Basics of register and style. 45 questions on formal vs informal vocabulary, contractions, and simple register-appropriate choices in everyday contexts.
What this test covers
- Formal vs Informal Vocabulary
- Contractions and Formal Writing
- Choosing Register-Appropriate Structures
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 formal email to a client, which verb is the most appropriate to complete the sentence: 'We would like to ___ more information about your requirements.'
Answer: A. obtain
In professional writing, 'obtain' is a polite, formal way to say 'get'. Words like 'grab' or 'fetch' are too casual for a business email.
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Q2In a formal letter, which option is correct for the following sentence: '___ writing to enquire about the vacancy.'
Answer: A. I am
In formal writing, we use the full words 'I am' instead of the short form 'I'm'. Using short versions is fine for friends, but not for official letters.
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Q3In a formal business email, choose the best way to ask for assistance: '___ help me with this report?'
Answer: D. Could you please
'Could you please' is a very polite and professional way to ask for help. 'Help me' sounds like an order, and 'Can you' is more casual.
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Q4In a formal report, identify the correct word to complete: 'Please ___ the attached document before the meeting.'
Answer: D. verify
In business reports, we use 'verify' to mean 'check that everything is correct.' Phrasal verbs like 'look over' or 'look at' are more common in casual conversation.
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Q5In a formal email, identify the correct correction for: 'I'm sorry for the delay in replying to your email.'
Answer: D. I am sorry
To make this sentence formal, avoid using the short form 'I'm'. Instead, use the full words 'I am sorry'. Phrases like 'My bad' are only for casual chats with friends.
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Q6In a formal report, which phrase is appropriate to replace 'lots of people' in the sentence: '___ attended the conference.'
Answer: A. A large number of people
'A large number of people' sounds professional and objective. Words like 'lots of', 'tons of', or 'folks' are too informal for an official report.
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Q7In a formal email to a supplier, choose the correct verb to complete: 'We wish to ___ the contract next month.'
Answer: D. terminate
In business and law, 'terminate' is the formal word for ending a contract. Words like 'finish' or 'stop' are more common in daily conversation.
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Q8In a formal letter, identify the correct correction for: 'I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results.'
Answer: D. I am sure you will
Formal writing should not use short forms (contractions). Use the full words 'I am' and 'you will' instead of 'I'm' and 'you'll'.
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Q9In a formal job application, choose the best way to express your interest: 'I ___ apply for the position.'
Answer: B. would like to
'Would like to' is a polite, professional way to express what you want. Phrases like 'want to' or 'got to' are too casual for a job application.
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Q10In a formal email, choose the correct word to complete: 'Please ___ if the proposed time is suitable.'
Answer: B. confirm
'Confirm' is the professional word for checking if something is definitely true or okay. While 'check' is fine in daily life, 'confirm' is better for formal emails.
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Q11In a formal letter to a bank, which is the correct sentence?
Answer: B. I will not be able to pay.
Always use full words in formal letters. 'I will not be able to' is correct because it avoids short forms like 'can't', 'won't', or 'I'm'.
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Q12In a formal email to a professor, choose the best way to express gratitude: '___ your assistance with this project.'
Answer: D. Thank you for
'Thank you for' is the standard, polite way to say thanks in a professional or academic setting. 'Cheers' and 'Thanks' are for friends.
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Q13In a formal report, complete the sentence: 'The costs have ___ by 15% this quarter.'
Answer: C. increased
'Increased' is a formal verb used in business reports. Phrasal verbs like 'gone up' or 'climbed up' are more suitable for casual talking.
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Q14In a formal email, choose the correct form: 'It ___ a pleasure to meet you yesterday.'
Answer: A. was
We use 'was' because the meeting happened yesterday, so we need the past tense. Options 'is' and "'s" (a contraction of 'is' or 'has') are present tense and create a tense error with 'yesterday'. Formal writing also requires the full word 'was' rather than any contraction.
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Q15In a formal email, identify the correct replacement for: 'It's really hard to complete this task by tomorrow.'
Answer: C. considerably challenging
'Considerably challenging' is a professional way to say something is very difficult. 'Super difficult' and 'really hard' are common in casual speech, but not in formal writing.
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Q16In a formal letter, choose the correct verb: 'We intend to ___ the new software system.'
Answer: D. use
'Use' is simple and professional. 'Employing' and 'utilised' do not fit the grammar of this sentence (we need a base verb after 'to').
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Q17In a formal email, which is the correct sentence?
Answer: D. We would like to inform you.
Formal writing uses the full words 'We would' instead of the short form 'We'd'. Also, 'would like to' is the correct polite phrase.
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Q18In a formal enquiry to a shop, choose the best way to ask for information: '___ tell me the price?'
Answer: D. Could you please
'Could you please' is the most polite and professional way to ask for information. 'Can you' is more casual.
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Q19In a formal email to a customer, choose the correct verb: 'Please ___ the order form attached.'
Answer: B. complete
When we want someone to fill out a document, we ask them to 'complete' the form. 'Purchase' means to buy something, which doesn't fit with filling out a form.
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Q20In a formal letter, identify the correct correction for: 'I've attached the files for your review.'
Answer: B. I have
To make the sentence formal, change the short form 'I've' to the full words 'I have'.
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Q21In a formal email, choose the correct structure: '___ submit the application before Friday.'
Answer: B. It is advisable to
'It is advisable to' is a polite and professional way to give advice or a deadline. 'You gotta' and 'You'd better' are much too informal for a formal email.
