Formal language

Writing essays is only about expressing your opinion

• True

• False

Answer explanation

It's also about providing proof to your position

It is difficult for scientists to FIND OUT whether this illness has a cure.

• acceptable

• unacceptable

Answer explanation

It's informal!

(ascertain)

It's inconceivable for the beggars to GO AGAINST the government

• acceptable

• unacceptable

Answer explanation

(oppose would be better)

The royal family are doing their best to RETAIN / KEEP their power

• retain

• keep

What is wrong with the sentence?

Dealing with poverty is about reinforcing the laws.

• "reinforcing" is informal

• "dealing" is informal

• "is about" is informal

• everything is correct in terms of register

Answer explanation

it is better to use "it concerns"

What is wrong with the sentence?

The abbreviation PTSD stands for "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder"

• PTSD does not stand for that

• "stands for" is informal

• everything is correct

Answer explanation

we use "represent" instead

What is wrong with the sentence?

Musicians like him normally accumulate huge stadiums

• "accumulate" is informal

• "normally" is informal

• everything is correct

We can never use phrasal verbs in essays because they are informal

• True

• False

Answer explanation

No! There are some FORMAL phrasal verbs. Let's have a look at them!

The academics will ___(result in/eventually do sth)___ receiving lousy pensions.

This illness has to be ___(eradicated)___ completely