Register and Style Flashcards
7 cards from real CAE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Register and Style flashcards as text
Which phrase is most appropriate for opening a formal report?
Answer: This report aims to examine the findings of...
Formal reports use impersonal, objective language such as 'This report aims to examine,' avoiding contractions and informal tone.
Which sentence demonstrates an appropriate use of hedging language in academic writing?
Answer: The results suggest that regular exercise may contribute to improved mood.
Hedging language like 'suggest' and 'may' is used in academic writing to express cautious claims rather than absolute statements.
In which of the following contexts would a formal register be LEAST appropriate?
Answer: A text message to a close friend
Text messages to close friends typically use an informal register; formal language in this context would sound unnatural and stiff.
Which of the following is a characteristic of formal written English?
Answer: Nominalization, such as using 'investigation' instead of 'investigate'
Nominalization — converting verbs or adjectives into nouns — is a hallmark of formal academic and professional writing in English.
A student writes: 'The company's profits went up a lot last year.' Which revision makes this sentence more formal?
Answer: The company's profits increased significantly during the previous year.
'Increased significantly' replaces the informal 'went up a lot,' and 'the previous year' is more formal than 'last year' in written contexts.
Which of the following best describes the term 'register' in English language use?
Answer: The variety of language used depending on the social context and audience
Register refers to the variety or style of language adjusted according to the social situation, purpose, and audience, ranging from formal to informal.
Which opening is most appropriate for a CAE-style formal letter of application?
Answer: I am writing with reference to the position advertised in...
'I am writing with reference to' is a standard formal opening for a letter of application, avoiding contractions and informal vocabulary.