A character in a story glances at the sky and says, "Reckon it will rain afore sundown, so we best head on home." What does this wording most likely tell the reader?

A character calls to her neighbors, "Y'all comin' to the fair?" The writer now needs the same question in a formal printed invitation. Which rewording fits that formal setting best?

At lunch a student tells a friend, "That test was super hard." She later describes the same test in a formal report to the school board. Which wording fits the report best?

In a play set in the 1800s, a traveler bows and says, "Pray tell, sir, whither are you bound this evening?" What does this wording most likely tell the reader?

A fifth grader is writing an email to her principal asking to start a chess club. Which greeting best fits that formal email?

When a story character speaks in a casual or regional way, that wording can give the reader clues about the character's background and about the setting.

A student is writing a formal science report. Which wording fits it best?

A student needs help at the public library. Which way of asking best fits speaking politely and formally to the librarian?

In a story, two people wait at a stop. Nana says, "The bus'll be along directly." Sofia says, "The bus will arrive soon." What does Nana's wording show?

In which situation would a relaxed, casual way of speaking fit the audience best?

A student's science notebook says, "The plants got way bigger over the month." She is copying the result into a formal lab report. Which wording fits the report best?

In a play, a sailor calls out, "Aye, cap'n, the wind's shiftin' sou'west." What does this wording most likely tell the reader?

In a story, a fisherman calls from the dock, "The tide's runnin' out fast, so mind yer step on them rocks." What does this wording most likely tell the reader?

A student's poster draft says, "We're gonna clean up the park on Saturday." She is putting the same news in a formal letter to the mayor. Which wording fits that letter best?

A student is introducing a guest speaker at a school assembly. Which introduction fits that formal setting best?

In a novel, a soldier ends an 1863 letter home: "I am, dear Mother, your most obedient and affectionate son." What does this closing most likely tell the reader?

A student wrote, "A lot of people came to the fair." She is writing the same idea for a formal newspaper article. Which wording fits the article best?

In a story, a grandmother in the mountains says, "That there creek runs full come spring." What does her wording most likely tell the reader?

Two friends are texting each other about a movie they both watched last night. Which message fits that casual situation best?

A student arrives late and speaks to his teacher at the classroom door. Which wording fits that polite, formal moment best?

In a story, a shopkeeper waves and says, "Fixin' to close up, so come on back tomorrow." What does this wording most likely tell the reader?

In a story, Marcus tells his little sister, "Quit hoggin' the swing!" Later he tells his coach, "May I have a turn on the swing?" What does this difference show about Marcus?

A club flyer draft reads, "You guys need to be here by eight." The line is going into a formal printed program. Which wording fits the program best?

In a story, two neighbors meet at the market. Mr. Kim says, "Might I trouble you for a moment of your time?" Ravi replies, "Yo, got a sec?" What does Mr. Kim's wording show?

A class is sending a thank-you note to an author who visited the school. What wording fits that formal note best?

A judge at the science fair asks a student to describe her project. What reply fits that formal setting best?

The school office is making an announcement over the intercom about the late bus. Which wording fits that formal announcement best?

In a story, Elena tells her best friend, "That was, like, the best game ever." What does her wording most likely show?

A student explains classroom rules to a substitute teacher on the first day. Which wording fits that formal introduction best?

A fifth grader is being interviewed by a clinic director during a job-shadow day. What reply fits that formal interview best?

A student's notes say, "The show was a blast." She is putting the same idea into a formal review for the school newspaper. Which wording fits the review best?

A parent is leaving a voicemail for the school office about an absence. Which message fits that formal call best?

In a story, a butler opens the door and says, "The family is not receiving visitors this morning." What does this wording most likely tell the reader?

A student is asking a store manager for permission to hang a school flyer in the window. Which way of asking fits that formal setting best?

In a play, a young cowhand says, "I reckon them cattle done wandered off past the ridge." What does this wording most likely tell the reader?

A student council member is writing the opening line of a formal proposal for the principal. Which opening fits that proposal best?

A farmer in a story says, "Reckon it'll rain afore sundown." The writer should correct this line because the wording is wrong English.

In a formal report, contractions such as don't and can't are preferred over the full forms do not and cannot.

Giving one story character casual wording and another character formal wording can help readers tell the two speakers apart.

A formal school report replaces the casual word "kids" with the more formal word ___.