Reflecting on Your Language Use

Question 1

You have to write two one‑sentence messages about the new school garden. One will be spoken at the student‑council meeting, where your classmates are listening, and the other will be printed on a letter you send to the city mayor. Which pair of sentences shows the best awareness of audience and purpose?

Accepted Answer

Student council: "Our garden is really cool – it’s full of tasty veggies and awesome bugs!" Mayor: "I respectfully request your support for expanding the school garden to benefit our community and educational programs."

Answer

Student council: "I respectfully request your support for expanding the school garden to benefit our community and educational programs." Mayor: "I respectfully request your support for expanding the school garden to benefit our community and educational programs."

Answer

Student council: "Our garden is really cool – it’s full of tasty veggies and awesome bugs!" Mayor: "Hey, can you help us get more stuff for the garden?"

Answer

Student council: "The horticultural project demonstrates a significant increase in photosynthetic efficiency across the cultivated plots." Mayor: "I respectfully request your support for expanding the school garden to benefit our community and educational programs."

Question 2

You need to write a short note to your teacher about a missing homework assignment. Which of the following shows you are thinking about your audience and purpose?

Accepted Answer

Begin with "Dear Ms. Lee," use polite language, and end with "Sincerely, [Your Name]".

Answer

Start the note with "Hey, what's up?" and use slang.

Answer

Write the whole note in ALL CAPS to make it stand out.

Answer

Add several smiley‑face emojis to show you are friendly.

Question 3

You wrote a short blog post for your friends about recycling: "Hey everyone! Recycling is super cool and we should totally have more bins everywhere. It's awesome and saves the planet!" You now need to change this into a letter to the city council asking them to put more recycling bins in your neighborhood. Which version shows the best understanding of audience and register?

Accepted Answer

Dear Council Members, I am writing to ask that our neighborhood receive additional recycling bins because it would benefit the community.

Answer

Hey everyone! Recycling is super cool and we should totally have more bins everywhere. It's awesome and saves the planet!

Answer

To whom it may concern, More recycling bins needed ASAP! Thanks.

Answer

Hey Council, can we please get more bins? It'd be awesome.

Try three questions

You need to write a short note to your teacher about a missing homework assignment. Which of the following shows you are thinking about your audience and purpose?

Keep going on this shelf