Synonyms for Formal Writing - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

18 original exam-style questions - 8 pages of questions with a full mark scheme - free printable PDF.

Download PDFJump to mark scheme (page 9)Read the revision guide
« Previous: Bullet Points and Their PunctuationNext: Antonyms in Context »
Revision Library
revisionlibrary.co.uk
KS2 · Grammar

Y6.8 Synonyms for Formal Writing

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

A Report to the School Council: Reducing Litter in the Dining Hall

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.

Report to the School Council: Reducing Litter in the Dining Hall

Prepared by the Year 6 Eco Committee

Several pupils have noticed that litter has become a considerable problem in the dining hall this term. The bins are consistently overflowing by the end of the lunch period, and a significant amount of packaging is left on the tables afterwards. This report outlines three recommendations that the committee believes would improve the situation considerably.

Firstly, the committee recommends that additional bins be purchased and positioned near the exit doors. Secondly, clearer signs should be displayed to remind pupils to dispose of their rubbish responsibly. Finally, the committee suggests that a rota of monitors could assist with tidying the hall after each sitting.

If these recommendations were adopted, the committee is confident that the dining hall would become a considerably more pleasant environment for everyone. The committee would therefore be grateful if the governors could consider this proposal at their next meeting.

1
Tick the more formal synonym for the informal word given in each part. Formal words like these are used in reports, letters and other formal writing.
(a)kids(1)
  • A) mates
  • B) pupils
  • C) buddies
(b)got(1)
  • A) grabbed
  • B) received
  • C) nabbed
(c)said(1)
  • A) reckoned
  • B) stated
  • C) blabbed
(d)a lot of(1)
  • A) loads of
  • B) a considerable amount of
  • C) tons of
(e)big(1)
  • A) considerable
  • B) proper big
  • C) massive
2
Circle the four words in the sentence below that show formal register. The sentence is taken from the report to the school council.

The committee recommends that additional bins be purchased and positioned near the exit doors.
(4)
3
Complete the table below. Write the more formal synonym for each informal word, using the word bank. Each word from the box is used once.
Word bank: assist | commence | purchase | request
Informal wordFormal synonym
help
start
buy
ask
(4)
4
Tick the word that is NOT a formal synonym for 'important'.
  • A) significant
  • B) crucial
  • C) a big deal
5
Tick the sentence below that is written in formal register, suitable for a school report.
  • A) The kids reckon the bins are always full.
  • B) I think the bins need sorting out asap.
  • C) Pupils have observed that the bins require more frequent emptying.
  • D) The bins are like properly overflowing all the time.
6
Complete each sentence from the report using a word from the box. Each word from the box is used once.
Word bank: considerable | dispose | additional | responsibly
(a)Litter has become a ___ problem in the dining hall.(1)
(b)Pupils are reminded to ___ of their rubbish carefully.(1)
(c)The bins fill quickly, so ___ bins are needed.(1)
(d)Everyone is asked to behave ___ at lunchtime.(1)
7
Complete the table below. Write an informal synonym for each formal word or phrase, using the word bank, to show you understand both registers. Each word from the box is used once.
Word bank: mates | loads | chuck | sort out
Formal wordInformal synonym
pupils
a considerable amount
dispose of
resolve
(4)
8
Rewrite each sentence below, replacing the word or phrase in single quotes with a more formal synonym. The sentence must still make sense.
(a)'A lot of' rubbish is left on the tables every day.(1)
(b)The caretaker 'said' the bins need emptying more often.(1)
(c)'Kids' should put their litter in the bin.(1)
9
Circle the single formal word that best replaces the underlined phrase in each sentence below.
(a)The pupils were very tired after the school trip.(1)
  • exhausted
  • really tired
  • shattered
(b)The committee felt very angry about the state of the bins.(1)
  • furious
  • really angry
  • dead angry
(c)By lunchtime, the youngest pupils were very hungry.(1)
  • ravenous
  • really hungry
  • peckish
10
Complete each sentence with a more formal connective from the box, to replace the informal connective shown in brackets. Each word from the box is used once.
Word bank: however | therefore | furthermore
(a)The bins were emptied twice a day, ___ they still overflowed. (but)(1)
(b)Litter attracts pests, ___ it must be dealt with quickly. (so)(1)
(c)The bins need replacing. ___, new signs should be added. (also)(1)
11
The paragraph below is written for a friend, not for a school report. It contains four words or phrases, shown in single quotes, that are too informal for formal writing. Rewrite the paragraph, replacing all four with more formal synonyms.

'Loads of' rubbish is left on the tables every day, and 'kids' do not seem to care. The caretaker thinks the school should 'sort out' the problem quickly, and everyone 'reckons' new bins are needed.
(4)
12
Each sentence below contains a word that is too informal for a school report. Circle the informal word and write a more formal synonym above it.
(a)The committee reckons three new bins are needed.(1)
(b)Kids should not drop litter near the entrance.(1)
(c)The report is about getting rid of litter in the hall.(1)
13
This sentence about the litter report mixes formal and informal words inconsistently. Find the two words that do not match the formal register of the rest of the sentence, and rewrite the sentence using more formal synonyms for both.

The committee formally requests that pupils dispose of litter correctly, and kids should chuck any packaging into the recycling bin.
(2)
14
Write your own sentence for a school report, using the word 'purchase' correctly in place of 'buy'. Remember that contractions are also too informal for formal writing, so avoid using them.
(2)
15
Choose two different informal-to-formal synonym pairs from the box below. Write one sentence of your own for each pair, in the style of a formal school report, using the formal word correctly.
Word bank: ask/request | help/assist | think/believe
(a)First pair of synonyms.(1)
(b)Second pair of synonyms (must be different from part a).(1)
16
Rewrite the informal paragraph below as part of a formal report to the school council. Use a more formal synonym in place of each of the four expressions shown in single quotes.

'Loads of' pupils have reported that the water fountain is broken again, and 'kids' are becoming 'really fed up' about it. We 'reckon' the school should have it repaired as soon as possible.
(4)
17
In the report, the writer uses the word 'considerable' several times instead of simply 'big'. Explain the effect of this formal word choice on the reader.
(2)
18
Write a short formal paragraph (3 to 4 sentences) recommending one change to reduce litter in the dining hall, for the school council. Use at least three formal synonyms from the word bank below, and remember to avoid contractions and casual language.
Word bank: pupils | considerable | assist | additional | therefore
(3)
Mark scheme · Y6.8 Synonyms for Formal Writing

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