APTIS Formal and Informal Emails 5 โ Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which phrase would you use in an informal email to ask a friend for a favor?
- I hereby request your assistance.
- I would be most grateful if you could oblige.
- Could you do me a favor and pick me up? (Correct answer)
- Your cooperation in this matter is required.
Correct answer: Could you do me a favor and pick me up?
Informal emails use natural, conversational phrasing like 'Could you do me a favor and pick me up?'
Question 2: In the APTIS writing test, which feature is most likely to cost you marks in an email task?
- Writing more than the minimum word count
- Using the wrong register for the given situation (Correct answer)
- Dividing your email into clear paragraphs
- Including a subject line
Correct answer: Using the wrong register for the given situation
Using the wrong register (e.g., informal language in a formal email) is a major error in APTIS email writing tasks.
Question 3: Which sentence shows an appropriate way to reference a previous email in a formal reply?
- You emailed me, remember?
- Further to your email dated July 20th, I am writing to... (Correct answer)
- Got your message, here's my reply.
- So you wrote to me and I'm writing back.
Correct answer: Further to your email dated July 20th, I am writing to...
'Further to your email dated...' is a formal phrase that politely acknowledges a previous communication.
Question 4: What does 'BCC' mean in email communication?
- Blind Carbon Copy (Correct answer)
- Back-Channel Communication
- Bulk Copy Contact
- Business Courtesy Copy
Correct answer: Blind Carbon Copy
'BCC' stands for 'Blind Carbon Copy,' meaning recipients in the BCC field cannot see each other's addresses.
Question 5: Which sentence from an email body shows incorrect register mixing?
- I am writing to express my concern regarding the delay.
- Could you please provide an update at your earliest convenience?
- We are totally gonna sort this out ASAP, no worries! (Correct answer)
- I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
Correct answer: We are totally gonna sort this out ASAP, no worries!
Mixing slang ('totally gonna', 'no worries') with formal context is a register error that should be avoided.
Question 6: You receive a complaint email from a customer. Which opening for your formal reply is most appropriate?
- Chill out, we'll fix it.
- Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. (Correct answer)
- We got your complaint.
- You're right, we messed up.
Correct answer: Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
'Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention' acknowledges the complaint professionally and politely.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the difference between formal and informal email vocabulary?
- Formal emails use short, punchy words; informal emails use long academic words.
- Formal emails use longer, more complex vocabulary; informal emails use simple, everyday words. (Correct answer)
- Both registers use identical vocabulary in standard email writing.
- Informal emails always use more words than formal emails.
Correct answer: Formal emails use longer, more complex vocabulary; informal emails use simple, everyday words.
Formal emails tend to use more sophisticated vocabulary (e.g., 'commence' instead of 'start'), while informal emails favor simple, everyday language.