Intermediate register and style. 45 questions on academic writing conventions, business writing grammar, and transforming informal into formal language.
What this test covers
- Academic Writing Conventions
- Business Writing Grammar
- Transforming Informal to Formal Language
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.
-
Q1In an academic essay, which sentence correctly avoids the first person?
Answer: A. It was found that the data were inconclusive.
In academic writing, we often use the passive voice ("It was found") and impersonal structures to maintain an objective tone. This avoids using first-person pronouns like "I", "my", or "we", which are generally seen as too personal for formal research reports. Note that "data" is formally treated as plural, which is why "were" is used instead of "was".
-
Q2In a formal business email, what is the best way to open a request?
Answer: A. I am writing to enquire about your services.
For formal business correspondence, "I am writing to enquire" is a standard opening that clearly states the purpose of the email. Phrases like "Hi", "Just asking", and "I'm emailing" are too informal or use contractions (like "I'm"), which should be avoided in professional writing. The verb "enquire" is also more formal than "ask".
-
Q3Transform the informal sentence 'Hi, just wanted to check if you got my last email' into a formal version.
Answer: C. I am writing to follow up on my previous correspondence.
The formal version uses full sentences without contractions and replaces informal vocabulary with professional alternatives. "Follow up" is a standard business term, and "correspondence" is a more formal noun than "email" or "mail". Choices like "Did you get...?" or "I am checking..." are too direct or casual for a professional register.
-
Q4Which sentence is appropriate for an academic report regarding vague language?
Answer: C. Numerous variables require careful consideration.
Academic style requires precision. We avoid vague words like "things", "very many", or "a lot of". Instead, we use specific nouns like "variables" and formal adjectives like "numerous". Using "require careful consideration" is also more professional than the phrasal verb "looking at" or the informal "think about".
-
Q5In a formal business letter, how should you apologise for an error?
Answer: D. I apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Formal apologies often use the fixed phrase "I apologise for any inconvenience caused" to maintain professional courtesy and a respectful distance. Expressions like "My bad" are slang, while "Sorry for the mistake" or "We are sorry" are slightly too informal for an official business letter.
-
Q6Transform the informal sentence 'We're really happy with your work!' into a formal business version.
Answer: B. We are delighted with the quality of your work.
Professional feedback uses formal adjectives like "delighted" and avoids contractions like "We're" to ensure a high register. Additionally, specifying "the quality of your work" adds a level of professional detail that is expected in business contexts, compared to simple words like "good" or "nice".
-
Q7Which sentence uses the correct academic connector to start a sentence?
Answer: B. Furthermore, the results were significant.
Academic writing uses formal linking words (connectors) like "Furthermore", "Moreover", or "In addition" to add information. Starting a sentence with "And", "So", or "Also" is common in speech but is generally considered too informal for academic essays.
-
Q8In a formal email to a client, which is the most polite request?
Answer: C. I would be grateful if you could send the document.
Using conditional structures like "I would be grateful if you could..." makes a request more polite and indirect, which is preferred in formal business relationships. Direct imperatives like "Send me..." or simple modals like "Can you...?" can seem too demanding or casual when speaking to a client.
-
Q9Transform the informal sentence 'Can you send me the file?' into a formal business request.
Answer: D. Could you please forward the file at your earliest convenience?
In a formal register, we often use the verb "forward" instead of "send" and add polite standard phrases like "at your earliest convenience" (meaning "as soon as you can"). This is more professional than the direct "I need you to send" or the casual phrasal verb "send the file over".
-
Q10Which sentence correctly uses hedged language in an academic report?
Answer: D. The findings suggest that the data are accurate.
Hedging is the use of cautious language to avoid making claims that are too strong. In academic writing, verbs like "suggest" or "indicate" are preferred over "prove" or "must be", as research results are rarely considered absolute proof. This shows a professional level of scientific caution.
-
Q11Complete the formal closing for a business letter: 'I look forward to ___.'
Answer: B. receiving your response.
In the phrase "I look forward to", the word "to" is a preposition, not part of a base verb. Therefore, it must be followed by a noun or a verb ending in -ing acting as a noun. "Receiving your response" correctly uses the verb ending in -ing. "Hearing you" is incorrect; the standard idiom is "hearing from you".
-
Q12Transform 'Sorry, we can't make it' into a formal business response.
Answer: A. I regret to inform you that we will be unable to attend.
Formal refusals use the opening "I regret to inform you," which is standard for delivering disappointing news. It also replaces the informal "can't make it" with the professional phrase "unable to attend" and avoids contractions like "can't" or "won't".
-
Q13Which sentence uses objective language in an academic report?
Answer: D. The results were analysed using statistical software.
To be objective and impersonal, academic writing frequently uses the passive voice ("The results were analysed"). This shifts the focus away from the researchers (avoiding "I" or "We") and onto the process and findings. Phrases like "found them good" or "looked at" are too subjective or informal.
