Choose the correct one-word substitution for:
'Too much official formality.'
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
Red tape
Explanation
The question asks for a one-word or short phrase substitution that describes an excessive amount of official rules and formalities. The correct choice is Red tape.
'Red tape' is an idiom used to describe rigid conformity to formal rules, excessive paperwork, and official procedures that hide progress or delay quick decision-making in government or large corporations. It directly matches the definition of 'too much official formality.'
The other choices have distinct meanings that do not fit the specific negative sense of excessive delay:
Bureaucracy refers to a system of government or administration run by non-elected officials. While bureaucracy often causes red tape, the word itself simply describes the administrative structure, not necessarily the excess of formality itself.
Etiquette means the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession. It relates to manners, not administrative rules.
Discipline is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior. It represents order and self-control rather than tedious official procedures.
Because etiquette, discipline, and bureaucracy do not specifically mean an unnecessary overload of official roadblocks, 'Red tape' is the correct answer.
Key Points
Understanding the historical origin of idioms makes them much easier to remember for English exams.
The term 'red tape' dates back to the 16th century, when official government documents in Europe (especially Spain and Great Britain) were bound and tied together with actual red cloth tape. Opening a file required cutting through the physical red tape, which eventually became a symbol for slow, annoying bureaucratic processes.