APTIS Formal and Informal Emails 5 — 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.
APTIS Formal and Informal Emails 5
Which phrase would you use in an informal email to ask a friend for a favor?