Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1In clause 7.2, the supplier ............... to maintain adequate professional indemnity insurance throughout the term.
Wrong!
In a contract clause, the formal legal performative verb "undertakes" is the conventional choice for assuming an obligation.
2The minister ............... the figures would be released before noon, Reuters reported.
Wrong!
Hard-news copy normally uses the neutral reporting verb "said" rather than the more evaluative or archaic-sounding alternative.
3The initial model explains regional variation reasonably well. ..............., it fails to account for migration after 2015.
Wrong!
In formal academic prose, sentence-initial "However" is the appropriate concessive connector here.
4After discussion of the audit findings, ............... to commission an external review.
Wrong!
Formal minutes use the impersonal formula "It was resolved" to record an official decision.
5Dear Ms Alvarez, thank you for forwarding the revised timetable; I will circulate it to the team this afternoon. ..............., Daniel.
Wrong!
Because the email greets the named recipient, the appropriate business closing is "Kind regards" in this moderately formal context.
6Although the intervention was associated with improved retention, residual confounding ...............
Wrong!
A research abstract requires the cautious formal phrase "cannot be ruled out" for an unresolved alternative explanation.
7In order to protect the manuscripts, photography ............... in the reading room.
Wrong!
A museum notice states rules in formal institutional language, so "is prohibited" is appropriate.
8Once the onions have softened, ............... the stock and simmer for twenty minutes.
Wrong!
Recipe instructions normally use concise imperative verbs such as "Stir in".
9On hearing of your father's death, ...............
Wrong!
A formal condolence letter conventionally uses "Please accept my sincere condolences" to express sympathy respectfully.
10We ............... an extension to the reporting deadline, in accordance with section 4 of the funding agreement.
Wrong!
In a formal grant application, "hereby request" gives the required official and procedural tone.
11When Mia finally opened the envelope, ............... the 'mystery prize' was a voucher for the café next door.
Wrong!
The chatty anecdotal context licenses the conversational phrase "turns out".
12Section 3 ............... the eligibility criteria for local authorities seeking emergency funding.
Wrong!
A formal policy proposal normally says that a section "sets out" aims or provisions.
Answers
- In clause 7.2, the supplier undertakes to maintain adequate professional indemnity insurance throughout the term.
- The minister said the figures would be released before noon, Reuters reported.
- The initial model explains regional variation reasonably well. However, it fails to account for migration after 2015.
- After discussion of the audit findings, It was resolved to commission an external review.
- Dear Ms Alvarez, thank you for forwarding the revised timetable; I will circulate it to the team this afternoon. Kind regards, Daniel.
- Although the intervention was associated with improved retention, residual confounding cannot be ruled out.
- In order to protect the manuscripts, photography is prohibited in the reading room.
- Once the onions have softened, Stir in the stock and simmer for twenty minutes.
- On hearing of your father’s death, Please accept my sincere condolences.
- We hereby request an extension to the reporting deadline, in accordance with section 4 of the funding agreement.
- When Mia finally opened the envelope, turns out the ‘mystery prize’ was a voucher for the café next door.
- Section 3 sets out the eligibility criteria for local authorities seeking emergency funding.
