Formal vs Informal Language

1. Alexander is writing a conclusion to his school report about the Manhattan Project. Below is the passage he’s reporting: Scientists like Fermi and Oppenheimer made sure that the United States didn’t fall behind other nations in the race to produce nuclear power. Falling behind would have totally been a bummer. The Manhattan project reached its goal. It also started a dangerous race for weapons. It all began with Einstein’s letter to President Roosevelt in 1939. Which part of Alexander's conclusion is inappropriate for this type of report?

• Falling behind would have totally been a bummer.

• The secretive Manhattan project reached its goal.

• It also started a dangerous race for weapons.

• It all began with Einstein's letter to President Roosevelt.

Chris writes the following introduction for a school report on lemurs.

Lemurs are small animals that belong to the primate family. They are from Madagascar, a large island off the east coast of Africa. Lemurs are very energetic and agile, moving from tree branch to tree branch as if they were flying. You guys should totally check them out at the Vilas Zoo.

2. Which part of Chris's introduction is inappropriate for a report?

• They are from Madagascar, a large island off the east coast of Africa.

• Lemurs are very energetic and agile.

• You guys should totally check them out at the Vilas zoo.

• Lemurs are small animals that belong to the primate family.

Astronauts wear spacesuits when they are in space. Spacesuits allow astronauts to work in outer space. The suits protect them from extreme weather conditions, even when the temperature is as low as minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 250 degrees Fahrenheit. In space, space dust travels at a speed that is faster than a bullet. The suits not only protect the astronauts from space dust, but they also have movable glass flaps called visors to protect their eyes from the bright, glaring light of the Sun. Spacesuits act as armor to protect astronauts from all kinds of harmful radiation. They also provide oxygen to astronauts while they are working in space. But hold on and sit tight guys, for this ain't all! These spacesuits are built in such a way that they can hold water too for our space travelers! Which wording is informal?

• A. In space, space dust travels at a speed that is faster than a bullet.

• B.Spacesuits act as armor to protect astronauts from all kinds of harmful radiation.

• C.But hold on and sit tight guys, for this ain't all!

  
  

• D.Astronauts wear spacesuits when they are in space.

Jimbo,

Great to see you and Madge Friday night. You guys can sure cook up a mean barbecue! Next time, dinner's on us. Still up for some golf this Saturday? Let me know, buddy.

Be seeing ya,

Jack

What are the clues that this is a personal letter from one friend to another, and not a business letter?

• Informal wording like "You guys" and "Be seeing ya"

• Use of nicknames like "Jimbo" and "Jack"

• The subject matter of the letter

• All of these are clues

Elena wrote an essay on why uniforms are needed in schools.

Uniforms in Schools

Many people would disagree that uniforms in schools are necessary. However, wearing a uniform creates a feeling of unity and belonging in students. Why do you think sports team wear uniforms? They do not wear uniforms to kinda look cute and sweet! Rather, team members wear uniforms so that they can be identified easily. Uniforms also inspire sports players to do their best for their team.

Another benefit of wearing uniforms is that students do not have to deal with the pressure of competing with others by wearing stylish or trendy clothes every day. They can focus on learning instead of getting distracted by checking to see what fellow students are wearing.

Students in schools where uniforms are essential are more disciplined. The practice of wearing uniforms helps children save time, which they would otherwise

spend deciding what they should wear. Therefore, uniforms should be essential in every school. Mad props to the dude who came up with the idea of uniforms. Which words are informal?

• Mad props to the dude who came up with the idea of uniforms.

• However, wearing a uniform creates a feeling of unity and belonging in students.

• Students in schools where uniforms are essential are more disciplined.

• Uniforms also inspire sports players to do their best for their team.

The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is a novel about a futuristic society. The story is about a place where everything is controlled and people do not make their own choices. At the age of 12, every child is assigned to a job. The main character, Jonas, has the job of Receiver of Memory. He is responsible for the memories of his entire community.

The book is totally weird in some places, but it is still a pretty cool story. The Giver can be found in the school library.

Which part of this passage contains inappropriate language for a book report?

• "The book is totally weird in some places, but it is still a pretty cool story."

• "The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is a novel about a futuristic society."

• "He is responsible for the memories of his entire community."

• "At the age of 12, every child is assigned to a job."

The following is a segment from Angela’s school report about figs.

For many years, the fig has been considered to be a fruit, but it is actually an inverted flower. People have grown figs for centuries. In the United States, figs are grown mainly in Texas and California. Fig Fest is a very cool event that happens every year in California. The Fig Fest even has a fig dish contest. One of the most off the hook things about figs is that you can cook them with cheese or even cook them in a stew. Many restaurant chefs like to put fig dishes on their menus.

Which sentence would Angela's teacher probably ask her to revise?

• "One of the most off the hook hings about figs is that you can cook them with cheese. . ."

• "In the United States, figs are grown mainly in Texas and California."

• "Many restaurant chefs like to put fig dishes on their menus."

• "For many years, the fig has been considered to be a fruit, but it is actually an inverted flower."

Kevin writes the following letter to Mrs. Henderson, who teaches the advanced English class at his school.

Dear Mrs. Henderson,

Thank you for letting me observe your class today. I am interested in enrolling in the advanced English class next year. I believe your class would give me the skills that I need to succeed throughout high school and in college. For most of my life, I have enjoyed reading and writing more than any other subjects in school. I'm really into learning about literature and all that stuff. Someday, I hope to be the first person in my family to go to college, and I want to become an English teacher.

My English teacher Mr. Bryant has been an inspiration to me, and he said he will give you the forms you need. There are other students in my class who are also thinking about enrolling in your class. I hope you'll give me the chance to enroll in your class with my peers. I look forward to your reply, and I thank you for considering me.

Sincerely,

Kevin

Which sentence from Kevin's letter should probably be changed?

• "I'm really into learning about literature and all that stuff."

• "My English teacher Mr. Bryant has been an inspiration to me."

• "Someday, I hope to be the first person in my family to go to college."

• "I hope you'll give me the chance to enroll in your class with my peers."

Dominic, the student body president at Crockett High School, gave the following speech to the school board.

“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for hearing me today. My fellow students and I have the privilege of eating lunch each day in our school cafeteria. However, this is not always a pleasant experience. We currently only have two lunch lines available. These lines are long, and they usually serve totally disgusting food. On behalf of the students, I request that you would provide us with a snack bar in addition to the lunch lines. This snack bar could serve an awesome selection of deli sandwiches and other convenient foods. It would also cut down on the crowded lunch lines and make lunchtime more enjoyable. Thank you again for your time.”

9. A phrase that should be removed or replaced with more appropriate language would be..

• "it would also cut down"

• "these lines are long"

• "totally disgusting food"

• "my fellow students and I"

Is the following sentence formal or informal? "Sometimes me and Mrs. R like to go to Marshalls and chill."

• Formal

• Informal