-
Q14Identify the error in this formal email: 'Dear Mr. Jones, I am contacting you with regard to the contract. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require more info.'
Answer: D. The term 'info' is inappropriate for formal business writing.
In formal business and academic writing, you should avoid abbreviations and clippings. "Info" is a casual shortening of "information." To maintain a professional register, always use the full word. The rest of the email, including the salutation "Dear Mr. Jones" and the phrase "with regard to," is correctly formal.
-
Q15Transform 'I'm just checking in' into a formal follow-up sentence.
Answer: A. I am writing to enquire about the status of our request.
"Checking in" is a colloquial phrasal verb. The formal equivalent uses "enquire about the status," which is more precise and professional. It also avoids the contraction "I'm" and the vague phrase "what is up," which is too informal for business.
-
Q16Which sentence correctly replaces 'very' in an academic context?
Answer: D. The results were markedly significant.
Academic English avoids "very", "really", and "super", which are considered "empty" or informal intensifiers. Instead, use more precise adverbs like "markedly", "highly", or "considerably" to show the degree of significance.
-
Q17In a formal email, which phrase correctly expresses a request for further information?
Answer: D. Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
This sentence uses inversion in a conditional structure ("Should you require..." instead of "If you should require..."), which is a hallmark of high-level formal English. It also uses the formal vocabulary "require" instead of "need" and "further information" instead of "more info".
-
Q18Transform 'We're really busy right now' into a formal business statement.
Answer: C. We are currently experiencing a high volume of work.
To maintain a professional image, use a formal noun phrase like "a high volume of work" instead of informal adjectives like "busy" or slang like "swamped". Avoiding the contraction "We're" and using the formal adverb "currently" also raises the register.
-
Q19Which sentence is most suitable for an academic introduction?
Answer: A. This paper examines the factors influencing economic change.
An academic introduction uses specific, formal verbs like "examines" or "investigates" rather than "talk about" or "show". It also avoids vague terms like "things" or "big changes," opting for precise technical phrases like "factors influencing economic change."
-
Q20Which of the following is the most appropriate formal way to state a conclusion?
Answer: A. Consequently, the data indicates that the hypothesis is supported.
The connector "Consequently" is much more formal than "So" or "Basically". Additionally, saying a hypothesis is "supported" is more academically accurate and cautious than saying it is "correct" or "true." "Anyway" is far too informal for a conclusion.
-
Q21Transform 'Can you let me know?' into a formal request.
Answer: C. Please inform me at your earliest convenience.
"Inform me" is the formal equivalent of the phrasal verb "let me know." Adding the phrase "at your earliest convenience" is a standard professional way to ask for a response soon without being as demanding as "soon" or "now."
-
Q22Which sentence avoids informal connectors in an academic report?
Answer: D. However, the data was incomplete.
In formal writing, it is better to use conjunctive adverbs like "However" to show contrast. While "But" is grammatically correct, it is often seen as too informal to start a sentence in a professional report. "So" and "And" are also generally avoided as sentence-starters in this context.
-
Q23In a formal business email, which salutation is appropriate for a recipient whose name is unknown?
Answer: D. Dear Sir or Madam,
"Dear Sir or Madam" is the traditional, formal salutation used when you do not know the name of the person you are writing to. "Hi there" and "Hey" are informal, and "To whoever reads this" is considered unprofessional in business.
-
Q24Transform 'We think this is a good idea' into a formal academic statement.
Answer: A. It is suggested that this approach is favourable.
This transformation uses an impersonal construction ("It is suggested") to avoid the first-person "We think." It also replaces the informal "good idea" with more sophisticated vocabulary like "favourable approach," which is typical of an academic register.
-
Q25Which sentence uses the correct formal passive structure?
Answer: A. Data were collected from 200 participants.
The passive voice ("Data were collected") is preferred in research reports because the focus is on the data, not the person doing the work. This avoids "I" or "We". In formal academic English, "data" is often treated as a plural noun, which is why it takes the verb "were" instead of "was".
-
Q26In a formal business context, how do you refer to a previous email?
Answer: D. With reference to your email of 12th May.
"With reference to" is a formal fixed phrase used to link the current email to a previous one. While "Regarding" is also used in business, "With reference to your email of [date]" provides the most traditional and precise formal register.
-
Q27Transform 'I'll get back to you' into a formal business closing.
Answer: D. I will be in touch shortly.
The formal version avoids the contraction "I'll" and the phrasal verb "get back to". "I will be in touch" is a standard professional expression. "Shortly" is also a more formal adverb than "later" or "soon."
-
Q28Which sentence is appropriate for an academic report regarding results?
Answer: C. The study yielded favourable results.
Academic writing uses specific collocations (words that naturally go together) like "yielded results". The adjective "favourable" is more precise and formal than "nice", "good", or "great", which are considered too subjective for research.
-
Q29In a formal business letter, which is the correct sign-off when the recipient's name is known?
