Few people realize that there is a big difference between formal English and informal English. Formal English is used for most writing, and often in public speaking and formal meetings. It pays close attention to grammar rules, because if we use proper grammar, our meaning is often more precise. Also, on important occasions, we do not want to appear uneducated or to offend (冒犯) others, so we are very careful about how we speak. Informal English is used in speaking or writing to our friends and family. It often does not pay such close attention to grammar rules, because when we speak or write to them, we want our words to flow quickly. Also, with our friends and family, we are usually not so worried about appearing uneducated or about offending them by how we write or speak.
A big difference between formal and informal English is the use of contractions. A contraction is where we make a word shorter or where we put two words together and take away some of the letters. For example, instead of saying “do not”, many people say “don’t”. Using contractions in our speech is fine because it sounds natural, especially when we speak to our friends. In formal writing, however, contractions are usually avoided because people might think that you have made a mistake, or that you do not know proper grammar.
In the same way we might make words shorter, in informal English we often make sentences shorter as well. For example, if someone asks you your name, you will likely answer with one word: your first name. However, in formal English we usually use plete sentences. For example, we might write “My name is John”. In most speaking, we may not need to use every word in a sentence because the person we are speaking to will probably still understand us. In most writing, however, every word in a sentence must be written out in order to make sure that we can be understood.
【小题1】When we use formal English, .A．we will offend others B．we will appear educated on important occasionsC．we needn’t pay more attention to grammar rulesD．we can express ourselves more directly and more quickly【小题2】What’s the meaning of the underlined word “precise”?A．clear B．directC．puzzlingD．simple【小题3】Contractions are best used when we are .A．speaking at a formal meetingB．speaking in publicC．speaking to our friendsD．writing an application (申请) letter【小题4】In speaking, we do not always use plete sentences because .A．we do not care about grammarB．we do not want to sound stupidC．we can still be understoodD．we don’t want to waste timeB
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(答案→)B
解析：本文介绍了正式英语和非正式英语的区别，它们的不同的用法。介绍了正式英语用合适的语法知识，完整的句子，能够清楚地表达出自己的意思。不会因误解而冒犯别人，或者让别人误认为你是未受过高等教育的；而非正式英语也有它的优点可以简明的表达自己的意思，常用在朋友与家人之间的对话。不用复杂的语法，用一个词或一个短语就能表达清楚。
【小题1】这是细节理解题。根据Also, on important occasions, we do not want to appear uneducated or to offend (冒犯) others, so we are very careful about how we speak.用正式的语言，在一些重要的场合，我们不想让自己显得没有受过教育而冒犯别人。故选B。
【小题2】这是词义猜测题。根据It pays close attention to grammar rules, because if we use proper grammar用了合适的语法，语言表达的清楚，容易让别人理解。故选A。
【小题3】这是细节理解题。根据Using contractions in our speech is fine because it sounds natural, especially when we speak to our friends. 故选C。
【小题4】这是细节理解题。根据In most speaking, we may not need to use every word in a sentence because the person we are speaking to will probably still understand us. 既然对方能听懂简略的答语，就没有必要再用整个句子来表达了，故选C。