Formal vs Informal Tone Quiz: Writing Style Practice

1. Which sentence maintains a formal tone?

The data looks kinda weird.

The data appears unusual.

The data is super messed up.

The data looks funky.

Appears unusual uses academic vocabulary.

Explanation

Appears unusual uses academic vocabulary.

2. Which sentence shows a shift in tone?

The essay was excellent, but the ending was awful.

The essay had a strong conclusion.

The essay could use more detail.

The essay was thoughtful and complete.

Awful clashes with the formal tone of the first clause.

Explanation

Awful clashes with the formal tone of the first clause.

3. Which sentence avoids slang?

The experiment was lit.

The experiment was exciting.

The experiment was kinda cool.

The experiment was dope.

Exciting maintains a professional tone.

Explanation

Exciting maintains a professional tone.

4. Identify the sentence with consistent academic tone.

The story was amazing, like totally the best ever.

The story contained well-developed characters.

The story was cool and awesome.

The story was really neat.

It maintains a scholarly tone.

Explanation

It maintains a scholarly tone.

5. Which sentence shifts from formal to informal language?

The students completed the assignment successfully.

The students rocked the assignment.

The students completed their essays with detail.

The students followed the directions carefully.

Rocked is informal slang.

Explanation

Rocked is informal slang.

6. Which sentence maintains consistent style?

The instructions were clear and easy to follow.

The instructions were clear, and everyone nailed them.

The instructions were crystal clear, like totally.

The instructions were kinda hard to follow.

The tone stays even and appropriate.

Explanation

The tone stays even and appropriate.

7. Select two sentences that maintain a formal tone.

The project results were surprising.

The project was awesome.

The project results were unusual.

The project turned out super cool.

Both use neutral, formal word choice.

Explanation

Both use neutral, formal word choice.

8. Select two sentences that shift tone inappropriately.

The report was great, but the graphs stunk.

The lab was hard, but we tried our best.

The experiment rocked, and the teacher was proud.

The presentation was successful and clear.

Slang like stunk and rocked create inconsistent tone.

Explanation

Slang like stunk and rocked create inconsistent tone.

9. Formal writing should avoid contractions like “can’t” or “won’t.”

True

False

Only in dialogue

Only in speeches

Contractions are considered informal.

Explanation

Contractions are considered informal.

10. Mixing academic vocabulary with slang makes tone inconsistent.

True

False

Only if slang is repeated

Depends on audience

Combining formal and informal styles confuses tone.

Explanation

Combining formal and informal styles confuses tone.

11. Match the sentence to the tone. A) The speech was inspiring and well-organized. B) The speech was cool and awesome. 1) Formal 2) Informal

A–1, B–2

A–2, B–1

A–2, B–2

A–1, B–1

A uses professional tone; B uses slang.

Explanation

A uses professional tone; B uses slang.

12. Match the phrase to its tone. A) I am thrilled about the results. B) The results are totally epic. 1) Professional 2) Slang

A–1, B–2

A–2, B–1

A–2, B–2

A–1, B–1

Totally epic is slang; thrilled is professional.

Explanation

Totally epic is slang; thrilled is professional.

13. Fill in the blank with a formal replacement: The test was _____ difficult than expected.

Super

Very

Way more

Kinda

Very is formal; the others are informal intensifiers.

Explanation

Very is formal; the others are informal intensifiers.

14. Fill in the blank to keep tone consistent: The report was detailed and _____.

Awesome

Professional

Cool

Crazy

Professional maintains an academic tone.

Explanation

Professional maintains an academic tone.