Work and university traffic that never drops. This page has 100 important questions and answers. Original explainer for daily search — not a government login or live tracker.
A formal email has a clear subject, a greeting, a short purpose, what you want the reader to do, and a sign-off with your name. Write like a person, not a legal novel. One ask per email when you can.
Reply-all only when everyone must see it. Do not send angry mail in the same minute you feel it. Attachments: say what they are in the body.
100 important questions. Quick 10 is a random set; Full set plays every question.
Your score
100 questions and answers
Each item is a 4-option MCQ. Open a question, tap A–D. Green is correct, red is wrong. Original explainers — not copied match reports.
1. When in doubt, read the draft aloud to catch
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) tone that sounds sharper than you meant
If it sounds like a fight, rewrite.
2. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 1) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
3. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 2) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
4. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 3) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
5. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 4) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
6. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 5) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
7. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 6) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
8. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 7) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
9. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 8) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
10. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 9) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
11. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 10) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
12. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 11) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
13. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 12) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
14. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 13) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
15. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 14) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
16. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 15) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
17. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 16) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
18. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 17) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
19. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 18) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
20. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 19) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
21. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 20) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
22. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 21) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
23. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 22) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
24. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 23) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
25. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 24) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
26. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 25) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
27. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 26) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
28. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 27) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
29. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 28) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
30. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 29) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
31. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 30) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
32. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 31) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
33. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 32) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
34. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 33) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
35. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 34) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
36. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 35) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
37. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 36) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
38. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 37) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
39. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 38) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
40. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 39) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
41. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 40) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
42. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 41) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
43. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 42) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
44. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 43) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
45. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 44) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
46. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 45) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
47. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 46) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
48. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 47) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
49. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 48) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
50. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 49) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
51. The official source for “how to write a formal email” (learn desk, item 50) is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the authority or standard named on this page’s explainer
GKSchools English practice is original — not an official script.
52. The subject line should
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) say the topic in a few words
People search their inbox by subject.
53. A safe formal greeting is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) Dear Ms Chen, / Hello Dr Patel,
Use the name they publish.
54. Put the request
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) near the top, then the context
Busy people skim.
55. Please find attached is fine if you
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) name the file’s purpose
Preview before send.
56. Reply-all is for
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) when the whole thread must see the answer
Default to reply.
57. A professional sign-off is
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) Kind regards / Best regards + your name
Add a role if it helps.
58. Tone should be
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) polite and specific
You can be warm and still formal.
59. Before you send, check
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) to, cc, subject, and attachments
Wrong “to” is the classic disaster.
60. BCC is for
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) hiding other recipients from each other
Use it for large lists, not secret attacks.
61. CC is for
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) people who must see the mail but are not the main actor
Too many CCs create reply-all storms.
62. Keep one main ask per email when you can so that
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) the reader knows what to do
Number them if you must send two.
63. A follow-up after a few working days can
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) politely restated the ask and the deadline
Assume good faith first.
64. An out-of-office reply should
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) name a date back and who to contact
Short and useful wins.
65. A professional From address looks like
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) name@organisation or a plain personal domain
Recruiters judge the From line.
66. ALL CAPS in the body reads as
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) shouting
Use bold sparingly if the system allows it.
67. Keep the same subject on a thread so that
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) people can search the history
Change it only if the topic really changes.
68. A calendar invite is better than
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) a long prose negotiation of 12 times in the body only
Still write one line of purpose.
69. Marking something confidential does not
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) encrypt it or stop a forward
Do not put secrets in ordinary mail.
70. Spell the reader name as
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) they publish it, including accents if you can
Wrong names kill tone.
71. A mobile signature should still
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) include your name and a way to reply
People forward threads without the header.
72. Do not write Urgent unless
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) the deadline is real and near
Cry wolf and nobody opens you.
73. Sensitive HR or medical detail is safer on
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) the channel the organisation names (portal, encrypted)
Email is easy to leak.
74. Numbered or bulleted asks help
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) a busy reader tick them off
Put the date you need beside each.
75. Plain language beats
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) a legal novel that never states the ask
You can be warm and still short.
76. Forwarding a whole thread to a new person
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) may reveal side comments they should not see
Trim or summarise first.
77. Reply versus reply-all: default to
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) reply unless the whole set must see it
Thanks can go to one person.
78. Attachments should be
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) named clearly and mentioned in the body
Preview before send.
79. A formal greeting still works as
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) Dear Dr Khan, or Hello Ms Okonkwo,
If you cannot find a name, use a role (Dear Hiring Panel).
80. The first two lines should
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) state why you are writing
Busy people skim.
81. Sign off with
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) Kind regards or Best regards and your name
Add job title if it helps the reader.
82. Before you hit send, check
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) To, CC, subject, and attachments
Wrong To is the classic disaster.
83. Tone in a complaint should stay
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) factual and polite, with dates and what you want
You may need the thread later.
84. If you were wrong, a short mail that
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) owns the mistake and the fix beats silence
Speed plus honesty repairs trust.
85. Do not discuss salary numbers in
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) a wide CC you do not control
Need-to-know applies.
86. A meeting recap email lists
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) decisions, owners, and dates
People who missed the call will live by it.
87. Using Reply to continue a year-old thread about a new topic
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) confuses search and context
Start a new subject.
88. Please advise is weaker than
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) a specific question and a date you need the answer
Make the next action obvious.
89. If English is not your first language, short sentences
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) are more formal than long tangled ones
Clarity is polite.
90. A read receipt on every mail
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) can annoy people; use it rarely
Your need is not their setting.
91. Copying someone as a silent threat (boss in CC)
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) often poisons the working relationship
Ask first if you can escalate.
92. Huge image signatures and 20 social icons
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) can look messy and trip spam filters
Keep the footer short.
93. When you attach a spreadsheet, say
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) which tab or cell matters
Save the reader a hunt.
94. A formal email to a university should include
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: D) your student ID or application number if you have one
Offices search by number.
95. Do not send angry mail in the same minute you feel it;
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: C) wait, or ask a colleague to read it
You cannot unsend trust.
96. If the thread is long, a top summary of
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) the current ask in two lines helps new readers
Quote below if needed.
97. Use the organisation style for dates (4 Sept 2026 vs 09/04)
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) so US and UK readers do not swap day and month
Write the month in words if it matters.
98. A job-application email is not
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: B) a second full CV pasted in the body with no attach
Follow their portal plus mail rules.
99. If you promise an attachment and forget it,
Tap A, B, C or D.
Answer: A) send a short sorry plus the file, not a silent hope
