Задание № 2556 по английскому языку: Work with speech norms

Work with speech normsПо тексту · среднее

The school Language Club has published a short guide called "Right Words for the Right Place". The guide says that a good speaker first asks three questions: Who am I talking to? Where am I? What do I want? The answers decide the style.
When we ask a stranger for help, for example at a railway station, we should be polite but brief: "Excuse me, could you tell me where platform 4 is?" Modal verbs such as could and would make a request softer, and the word please is always welcome.
A complaint to a hotel manager must be written in formal style. The writer avoids contractions and slang, describes the problem calmly and asks for action: "I am writing to complain about the noise in room 12. I would appreciate a full refund." Rude remarks about the staff are never suitable, because they weaken the complaint.
In a talk to the school board, the speaker begins with "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen" and uses neutral, careful language. Short forms and words such as "guys" are better left for conversations with friends.
Relaxed language is acceptable only among friends: "No worries!" or "The match is off, sorry!" The guide adds that a refusal needs special care. Instead of a blunt "No, I won't come", one can say "Thank you for inviting me, but I'm afraid I can't come." Here "I'm afraid" does not mean that the speaker is frightened; it is a polite way to introduce unwelcome news.
Finally, the guide warns that the same message changes with the listener. To the board, "The match is off, sorry!" becomes "We regret to inform you that the match has been cancelled."

What is the function of "I'm afraid" in the sentence "Thank you for inviting me, but I'm afraid I can't come"?

1. AIt makes the refusal more blunt.
2. BIt shows that the speaker is frightened.
3. CIt asks the listener for permission.
4. DIt softens an unwelcome answer.