Formal vs Informal Language - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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KS2 · Grammar

Y6.11 Formal vs Informal Language

Calculators not allowed · about 40 minutes
Total Marks
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

Two Messages About the Summer Fete

Source written for Revision Library (original, copyright-free). Written specifically for this Year 6 grammar worksheet pack; not derived from or based on any published work, past paper or copyrighted text.

Highfield Primary School is holding its annual summer fete. Read the two extracts below: the first is part of a formal letter sent home to parents and carers, and the second is an informal text message between two pupils, Ben and Sam.

Extract A: from a letter sent by the school office to parents and carers

Dear Parents and Carers, I am writing to inform you that the school's annual summer fete will take place on Saturday 20th June from midday until three o'clock. Refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon, and all proceeds will be donated to the school library fund. We would be grateful if you could return the enclosed reply slip by Friday 12th June. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office. Yours faithfully, Mrs J. Ahmed, Headteacher

Extract B: a text message from Ben to his friend Sam

Hey mate! U coming to the fete on Sat? Gonna be well good, there's cakes and stuff and I reckon Mr Patel's doing the water balloons again lol. Can't wait tbh. Let me know asap!

1
Look back at the two extracts above. For each phrase below, tick whether it comes from Extract A (the formal letter) or Extract B (the text message).
(a)"Gonna be well good"(1)
  • A) Extract A - the formal letter
  • B) Extract B - the text message
(b)"I am writing to inform you"(1)
  • A) Extract A - the formal letter
  • B) Extract B - the text message
(c)"Can't wait tbh"(1)
  • A) Extract A - the formal letter
  • B) Extract B - the text message
(d)"We would be grateful if"(1)
  • A) Extract A - the formal letter
  • B) Extract B - the text message
2
Ben's text message is printed again below. Circle four words or abbreviations that show it is informal - features you would not use in formal writing.

Hey mate! U coming to the fete on Sat? Gonna be well good, there's cakes and stuff and I reckon Mr Patel's doing the water balloons again lol. Can't wait tbh. Let me know asap!
(4)
3
The school's letter is printed again below. Underline four words or phrases that make the writing sound formal and polite.

I am writing to inform you that the school's annual summer fete will take place on Saturday 20th June. We would be grateful if you could return the enclosed reply slip by Friday 12th June. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
(4)
4
Sort the words from the box into the correct column of the table: Formal or Informal.
Word bank: children | guy | loads | kids | numerous | gentleman
FormalInformal
(6)
5
Complete the table below by writing the formal full form of each informal contraction.
Informal (contraction)Formal (full form)
don't
can't
it's
we'll
(4)
6
Rewrite each sentence, replacing the word in brackets with a more formal word or phrase.
(a)Several ___ took part in the relay race. (kids)(1)
(b)The head teacher hopes to ___ more parents next year. (get)(1)
(c)There was a ___ turnout at the fete. (massive)(1)
7
Circle the more formal sentence in each pair.
(a)A) Give me the form. B) Could you give me the form, please?(1)
  • A) Give me the form.
  • B) Could you give me the form, please?
(b)A) I need it by Friday. B) I would be grateful if you could provide it by Friday.(1)
  • A) I need it by Friday.
  • B) I would be grateful if you could provide it by Friday.
(c)A) Sort it out ASAP. B) Please could you resolve this as soon as possible?(1)
  • A) Sort it out ASAP.
  • B) Please could you resolve this as soon as possible?
8
Tick the two formal connectives that could replace 'and' in a formal school report.

A) Also
B) Furthermore
C) Then
D) In addition
  • A) Also
  • B) Furthermore
  • C) Then
  • D) In addition
9
Tick the sentence in each pair that is written in the passive voice, as would be expected in a formal notice.
(a)A) We will serve refreshments from midday. B) Refreshments will be served from midday.(1)
  • A) We will serve refreshments from midday.
  • B) Refreshments will be served from midday.
(b)A) The head teacher will present the prizes. B) The prizes will be presented by the head teacher.(1)
  • A) The head teacher will present the prizes.
  • B) The prizes will be presented by the head teacher.
10
Rewrite the sentence below in the passive voice, suitable for a formal school notice.

Volunteers will collect the donations at the end of the fete.
(2)
11
Circle the correct Standard English verb form for formal writing in each sentence.
(a)We ___ delighted to attend the fete.(1)
  • was
  • were
(b)She ___ all of the organising herself.(1)
  • done
  • did
(c)They ___ arrived earlier if the bus had not been late.(1)
  • should of
  • should have
12
Circle the correct formal form for each sentence.
(a)If I ___ the head teacher, I would hold the fete every month.(1)
  • was
  • were
(b)___ any further information, please contact the school office.(1)
  • Should you require
  • If you would need
13
In Extract A, the school's letter uses the phrase 'Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office' rather than 'If you need anything, just ask'. Explain why this more formal phrasing is appropriate here.
(2)
14
The paragraph below is meant for the school newsletter, so it should be entirely formal. Find and correct the three informal words or phrases.

Thanks to everyone who came to the fete. We reckon it was a brilliant afternoon and loads of parents helped out. The school would like to say a massive thank you to all the volunteers.
(3)
15
Rewrite each informal sentence from Ben's text message in a formal style.
(a)Gonna be well good.(1)
(b)There's cakes and stuff.(1)
(c)Can't wait tbh.(1)
16
The sentence below contains a non-standard double negative. Find and correct the error so that it is grammatically correct for formal writing.

We didn't see nobody at the gate when we arrived.
(2)
17
Imagine the fete has to finish an hour early because of heavy rain. Write two sentences giving the same news in two different registers.
(a)Write an informal sentence, as if you were texting a friend.(1)
(b)Write a formal sentence, as if it were an announcement for the school newsletter.(1)
18
Write a short, formal reply (2 to 3 sentences) to the school's letter in Extract A, confirming that you will attend the fete. Use a formal greeting, at least one formal modal phrase (for example 'I would be happy to' or 'I would like to'), and a formal closing.
(4)
19
Write an informal text message (2 to 3 sentences) to a friend, inviting them to the fete. Use at least two informal features, for example a contraction, an abbreviation or an informal word.
(3)
Mark scheme · Y6.11 Formal vs Informal Language

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17

Question 18

Question 19