Formal or friendly: matching the writing to the reader

Grade 8 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   A Later Start Time (student draft: formal letter)

   [1] Dear Members of the School Board, I am writing to ask you to consider moving the start of the school day from 7:30 to 8:15. [2] Many students ride buses for forty minutes or more, so they wake up before six o'clock and leave home while it is still dark. [3] Doctors recommend that teenagers sleep between eight and ten hours each night, and an early start time makes that goal difficult.

   [4] Plus, kids who are wiped out can't really focus in first period. [5] Several nearby districts have moved their start times later, and their teachers report that students are more alert and less likely to fall asleep at their desks.

   [6] I understand that a later start would change bus schedules and after-school activities. [7] You'll probably say that sports practices would end too late. [8] However, teams could shorten practices slightly or use lights on the field in the evening. [9] A thoughtful schedule could protect both sleep and athletics, and the school could test the change for one semester before making it permanent.

   [10] The board needs to quit ignoring us and fix this already. [11] Thank you for your time and consideration.

2. 1.

   Kira wants sentence [4] of the letter to the school board rewritten in a formal style that keeps the meaning. Which revision does that?

   • In addition, students who are exhausted concentrate better in first period.
   • Furthermore, students afflicted with extreme lethargy are incapable of concentrating during the initial class period.
   • In addition, students who are exhausted cannot concentrate well in first period.
   • Plus, students who are wiped out can't really focus in first period.
3. 2.

   Luz sees that sentence [7] of the letter to the school board slips out of the letter's formal style. Which revision fixes the slip and keeps the meaning?

   • Some people may argue that sports practices would end too late.
   • Some people may argue that sports practices would end too early.
   • It is conceivable that certain individuals might contend that athletic practices would conclude excessively belatedly.
   • You will probably say that sports practices would end way too late.
4. 3.

   Milo thinks sentence [10] of the letter to the school board sounds rude. Which revision has the right tone for a request to the board?

   • Pretty please, board members, with a cherry on top!
   • I respectfully ask the board to study this idea at an upcoming meeting.
   • A study of this idea is requested by the writer of this letter.
   • The board must stop ignoring students and fix this problem now.

5. Hummingbirds (student draft: informative report)

   [1] Hummingbirds are tiny birds found only in the Americas, and most species are less than five inches long. [2] They feed mostly on nectar from flowers, which gives them the energy they need to stay in flight. [3] A hummingbird can hover in front of a flower because its wings move in a figure-eight pattern.

   [4] Their wings are insanely fast, which is totally unreal. [5] Because they burn so much energy, they must feed every few minutes during the day. [6] At night, some species enter a state called torpor, in which their heart rate and body temperature drop to save energy.

   [7] Honestly, you would have to be crazy not to love these awesome little birds. [8] Hummingbirds migrate long distances, and some cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single flight. [9] Scientists study them to learn more about flight and energy use.

   [10] Seriously, anyone who doesn't plant flowers for hummingbirds is being lazy. [11] A clean feeder filled with fresh sugar water can also help them during spring and fall. [12] Watching them gather at a feeder is a good way to learn how they behave.

6. 4.

   Noah wants sentence [4] of the hummingbird report rewritten in an objective style that keeps the meaning. Which revision does that?

   • Their wings are insanely fast, which is totally unreal.
   • Their wings are capable of oscillations numbering in the dozens per second, a phenomenon of extraordinary magnitude.
   • Their wings can beat about once each second.
   • Their wings can beat dozens of times each second.

7. Join the Garden Club (student draft: newsletter for younger readers)

   [1] Hello, garden fans! [2] Our school garden club is looking for new members, and you are invited to join us for a season of digging, planting, and growing. [3] We meet in the garden on Tuesday afternoons to plant seeds, water the beds, and watch things grow. [4] Last spring, our club grew pumpkins, beans, and enough lettuce to share with the whole third grade.

   [5] No experience is required for participation in this activity. [6] Last week, we planted sunflower seeds, and some of them have already sprouted tiny green leaves. [7] Our goal this year is to grow enough vegetables for a class salad party in June, with tomatoes, carrots, and plenty of lettuce.

   [8] Members receive an official notification regarding upcoming meeting dates. [9] Every member gets a small pot to decorate and take home, and we provide the soil and the seeds. [10] Please bring a water bottle and a hat on sunny days, and wear shoes that can get a little muddy.

   [11] Participants are expected to arrive punctually at the designated hour. [12] We cannot wait to meet you!

8. 5.

   Tala wants sentence [5] of the garden club newsletter rewritten in a friendly style for third and fourth graders that keeps the meaning. Which revision does that?

   • You need a lot of experience, so practice before you come.
   • You don't need any experience at all, so come try it!
   • No experience is required for participation in this activity.
   • Zero skills needed, dude, so just roll up and chill.
9. 6.

   Zee sees that sentence [8] of the garden club newsletter slips out of the newsletter's friendly style. Which revision fixes the slip and keeps the meaning?

   • Members will receive an official notification about the meeting dates.
   • We will send members a note about the garden prices.
   • We will send members a note about the next meeting dates.
   • We'll shoot you a text about the next meeting dates, no biggie, okay?
10. 7.

    Ari thinks sentence [11] of the garden club newsletter sounds cold for third and fourth graders. Which revision has the right tone?

    • Show up late and the worms will laugh at you forever!
    • Anyone who shows up late will get kicked out of the club.
    • Participants are expected to arrive punctually at the designated hour.
    • Please come on time so we can start planting right away!

11. A Note About Missing Practice (student draft: email to a coach)

    [1] Dear Coach Reyes, I am writing to let you know that I will miss Thursday's practice because of a dentist appointment. [2] The appointment is at four o'clock, and my parents scheduled it several weeks ago, long before the practice schedule changed. [3] I do not want to fall behind, so I would like to learn the new passing drill ahead of time and practice it at home.

    [4] Could you maybe send me, like, a quick video or something that shows the steps? [5] I can also meet you for ten minutes before school on Wednesday morning if that would help me catch up. [6] I understand that the team depends on every player being prepared, and I take that responsibility seriously.

    [7] Heads up, I might be late on Monday too, so don't freak out. [8] My family is traveling that weekend, and our flight lands on Sunday night after a long trip. [9] I will make up the missed practice by running extra laps during our next session, and I will stay afterward to help put the equipment away.

    [10] Whatever, just tell me if that's not okay with you. [11] Thank you for understanding, and I look forward to seeing the team on Friday.

12. 8.

    Bo wants sentence [4] of the email to Coach Reyes rewritten in a polite, clear style that keeps the meaning. Which revision does that?

    • Could you please send me a short video of the last game?
    • Might I humbly request the transmission of a brief video demonstration displaying the sequential steps?
    • Could you please send me a short video that shows the steps?
    • Could you maybe send me, like, a quick video or something that shows the steps?
13. 9.

    Esme sees that sentence [7] of the email to Coach Reyes slips out of the email's polite style. Which revision fixes the slip and keeps the meaning?

    • Heads up, I might be late on Monday too, so please don't freak out.
    • I may also be late on Friday, so please do not worry.
    • I may also be late on Monday, so please do not worry.
    • It is possible that my arrival on Monday may be delayed, and I implore you to remain entirely unconcerned.
14. 10.

    Jun thinks sentence [10] of the email to Coach Reyes sounds careless. Which revision has the right tone for a note to a coach?

    • Notification is required if the plan is not acceptable.
    • Cross your fingers and toes that the plan is a go!
    • Tell me right away if you refuse, because I already made up my mind.
    • Please let me know if this plan works for you.