Question

Which sentence uses formal language?

A) ‘It was given me by Sylvia Ward, whose portrait hangs yonder…’

B) ‘You might as well ask whether an old woman’s wrinkled face could ever bloom again.’

C) There were three white-bearded gentlemen, Mr. Medbourne, Colonel Killigrew, and Mr. Gascoigne, and a withered gentlewoman, whose name was the Widow Wycherly.

D) The sunshine came through the window, between the heavy festoons of two faded damask curtains, and fell directly across this vase; so that a mild splendor was reflected from it on the ashen visages of the five old people who sat around.

Answer 1

The sentence using formal language is C) 'There were three white-bearded gentlemen, Mr. Medbourne, Colonel Killigrew, and Mr. Gascoigne, and a withered gentlewoman, whose name was the Widow Wycherly.'

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which sentence uses formal language. Formal language is characterized by a lack of colloquialisms, contractions, first person pronouns, and is often used in serious or professional contexts. Considering the options provided, the sentence that most closely fits the definition of formal language is:

C) 'There were three white-bearded gentlemen, Mr. Medbourne, Colonel Killigrew, and Mr. Gascoigne, and a withered gentlewoman, whose name was the Widow Wycherly.'

This sentence avoids colloquial language and uses a more structured, formal construct, making it the best example of formal language from the given choices.

Answer 2

A) ‘It was given me by Sylvia Ward, whose portrait hangs yonder…’