Studyledge

Register and Tone for Audience and Purpose: Question 6

Syllabus W3, W4

Multiple choice 1 mark

A student is writing a formal letter of apology to their school librarian, Mrs Okafor, after returning a book two weeks late with a torn cover. Read the draft paragraph below.

"Dear Mrs Okafor, I am writing to apologise for returning my library book two weeks late and with a torn cover. I sent it back to the library as soon as I noticed the damage. Sorry about that, my dog kind of got hold of it before I could stop him! I understand this may result in a fine, and I am happy to cover the cost of any repair or replacement the library requires."

Which sentence breaks the otherwise consistent formal register established across the rest of the paragraph? [1]

Choose an answer to check it, then compare with the worked solution below.
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Worked solution

Assessment focus

This question tests a skill distinct from simply identifying register in a single line: sustaining a consistent register across an entire piece of writing. The _topic.md objective for this topic specifically names drifting into casual phrasing partway through a response as a common pitfall, and this question isolates that judgement, spotting the exact point where control of register slips.

Why C is correct

Sentences A, B and D all use complete, contraction-free sentences and measured, formal vocabulary (“I am writing to apologise”, “I understand this may result in a fine”). Sentence C breaks this pattern in two ways: the casual filler phrase “kind of” softens the formal apology into conversational speech, and the exclamation mark introduces an informal, almost jokey energy that clashes with the sincere, controlled tone built elsewhere. Together these features make C the sentence where the formal register is not sustained.

Why the distractors are wrong

  • A opens the letter formally and sets the register the rest of the (correct) sentences maintain. It does not break anything.
  • B is short, but it is grammatically complete and contraction-free, matching the formal register just as much as the longer sentences do.
  • D returns to the same formal, complete-sentence pattern as A, closing the letter appropriately. It is consistent with the register established elsewhere, not a break from it.

Mark scheme

  • 1 mark for selecting C.
  • 0 marks for any other option. No partial credit, since this is a discrete single-answer selection question.