Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1The minister ............... the department would publish the figures before noon.
Wrong!
In formal news reporting, the neutral reporting verb "said" is preferred to the colloquial "reckoned".
2Analysts described the forecast as a ............... revision of previous estimates.
Wrong!
Formal media register uses the precise adjective "significant" rather than the conversational phrase "a big deal".
3After weeks of criticism, the interior minister ............... from the cabinet.
Wrong!
In a formal media report, "resigned" is the appropriate neutral verb for leaving an official post.
4The report found that ............... in temporary accommodation were missing regular medical appointments.
Wrong!
Formal media register normally uses "children" rather than the informal word "kids" in a serious report.
5..............., the regulator said the evidence was insufficient to justify immediate enforcement action.
Wrong!
At the start of a formal news sentence, "However" is the more appropriate transition than the conversational opener "But".
6No arrests had been made by Friday evening, ...............
Wrong!
The phrase "according to police" gives clear, neutral attribution, whereas "the cops reckon" is colloquial and unsuitable for a news report.
7Officials declined to confirm the number of ............... before relatives had been informed.
Wrong!
Formal reporting uses the neutral noun "fatalities" rather than the sensational headline-style wording "deaths shock".
8The committee ............... the hearing until further evidence could be reviewed.
Wrong!
In formal media style, "postponed" is more appropriate than the phrasal verb "put off" for an official meeting.
9Police said the ............... had blocked traffic outside the embassy for more than an hour.
Wrong!
Objective reporting uses the neutral term "demonstrators" unless the loaded label is independently evidenced.
10The contractor ............... inflated the invoices, a claim that has not yet been tested in court.
Wrong!
When a claim has not been proved in court, formal media register requires the distancing adverb "allegedly".
11Opposition MPs ............... the agency of withholding documents from the inquiry.
Wrong!
Formal media copy uses the specific reporting verb "accused" rather than the sensational verb "slammed" for an allegation.
12The scheme is expected to cost ............... £48 million over five years.
Wrong!
Formal media register uses the precise approximation marker "approximately" instead of the informal redundant phrase "around about".
Answers
- The minister said the department would publish the figures before noon.
- Analysts described the forecast as a significant revision of previous estimates.
- After weeks of criticism, the interior minister resigned from the cabinet.
- The report found that children in temporary accommodation were missing regular medical appointments.
- However , the regulator said the evidence was insufficient to justify immediate enforcement action.
- No arrests had been made by Friday evening, according to police.
- Officials declined to confirm the number of fatalities before relatives had been informed.
- The committee postponed the hearing until further evidence could be reviewed.
- Police said the demonstrators had blocked traffic outside the embassy for more than an hour.
- The contractor allegedly inflated the invoices, a claim that has not yet been tested in court.
- Opposition MPs accused the agency of withholding documents from the inquiry.
- The scheme is expected to cost approximately £48 million over five years.