Answer: B. Yours sincerely,
In formal British English, if you address someone by name (e.g., "Dear Mr. Smith"), the standard sign-off is "Yours sincerely." "Cheers," "Best," and "Talk soon" are all too informal for a formal letter or official email.
-
Q30Transform 'I wanted to say sorry for the delay' into a formal sentence.
Answer: B. Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay.
The phrase "Please accept my sincere apologies" is a highly formal way to express regret. It is much more professional than "I wanted to say sorry" or "My apologies," which can feel too brief in a formal letter.
-
Q31Which sentence avoids first-person pronouns in an academic essay?
Answer: D. There is reason to believe the results show a trend.
By using the impersonal structure "There is reason to believe," the writer avoids using personal pronouns like "I", "My", or "We". This creates a more objective tone, suggesting that the evidence itself points to the conclusion.
-
Q32In a formal business email, how do you request a meeting?
Answer: A. Would it be possible to schedule a meeting?
Using "Would it be possible to..." is a polite, indirect way to make a request. It is more formal than "Can we...?" and much more professional than direct imperatives like "Let's meet," which can sound too forceful in a business context.
-
Q33Transform 'This proves that the system works' into a formal academic sentence.
Answer: C. This indicates that the system is functional.
Academic writing prefers cautious language; the verb "indicates" is better than "proves" because it allows for scientific doubt. "Functional" is also a more precise, technical term than the general verb "works" or the subjective adjective "good."
-
Q34Which sentence uses the correct formal vocabulary?
Answer: A. The extensive research was conducted in June.
Academic register relies on precise verbs and adjectives. "Extensive" is more descriptive than "big" or "huge," and "conducted" is the standard formal verb for carrying out research, whereas "done" or "made" are too informal.
-
Q35In a formal business letter, how do you introduce the topic?
Answer: B. I am writing in connection with your recent enquiry.
"I am writing in connection with" is a formal phrase used to introduce a specific subject. "Enquiry" is the formal word for a question or request for information. Using phrases like "about what you asked" is too informal for a professional letter.
-
Q36Transform 'Thanks for the quick reply' into a formal sentence.
Answer: D. Thank you for your prompt response.
In business writing, "prompt response" is the formal equivalent of "quick reply." Using "Thank you" instead of "Thanks" and avoiding informal adjectives like "fast" helps maintain a professional and respectful tone.
-
Q37Which sentence correctly uses formal passive voice?
Answer: C. The report was completed by the team.
The passive voice ("was completed") focuses on the object (the report) rather than the subjects (the team). This is standard in formal writing to emphasize the result of an action. Choices like "The team completed..." use the active voice, which is more direct and less formal.
-
Q38In a formal business email, how do you request clarification?
Answer: D. Could you please provide further clarification on this matter?
This is a standard formal request. "Provide further clarification" is more professional than "explain what you mean." Referring to "this matter" is also a common way to talk about a specific topic in formal business English.
-
Q39Transform 'I'm sorry for the trouble' into a formal apology.
Answer: B. I apologise for any inconvenience caused.
"I apologise for any inconvenience caused" is a very common formulaic expression in business. It is much more formal than using the adjective "sorry" and the informal nouns "trouble," "bother," or "hassle."
-
Q40Which sentence uses the correct formal connector?
Answer: C. Consequently, the project was delayed.
"Consequently" is a formal linking adverb used to show a result or cause-effect relationship. "But", "So", and "And" are coordinating conjunctions that are generally considered too informal to start a sentence in a formal report.
-
Q41In a formal business letter, which phrase is used to offer help?
Answer: B. Please let me know if you require further assistance.
This is the standard formal way to offer help. "Require further assistance" is the professional alternative to "need help" or "need anything." "Please let me know" is more polite than direct commands like "Call me."
-
Q42Transform 'What do you think?' into a formal request for an opinion.
Answer: B. I would appreciate your perspective on this matter.
Asking for someone's "perspective on this matter" is much more formal and professional than asking "What do you think?". The use of the conditional "I would appreciate" adds a layer of politeness suitable for a business environment.
-
Q43Which sentence uses formal, non-vague vocabulary?
Answer: A. A significant number of participants responded.
Academic writing avoids vague quantifiers like "a lot of" or "big number." "A significant number of" is a more precise and formal way to describe a quantity in a research context.
-
Q44In a formal email, which subject line is most appropriate?
Answer: C. Regarding the project proposal.
Formal subject lines should be clear and use professional language. Starting with "Regarding" is a standard way to indicate the topic. Avoid greetings ("Hey"), informal words ("Something"), or abbreviations ("info") in subject lines.
-
Q45Transform 'I don't know the answer' into a formal statement.
Answer: C. I am currently unable to provide an answer.
In a professional context, instead of the direct "I don't know," we use the more formal "I am currently unable to provide an answer." This sounds more competent and helpful. Avoiding the contraction "don't" or "I'm" also increases the level of formality.
Done? Submit to get your score.
Answer at least one question to submit. Questions you leave out count as skipped.