Response Skills: Responding with Appropriate Register and Tone (TEKS.ELA.8.6.H)
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Texas 8th Grade ELA › Response Skills: Responding with Appropriate Register and Tone (TEKS.ELA.8.6.H)
Dear whoever reads this, I'm kind of buzzing about our school library because it's looking tired, like, super tired. We've got shelves that wobble and a bunch of old books nobody checks out. I think it would be awesome if y'all could throw some funds our way. Students at West Creek Middle would actually use new books and maybe air conditioning that doesn't wheeze. I'm not trying to make drama, but the vibe isn't great in there. If the Texas legislature could help, that'd be sweet. Hit me back if you need receipts or whatever. Thanks a bunch, from Maya.
Which revision best improves the register, vocabulary, tone, and voice for a formal letter to a Texas state representative requesting library funding?
Keep the casual opening, add a meme-style hook, call the library "a total flop," and end with "hit me back!"
Replace the greeting with "Dear Representative Martinez," state a clear request for specific library improvements and funding, remove slang (like "y'all" and "throw some funds"), and close with "Sincerely" plus full name and contact information.
Insert jokes comparing the library to a "zombie zone" to keep things entertaining, then sign off with just a first name.
Add heavy bureaucratic jargon such as "pursuant to fiscal amelioration of literary repositories," without clarifying what the school needs or why.
Explanation
B matches a formal audience and purpose by using an appropriate greeting, clear and specific request, professional vocabulary, and a respectful closing. The other options use slang, humor, or jargon that undermines clarity, tone, and purpose.
Greetings Team, I am composing this message to inform you that our eighth-grade committee proposes a social gathering at Barton Springs this Saturday following the fundraiser. It would be most appreciated if attendees could provide prompt confirmations of availability. Additionally, kindly bring nutritious snacks and appropriate recreational materials. Please refrain from tardiness, as punctuality is vital to group cohesion. If inclement weather occurs, we shall implement an alternative itinerary at a nearby indoor location. I anticipate your compliance and look forward to your participation. Respectfully submitted, Jordan, Communications Chair, West Ridge Middle School Student Council. See you there, hopefully. Thanks.
Which revision best adjusts the register, vocabulary, tone, and voice for a casual message to peers about plans after the fundraiser?
Keep it formal, add phrases like "hereunto" and "whereas," and list everyone's official titles to show organization.
Use inside jokes and slang like "skrrt," "no cap," and "bring fire grub," even if some classmates might not understand.
Make it demanding: "You must attend; points will be deducted if you're late."
Make it friendly and simple: "Hey everyone—after the car wash at Barton Springs on Saturday, let's hang out. Can you text yes/no by tonight? Bring snacks and a towel. If it rains, we'll move somewhere indoors. See you there!"
Explanation
D matches a peer audience and casual purpose by using simple, friendly language and clear requests. A is too formal, B is too slangy and potentially confusing, and C's harsh tone undermines the purpose.
For science, I'm writing about how the Guadalupe River is kind of struggling. Lately it's been super low, and people keep saying it's because of drought vibes and everybody watering lawns like crazy. I looked at some charts but they were confusing, so I'm mostly going off what my uncle said when we went fishing and barely caught anything. The river should just get more rain, obviously, but until then, I guess we should chill with sprinklers and stuff. Anyway, this topic seems important to Texans, so I hope this paper checks the box and makes sense to read today.
Which revision best improves the academic tone, vocabulary, and voice for an informative paragraph to a science teacher about the Guadalupe River?
Replace slang with precise terms, reference a source (class data or a local water authority), summarize one chart in a sentence, and explain drought and outdoor watering restrictions in an objective, third-person tone.
Make it chatty, add more fishing story details and some emojis to keep the teacher engaged.
Turn it into a poem with dramatic metaphors about a "thirsty river" and "angry skies" to show voice.
Fill it with graduate-level jargon and equations about "riparian evapotranspiration coefficients," even if you don't explain them.
Explanation
A aligns with an academic audience and purpose by using objective tone, credible sources, and precise vocabulary. The other choices are either too informal, off-genre (poetry), or inappropriately technical for the assignment.
Hey Bluebonnet Hardware Person, our robotics club needs cash, and your store is basically loaded with tools, so it makes sense for you to sponsor us. We're legit good, and we'll probably win state, so it's like advertising for you. Could you drop $500 by Friday? We can slap your logo on stuff and give you a shout-out at the pep rally. If this is complicated, maybe you can just give us a pile of supplies instead. I don't really know how sponsorships work, but we're flexible. Text me back fast so we can lock this in. —Drew today please.
Which revision best improves the professional register, vocabulary, tone, and voice for an email to a local business requesting a robotics club sponsorship?
Keep the casual opener, add more hype, and insist on money by Friday with extra exclamation points.
Warn that students will shop elsewhere if the store doesn't sponsor, to "show what the community thinks."
Use a professional email format: "Dear Bluebonnet Hardware Manager," briefly describe the club, request sponsorship respectfully with options (donation or supplies), explain benefits, offer a flexible timeline, and close with thanks and contact information.
