Formality and Tact in Correspondence

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

C1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. I would be grateful if you … reconsider the proposed date.

   1. could
   2. would have
   3. had
   4. could have
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   could

   Could makes the request tactful within the conditional clause.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. May I … your attention to the revised terms?

   1. draw
   2. make
   3. do
   4. place
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   draw

   Draw someone's attention to is the formal collocation.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. We have reservations … committing before the review is complete.

   1. about
   2. to
   3. for
   4. with
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   about

   Reservations about takes the action that causes concern.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   The final checks have not been completed, so approval cannot yet be assumed. It would be … to assume that approval is automatic.

   1. prudent
   2. prematurity
   3. premature
   4. prematurely
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   premature

   Premature is the adjective meaning too early or insufficiently justified.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. We would welcome an opportunity … the matter in private.

   1. discuss
   2. to discuss
   3. discussing
   4. discussed
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   to discuss

   An opportunity to takes a base verb.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. Without wishing to … blame, we need to establish what happened.

   1. apportion
   2. appease
   3. appraise
   4. applaud
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   apportion

   Apportion blame means allocate responsibility for a failure.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. The concern is not without …, even if the proposed remedy is excessive.

   1. merited
   2. meritorious
   3. meriting
   4. merit
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   merit

   Not without merit means having some valid value.

8. Question 8 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. I trust this will … any concerns about the timetable.

   1. allay
   2. allow
   3. allot
   4. allege
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   allay

   Allay concerns means reduce or calm them.

9. Question 9 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. We are reluctant to proceed in the … of explicit consent.

   1. absentee
   2. absence
   3. absent
   4. absently
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   absence

   In the absence of means without something being present.

10. Question 10 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the best completion or reply. Your proposal merits …, but we cannot commit today.

    1. considerably
    2. considerate
    3. consideration
    4. considered
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    consideration

    Merit takes the noun consideration.

11. Question 11 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the best completion or reply. Would you be so kind … confirm receipt?

    1. to
    2. as to
    3. that
    4. for
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    as to

    So kind as to is a conventional formal request pattern.

12. Question 12 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the best completion or reply. We remain open to … a mutually acceptable arrangement.

    1. to negotiating
    2. negotiated
    3. negotiating
    4. negotiate
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    negotiating

    To in open to is a preposition and takes an ing form.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.