Formal and Informal: Choosing Register · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Sounding right for the moment

Languages · Texts, Media & Translation · ages 15-16
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which set of signals reads as formal?

    • Nicknames, slang, no greeting
    • Loud voice, fast pace
    • Titles, full forms, greeting plus closing

  2. What is register?

    • The formality level chosen for a situation
    • The number of words in a text
    • The speed of speech

  3. When in doubt about a new situation, go one step more formal.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. You meet your exchange partner's parents for the first time. Which register fits, and why?

    • Silent, to stay safe
    • Informal, to seem fun
    • Formal, since they are older strangers

  5. Rewrite for formal: Hi, give me the notes.

    • Yo, notes now
    • Good morning. Could you please send me the notes
    • Hey, gimme notes

  6. A message is full of home-style words and short greetings. What register is it in?

    • Informal
    • Formal
    • Ancient

  7. Sam emails a host principal like a close friend, with slang and no greeting. What is the risk?

    • Sounding rude through too much closeness
    • Sounding too clever
    • Nothing ever matters in email

  8. Two notes ask the same favour. One says Hi, gimme the file and one says Hello, could you please share the file. What changed?

    • Greeting, modal form, and please: the whole register
    • Only the topic
    • Only the length
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_pfuaayT8UF-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Sounding right for the moment W1-mt_pfuaayT8UF-s1

  1. Titles, full forms, greeting plus closing · Titles, full forms, and proper framing mark the formal end.
  2. The formality level chosen for a situation · Register runs from chatty slang with friends to careful forms with strangers.
  3. True · Extra politeness protects you while you learn the norms.
  4. Formal, since they are older strangers · Formality shows respect until you learn how the family speaks.
  5. Good morning. Could you please send me the notes · The greeting, modal, and please all raise the register.
  6. Informal · Home words and short framing signal the informal end.
  7. Sounding rude through too much closeness · With strangers, casual forms read as disrespect, not warmth.
  8. Greeting, modal form, and please: the whole register · Each swap lifts the message one step toward formal.
Worksheet · LightMySky