Address it to "Yo Hardware Fam," add emojis, and sign off with a nickname to sound fun and memorable.
Explanation
C fits a professional audience and goal by being courteous, specific, and flexible. A and D are too informal for business correspondence, and B's threatening tone undermines the purpose.
Dear Austin City Council, I'm writing because our block by Lamar Middle School is a mess at drop-off. Cars zoom, kids dart, and it seriously freaks people out. We need a crosswalk with those flashy lights, like, yesterday. My neighbor almost got clipped last week, and my little brother says he feels like he's playing Frogger. I know money's tight, but this is basic safety. Maybe use that grant the city posted about? If you can come look one morning, you'll totally see what I mean. Thanks for listening and please help make our street less sketchy and more safe.
Which revision best improves the letter's register and tone for addressing city officials?
Replace 'Thanks for listening and please help make our street less sketchy and more safe.' with 'Thanks for listening; please make our street safer.'
Change 'If you can come look one morning, you'll totally see what I mean.' to 'If y'all swing by, you'll see the chaos—it's wild!'
Replace 'We need a crosswalk with those flashy lights, like, yesterday.' with 'I respectfully request installation of a marked crosswalk with flashing beacons to enhance student safety during arrival and dismissal times.'
Replace 'My neighbor almost got clipped last week' with 'My neighbor was nearly annihilated last week,'
Explanation
Choice C adopts a formal, precise request suitable for public officials and clarifies the purpose. The other options are either too informal, exaggerated, or still casual.
Hello friends, I cordially invite you to my birthday gathering this Saturday at 3 p.m. at my residence. Attendees will engage in games and consume refreshments, including cake and assorted snacks. Please notify me of your availability at your earliest convenience so I may make appropriate preparations. Casual attire is acceptable. Gifts are not required, though your presence would be sincerely appreciated. My parent will supervise, and transportation assistance can be arranged upon request. Weather permitting, we shall also utilize the backyard. Kindly direct any inquiries to me. I look forward to celebrating this occasion with each of you. Thanks!
Which revision best adjusts the register and voice for a friendly group text to peers?
Change the opening to: 'Hey! Birthday hang at my place Sat at 3. Games, snacks, cake. Can you come?'
Replace 'Gifts are not required' with 'Presents are strictly prohibited per event policy.'
Replace 'Please notify me of your availability at your earliest convenience' with 'RSVP utilizing the provided scheduling interface.'
Change 'I look forward to celebrating this occasion with each of you' to 'Henceforth, I anticipate commemorating this auspicious event with your esteemed selves.'
Explanation
Choice A uses concise, friendly language appropriate for texting peers. The other options are overly formal or jargony for a casual context.
Texas Hill Country springs are super cool because they give us nice places to swim and hang out, like at Barton Springs and the Comal. But sometimes they get gross after big storms, and that's not great. I read some article that said the aquifer under there is like a giant sponge. If people dump trash or build stuff all over, the water can get messed up. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but we should probably test the water more and teach folks not to pollute, so we can keep the springs clear and chill for the long run.
For an academic paragraph to a science teacher, which revision best improves the register and vocabulary?
Replace 'super cool' with 'epic' to create stronger voice.
Replace 'I read some article' with 'I peeped an article online' for a more authentic tone.
Replace 'clear and chill' with 'transparent and chillaxing' for stylistic consistency.
Revise the first three sentences to: 'Springs in the Texas Hill Country, such as Barton Springs and the Comal, depend on the Edwards Aquifer. After storms, runoff can decrease water quality. According to local agencies, protecting recharge zones helps maintain safe recreation.'
Explanation
Choice D uses precise, objective language and appropriate academic tone while maintaining the paragraph's purpose. The other choices introduce informal slang or imprecise wording.
Hi! I'm from Westview Middle School and we're doing a fundraiser next month. Your cupcakes are legit the best, so can you hook us up with a donation? We're trying to raise money for new library chairs because the current ones squeak like crazy. If you gave, we'd totally shout you out on our socials and posters. We need about two dozen, but honestly whatever you've got works. I can swing by whenever. Let me know ASAP because we're trying to lock stuff in by Friday. Thanks a ton and please say yes because we're counting on you! Very grateful.
Which revision best improves the tone and register for professional correspondence with a local business owner?
Change 'we're trying to lock stuff in by Friday' to 'we are exigently endeavoring to finalize procurement by Friday.'
Replace the greeting and request with: 'Dear [Owner's Name], I am a student at Westview Middle School planning a library fundraiser next month. Would your bakery consider donating two dozen cupcakes? We will recognize your business in event materials and on our school channels. I can pick up at a time convenient for you. Thank you for your consideration.'
Replace 'Thanks a ton and please say yes because we're counting on you!' with 'Say yes or the fundraiser will flop.'
Change 'Your cupcakes are legit the best' to 'Your cupcakes are okay, I guess,' to sound humble.
Explanation
Choice B is courteous, clear, and professional while making a specific request and offering recognition. The other options are either too informal, too aggressive, or undermine persuasion.