Formal vs Informal English Concepts

The video tutorial by BBC Learning English explores the differences between formal and informal English. It highlights how using the wrong level of formality can create a bad impression, similar to wearing inappropriate attire to a job interview. The tutorial provides an example of an informal email and discusses four key features that make it informal: vocabulary choice, use of abbreviations, active vs passive structures, and sentence complexity. The video concludes with a call to visit the BBC Learning English website for more resources.

Why is it important to use the correct level of formality in language?

• To confuse others

• To avoid giving a bad impression

• To impress your friends

• To sound more intelligent

What is the main issue with the language used in the example email?

• It is too long

• It is too informal

• It is too short

• It is too formal

Which word is suggested as a formal alternative to 'find out'?

• Discover

• Enquire

• Search

• Investigate

What is the formal equivalent of 'jobs' in the context of the email?

• Vacancies

• Roles

• Tasks

• Positions

What is a formal alternative to the abbreviation 'at the mo'?

• At the moment

• Currently

• Right now

• Presently

What is the suggested formal equivalent for 'uni'?

• College

• University

• Institute

• Academy

Why should abbreviations be avoided in formal writing?

• They are too casual

• They are too formal

• They are too long

• They are too complex

In formal writing, which structure is often preferred?

• Interrogative

• Active

• Passive

• Imperative

Which of the following is a formal way to express being promoted?

• I got a promotion

• They promoted me

• I was promoted

• I moved up

What is the benefit of using passive structures in formal writing?

• To sound more objective

• To focus on the subject

• To emphasize the action

• To make sentences shorter