ACCUPLACER ESL Reading key terms

The most important point a passage makes about its topic. It is broad enough to cover the whole passage, not just one sentence or detail, and is often stated in the first or last sentence.

The subject a passage is about, usually expressible in a word or short phrase. The topic answers 'What is this about?' while the main idea answers 'What does the writer say about it?'

A fact, example, reason, or statistic that explains or proves the main idea. Supporting details are narrower than the main idea and often answer who, what, when, where, or how much.

A short restatement of a passage's main points in your own words, leaving out minor details. A good summary covers the whole passage and contains no personal opinion.

A conclusion you draw from clues in the text plus your own knowledge, even though the writer does not state it directly. Inferences must be supported by evidence in the passage.

The specific words, facts, or details in a passage that support an answer or conclusion. When a question asks why you think something, you point to evidence in the text.

Information in the surrounding sentence or paragraph that helps you figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Clues may be definitions, examples, contrasts, or synonyms nearby.

A word that means nearly the same thing as another word, such as 'begin' and 'start'. Recognizing synonyms helps you match a question's wording to the passage's wording.

A word that means the opposite of another word, such as 'expand' and 'shrink'. Contrast words like 'but' or 'however' often signal an antonym clue in a sentence.

To restate an idea in different words while keeping the same meaning. Correct answers on reading tests are often paraphrases of sentences in the passage rather than exact copies.

The order in which events or steps happen. Signal words such as 'first', 'then', 'before', 'after', and 'finally' show sequence in a passage.

A text structure that presents events in the order they happened in time, from earliest to latest or the reverse. Histories and stories often use this pattern.

A relationship in which one event makes another happen. Signal words include 'because', 'so', 'therefore', 'as a result', and 'leads to'.

A text structure that shows how two or more things are alike (compare) and how they differ (contrast). Signal words include 'both', 'similar', 'unlike', and 'whereas'.

A word or phrase such as 'however', 'therefore', or 'in addition' that links ideas and shows how sentences or paragraphs relate. Transitions signal addition, contrast, cause, or time.

The logical connection between two sentences, such as addition, contrast, cause, example, or time order. Identifying it helps you understand how ideas build on each other.

The noun that a pronoun such as 'it', 'they', or 'this' stands for. Finding the correct referent is essential for understanding who did what in a passage.

Understanding information that is directly stated in the text, without inference. Literal questions ask who, what, when, where, or how many, and the answer is in the passage.

The reason a writer created a text: to inform, to persuade, to entertain, or to explain. Purpose shapes the tone, details, and structure the writer chooses.

The writer's attitude toward the subject, shown through word choice and details. Tone may be serious, humorous, critical, neutral, or enthusiastic.

The feeling or association a word carries beyond its literal meaning. 'Cheap' and 'affordable' describe similar prices but have different connotations.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, without emotional associations. Denotation is what a word refers to; connotation is how the word feels.

A fact can be proven true or false; an opinion expresses a belief, feeling, or judgment that cannot be proven. Words like 'best', 'should', and 'beautiful' often signal opinions.

To read quickly for the general idea, looking at headings, first sentences, and key words rather than every word. Skimming helps you preview a text before reading closely.

To look quickly through a text for a specific piece of information, such as a date, name, or number, without reading everything. Scanning is useful for answering detail questions.

The sentence, often first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main idea. The other sentences in the paragraph usually support or explain it.

A judgment reached after considering the information in a passage. Conclusions may be stated by the writer or drawn by the reader from the evidence given.

A guess about what will come next in a text, based on clues and prior knowledge. Good readers check predictions as they continue reading and revise them when needed.

A word part added to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning, such as 'un-' meaning not or 're-' meaning again. Recognizing prefixes helps you decode unfamiliar words.

A word part added to the end of a base word that changes its meaning or part of speech, such as '-ful' meaning full of or '-less' meaning without.

The basic part of a word that carries its core meaning and remains after prefixes and suffixes are removed. Knowing common roots helps you guess the meaning of new words.

Language that is not meant literally, such as similes, metaphors, and idioms, used to create vivid comparisons or images. The reader must interpret the intended meaning.

A common expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the individual words, such as 'break the ice' meaning to start a conversation. Idioms must be learned as whole units.

Combining several pieces of information in a passage to form a judgment the writer implies but does not state outright. It requires connecting details rather than recalling one fact.

A word or phrase that tells the reader how ideas are organized, such as 'first', 'because', 'however', or 'for example'. Signal words are clues to text structure and meaning.

A group of related sentences focused on one idea, usually beginning with a topic sentence and ending with a concluding or linking sentence. Paragraphs organize a longer text into units of thought.