end.
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Q45Choose the corrected version that is most natural in informal speech: 'The person I met him was nice.'
Answer: C. The person I met was nice.
When you describe someone using a phrase like 'the person I met,' you must remove the extra word 'him.' 'The person I met was nice' is correct.
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