ELPT ELPT - English Language Proficiency Formal and Informal Register 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence is most appropriate for an academic report?
- The experiment totally worked.
- The experiment worked out fine.
- The experimental results were conclusive. (Correct answer)
- We nailed the experiment.
Correct answer: The experimental results were conclusive.
Academic reports require formal, precise language that avoids intensifiers and slang.
Question 2: Which of the following is an informal discourse marker that should be avoided in formal essays?
- Furthermore
- However
- Anyway (Correct answer)
- Nevertheless
Correct answer: Anyway
'Anyway' is a casual discourse marker, whereas 'furthermore', 'however', and 'nevertheless' are formal.
Question 3: What makes the following sentence informal? 'The new policy is kind of confusing.'
- The use of 'new'
- The use of 'kind of' (Correct answer)
- The use of 'confusing'
- The use of 'policy'
Correct answer: The use of 'kind of'
'Kind of' is a vague, informal qualifier; formal writing uses words like 'somewhat' or 'rather'.
Question 4: Which version is the most formal rewrite of 'We need to fix this problem right away'?
- This issue needs fixing soon.
- This problem must be addressed immediately. (Correct answer)
- We gotta deal with this problem now.
- Let's fix this ASAP.
Correct answer: This problem must be addressed immediately.
Formal writing uses modal verbs like 'must', formal nouns like 'issue', and precise adverbs like 'immediately'.
Question 5: In which context would informal language be appropriate?
- A research thesis introduction
- A complaint letter to a manager
- A quick message to a coworker you know well (Correct answer)
- A grant proposal to a government agency
Correct answer: A quick message to a coworker you know well
Informal language is suitable for casual communication with familiar colleagues, not in official or professional documents.
Question 6: Which sentence demonstrates correct use of impersonal language typical in formal writing?
- I think the policy is effective.
- You can see that the policy works.
- The policy has proven to be effective. (Correct answer)
- In my opinion, the policy is good.
Correct answer: The policy has proven to be effective.
Formal writing uses impersonal constructions that avoid first and second person pronouns.
ELPT ELPT - English Language Proficiency Formal and Informal Register 3
Which sentence is most appropriate for an academic report?