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Q22In a formal report, choose the correct verb: 'We have ___ the issue thoroughly.'
Answer: A. investigated
'Investigated' is a formal verb that means 'studied something to find facts.' 'Peeked at' is too casual, and 'looking into' is a phrasal verb better used in conversation.
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Q23In a formal letter, which is the correct sentence?
Answer: A. They are coming tomorrow.
Formal letters do not use short forms like 'They're' or 'They'll'. Use the full words 'They are'.
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Q24In a formal email, choose the best way to state the topic: '___ the meeting yesterday.'
Answer: D. I am writing with regard to
'I am writing with regard to' is a standard formal way to introduce a topic. It avoids short forms and uses professional vocabulary.
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Q25In a formal report, choose the correct verb: 'The project will ___ on Monday.'
Answer: B. commence
'Commence' is the formal word for 'start'. In an official report, this sounds more professional than 'open' or 'start'.
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Q26In a formal letter, identify the correct correction for: 'I can't wait to hear from you.'
Answer: D. I look forward to hearing from you
'I look forward to hearing from you' is the standard polite closing for formal letters and emails. 'I can't wait' is too excited and casual for business.
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Q27In a formal hotel booking, choose the correct structure: 'I ___ a room for two nights.'
Answer: B. would like to reserve
'Reserve' is the formal term for booking a room, and 'would like to' is much more polite than 'want to' or 'need to'.
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Q28In a formal email, choose the correct verb: 'Please ___ the document to the manager.'
Answer: D. send
'Send' is a clear, professional verb. 'Dispatching' and 'forwarding' are verbs ending in -ing, which do not fit the grammar after 'Please'.
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Q29In a formal letter, which is the correct sentence?
Answer: D. Do not forget to sign.
In formal letters, we use full words like 'Do not' instead of the short form 'Don't'.
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Q30In a formal email, identify the correct correction for: 'Thanks for your quick reply.'
Answer: D. Thank you for your prompt response
'Prompt response' is the professional way to say 'quick reply.' Using 'Thank you' instead of 'Thanks' also makes it formal.
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Q31In a formal email, choose the correct verb: 'We regret that we cannot ___ your request.'
Answer: A. facilitate
'Facilitate' is a formal verb often used in business to mean making an action or process possible. It is more professional than just saying 'help'.
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Q32In a formal letter, which is the correct sentence?
Answer: A. I am not available.
To keep a letter formal, avoid the short form 'I'm'. 'I am not available' is the professional way to say you cannot do something.
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Q33In a formal email, choose the correct structure: 'The new system is ___ to use.'
Answer: D. straightforward
'Straightforward' is a more professional and precise word than 'easy' or 'simple' for describing a system that is clear to use.
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Q34In a formal report, choose the correct verb: 'Please ___ to the safety guidelines.'
Answer: B. adhere
'Adhere' is a formal verb meaning 'follow a rule or law'. It is usually followed by 'to' (adhere to the rules).
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Q35In a formal email, choose the correct form: 'It ___ been a pleasure working with you.'
Answer: B. has
Use the full word 'has' instead of the short form "'s" to keep the email professional.
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Q36In a formal letter, identify the correct correction for: 'Sorry for the mistake.'
Answer: A. I apologise for the error
'I apologise for the error' is the standard professional way to say sorry in writing. 'Error' is more formal than 'mistake'.
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Q37In a formal business email, choose the correct structure: 'We ___ the arrival of the shipment.'
Answer: D. anticipate
'Anticipate' is a formal business verb that means 'expect' or 'wait for'. It sounds more professional than 'look for' or 'wait for'.
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Q38In a formal letter, which is the correct sentence?
Answer: D. We are pleased to offer.
Avoid short forms like 'We're' in formal letters. 'We are pleased to offer' is the correct, full-word version.
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Q39In a formal email, choose the correct structure: 'I am writing to ___ more information.'
Answer: C. request
'Request' is the formal verb for 'ask for'. 'Want' and 'need' are common in casual speech but sound less polite in business emails.
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Q40In a formal report, choose the correct verb: 'We will ___ you of any changes.'
Answer: B. notify
'Notify' is a professional verb meaning 'inform' or 'tell officially.' 'Updating' is a verb ending in -ing, which doesn't fit after 'will'.
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Q41In a formal letter, identify the correct correction for: 'Shouldn't we discuss this?'
Answer: D. Should we not discuss this?
When asking a question in formal writing, avoid short forms like 'Shouldn't'. Use the full words 'Should we not' instead.
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Q42In a formal email, choose the correct phrase: 'The current situation is ___.'
Answer: C. highly unsatisfactory
'Highly unsatisfactory' is a formal and objective way to say something is very bad. It sounds professional rather than emotional.
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Q43In a formal report, choose the correct verb: 'The data ___ a clear trend.'
Answer: A. demonstrates
'Demonstrates' is a professional verb used to explain what data or facts show. It is more formal than 'showing'.
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Q44In a formal email, which is the correct sentence?
Answer: C. I would appreciate your help.
Use full words like 'I would' instead of 'I'd' in formal emails. 'I would appreciate your help' is the most complete and polite sentence.
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Q45In a formal email, identify the correct correction for: 'I've got a question about the invoice.'
Answer: A. I have a question regarding the invoice.
This version is formal because it avoids 'got' and the short form 'I've'. It also uses the professional word 'regarding' instead of 'about'.
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