CLBA - Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment Writing Formal and Informal Emails Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are writing a formal email to your supervisor to request time off for a medical appointment. Which of the following subject lines is the most professional and clear?
- Quick Question
- APPOINTMENT!!!!
- Request for Time Off - [Your Name] (Correct answer)
- (no subject)
Correct answer: Request for Time Off - [Your Name]
A good professional subject line is clear, concise, and informative. 'Request for Time Off - [Your Name]' immediately tells the supervisor the email's purpose and who sent it. 'Quick Question' is too vague, 'APPOINTMENT!!!!' is unprofessional, and leaving the subject line blank is not recommended for formal communication.
Question 2: Which of the following is a common feature of an informal email written to a close colleague or friend?
- Using complex sentence structures and specialized vocabulary.
- Using contractions (e.g., 'I'm,' 'can't') and a casual tone. (Correct answer)
- Ending with the closing 'Yours faithfully,'.
- Attaching a formal resume and cover letter.
Correct answer: Using contractions (e.g., 'I'm,' 'can't') and a casual tone.
Informal emails are characterized by a relaxed and friendly tone, which often includes the use of contractions like 'I'm' and 'can't' that are typically avoided in formal writing. The other options are all characteristics of formal communication.
Question 3: You need to write an email to your building manager to report a leaking faucet in your apartment. Which of the following messages is the most appropriate for this formal request?
- My tap is dripping constantly. You need to fix this.
- Hey, just wanted to let you know the faucet in my bathroom is leaking. Thx.
- I am writing to report a maintenance issue in apartment 4B. The kitchen faucet has been leaking consistently for the past day. Please let me know when a plumber can take a look at it. (Correct answer)
- URGENT: Water problem in my unit.
Correct answer: I am writing to report a maintenance issue in apartment 4B. The kitchen faucet has been leaking consistently for the past day. Please let me know when a plumber can take a look at it.
This option is the most appropriate because it is polite, provides all the necessary details (the issue, the location, the duration), and clearly states the desired next step. It maintains a formal and respectful tone suitable for communicating with a building manager.
Question 4: In which of the following situations would it be most appropriate to write a formal email?
- Inviting your best friend to a movie.
- Submitting a formal complaint to a company about a faulty product. (Correct answer)
- Thanking a colleague for bringing you a coffee.
- Asking a team member for a quick update on a shared task.
Correct answer: Submitting a formal complaint to a company about a faulty product.
A formal complaint requires a professional tone, clear documentation of the issue, and a respectful but serious approach to ensure it is addressed properly. The other situations are all examples of informal communication between friends or close colleagues where a casual email or message would be suitable.
Question 5: You are writing an email to a potential employer, Ms. Jane Doe, to inquire about a job application you submitted. Which of the following is the most appropriate salutation (opening) for this email?
- Dear Ms. Doe, (Correct answer)
- Hey Jane,
- To Whom It May Concern,
- Hi there,
Correct answer: Dear Ms. Doe,
'Dear Ms. Doe,' is the standard and most professional salutation for a formal email when you know the recipient's name and title. 'Hey Jane,' and 'Hi there,' are too informal. 'To Whom It May Concern,' is only used when the recipient's name is unknown.
Question 6: You are emailing a coworker you are friendly with to confirm the time for a casual lunch meeting. Which of the following is the most suitable closing for your email?
- Sincerely,
- Respectfully yours,
- Regards,
- See you then, (Correct answer)
Correct answer: See you then,
'See you then,' is friendly, casual, and directly relevant to the email's content about a future meeting. 'Sincerely,', 'Regards,', and 'Respectfully yours,' are all more formal closings that would be out of place in this informal context.
CLBA - Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment Writing Formal and Informal Emails Questions and Answers
You are writing a formal email to your supervisor to request time off for a medical appointment.
Which of the following subject lines is the most professional and clear?