Establish/Maintain a Formal Explanatory Style - 8th Grade Writing
Card 1 of 25
Which sentence is more formal: "The test was super hard" or "The test was extremely difficult"?
Which sentence is more formal: "The test was super hard" or "The test was extremely difficult"?
Tap to reveal answer
The test was extremely difficult. "Extremely difficult" uses formal modifiers.
The test was extremely difficult. "Extremely difficult" uses formal modifiers.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the best formal replacement for "get" in this context: "Students get better at reading"?
What is the best formal replacement for "get" in this context: "Students get better at reading"?
Tap to reveal answer
improve. "Improve" is more precise than the vague "get."
improve. "Improve" is more precise than the vague "get."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best formal replacement for the informal verb "deal with" in an academic essay.
Identify the best formal replacement for the informal verb "deal with" in an academic essay.
Tap to reveal answer
address. "Address" is formal; "deal with" is colloquial.
address. "Address" is formal; "deal with" is colloquial.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best maintains formal style by avoiding exaggeration: "always" or "often"?
Which option best maintains formal style by avoiding exaggeration: "always" or "often"?
Tap to reveal answer
often. "Often" avoids absolute statements and exaggeration.
often. "Often" avoids absolute statements and exaggeration.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the best revision to remove a rhetorical question and keep a formal style?
What is the best revision to remove a rhetorical question and keep a formal style?
Tap to reveal answer
Replace the question with a clear declarative statement. Rhetorical questions are too conversational for formal writing.
Replace the question with a clear declarative statement. Rhetorical questions are too conversational for formal writing.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which choice best maintains formal style by avoiding emotional language: "tragic" or "significant"?
Which choice best maintains formal style by avoiding emotional language: "tragic" or "significant"?
Tap to reveal answer
significant. "Significant" is neutral; "tragic" shows bias.
significant. "Significant" is neutral; "tragic" shows bias.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is one key rule for maintaining a formal style consistently across an entire piece of writing?
What is one key rule for maintaining a formal style consistently across an entire piece of writing?
Tap to reveal answer
Use objective, precise language and avoid slang, contractions, and casual tone throughout. Consistency in formal tone strengthens academic writing.
Use objective, precise language and avoid slang, contractions, and casual tone throughout. Consistency in formal tone strengthens academic writing.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the best formal replacement for "plus" used as a transition between ideas in an essay?
What is the best formal replacement for "plus" used as a transition between ideas in an essay?
Tap to reveal answer
Additionally. "Additionally" is an academic transition word.
Additionally. "Additionally" is an academic transition word.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which sentence better maintains formal style: "This shows" or "This evidence demonstrates"?
Which sentence better maintains formal style: "This shows" or "This evidence demonstrates"?
Tap to reveal answer
This evidence demonstrates. Adds specificity with "evidence" and stronger verb.
This evidence demonstrates. Adds specificity with "evidence" and stronger verb.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the best formal replacement for "kind of" in a sentence describing uncertainty?
What is the best formal replacement for "kind of" in a sentence describing uncertainty?
Tap to reveal answer
somewhat. "Somewhat" is precise; "kind of" is too casual.
somewhat. "Somewhat" is precise; "kind of" is too casual.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the definition of a formal style in an explanatory or informative essay?
What is the definition of a formal style in an explanatory or informative essay?
Tap to reveal answer
Objective, precise, and academic language appropriate for an informed audience. Formal style avoids casual language and personal opinions.
Objective, precise, and academic language appropriate for an informed audience. Formal style avoids casual language and personal opinions.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which word best replaces the informal term "kids" in a formal explanatory essay?
Which word best replaces the informal term "kids" in a formal explanatory essay?
Tap to reveal answer
children. "Children" is the formal term; "kids" is informal.
children. "Children" is the formal term; "kids" is informal.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option is the most formal replacement for "a lot of" in academic writing?
Which option is the most formal replacement for "a lot of" in academic writing?
Tap to reveal answer
many. "Many" is precise; "a lot of" is too casual.
many. "Many" is precise; "a lot of" is too casual.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best formal replacement for the informal word "stuff" in an essay about materials.
Identify the best formal replacement for the informal word "stuff" in an essay about materials.
Tap to reveal answer
materials. "Materials" is specific; "stuff" is vague and informal.
materials. "Materials" is specific; "stuff" is vague and informal.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which phrase best replaces "I think" to maintain a formal, objective tone in an explanation?
Which phrase best replaces "I think" to maintain a formal, objective tone in an explanation?
Tap to reveal answer
Evidence suggests. Removes personal opinion and maintains objectivity.
Evidence suggests. Removes personal opinion and maintains objectivity.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the best formal replacement for the informal transition "anyway" in an essay?
What is the best formal replacement for the informal transition "anyway" in an essay?
Tap to reveal answer
In any case. "In any case" is formal; "anyway" is conversational.
In any case. "In any case" is formal; "anyway" is conversational.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option avoids second-person and maintains formal style: "You can see" or "It is evident"?
Which option avoids second-person and maintains formal style: "You can see" or "It is evident"?
Tap to reveal answer
It is evident. Avoids addressing the reader directly with "you."
It is evident. Avoids addressing the reader directly with "you."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the best formal replacement for the contraction "they're" when it means "they are"?
What is the best formal replacement for the contraction "they're" when it means "they are"?
Tap to reveal answer
they are. Expands the contraction to its full form.
they are. Expands the contraction to its full form.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best revision to remove slang: "The results were awesome."
Identify the best revision to remove slang: "The results were awesome."
Tap to reveal answer
The results were impressive. "Impressive" is formal; "awesome" is slang.
The results were impressive. "Impressive" is formal; "awesome" is slang.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option is more formal for an essay: "stuff" or "materials"?
Which option is more formal for an essay: "stuff" or "materials"?
Tap to reveal answer
Materials. "Stuff" is vague and casual; "materials" is specific and formal.
Materials. "Stuff" is vague and casual; "materials" is specific and formal.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best maintains formal style when citing evidence: "This shows" or "This indicates"?
Which option best maintains formal style when citing evidence: "This shows" or "This indicates"?
Tap to reveal answer
This indicates. "Indicates" is more precise and academic than "shows."
This indicates. "Indicates" is more precise and academic than "shows."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best maintains a formal style: "kids" or "children"?
Which option best maintains a formal style: "kids" or "children"?
Tap to reveal answer
Children. "Children" is the formal term; "kids" is colloquial.
Children. "Children" is the formal term; "kids" is colloquial.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the definition of a formal style in an informative or explanatory essay?
What is the definition of a formal style in an informative or explanatory essay?
Tap to reveal answer
Objective, academic language appropriate for an educated audience. Formal style avoids casual language and maintains professional tone.
Objective, academic language appropriate for an educated audience. Formal style avoids casual language and maintains professional tone.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find and correct the contraction to maintain formal style: "The results aren't consistent."
Find and correct the contraction to maintain formal style: "The results aren't consistent."
Tap to reveal answer
Correct: "The results are not consistent.". Contractions like "aren't" should be expanded in formal writing.
Correct: "The results are not consistent.". Contractions like "aren't" should be expanded in formal writing.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find and correct the informal phrase: "The experiment was kind of successful."
Find and correct the informal phrase: "The experiment was kind of successful."
Tap to reveal answer
Correct: "The experiment was somewhat successful.". "Kind of" is informal; "somewhat" is formal.
Correct: "The experiment was somewhat successful.". "Kind of" is informal; "somewhat" is formal.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →