ALPT B2 key terms

A conclusion drawn from evidence in a text or recording rather than stated directly. Listeners and readers combine clues with background knowledge to work out what the speaker or writer means.

The main point or overall meaning of a spoken or written passage, as distinct from its details. Skimming or listening for gist means aiming to grasp the general message first.

An answer option or piece of information that seems plausible but is wrong. It often repeats words from the passage to mislead candidates who rely on matching words rather than meaning.

Words and phrases that guide a listener through a talk, such as 'firstly', 'however', 'to sum up'. They signal structure, contrast, examples, and conclusions in spoken discourse.

The level of formality in language, chosen to suit a situation and audience. Formal, neutral, and informal registers differ in vocabulary, grammar, and tone.

The tendency of certain words to occur together naturally, as in 'make a decision' or 'heavy rain'. Using the expected partner word makes speech and writing sound idiomatic.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as 'break the ice'. Idioms are usually informal and often specific to a language or region.

The emotional or cultural association a word carries beyond its literal meaning. For example, 'thrifty' sounds approving while 'stingy' sounds critical, though both describe careful spending.

A word with a meaning close to another word, such as 'begin' and 'start'. True synonyms are rare; most differ in register, collocation, or shade of meaning.

A word expressing the opposite of another, such as 'expand' and 'contract'. Antonyms help build vocabulary networks and are often used in definitions and gap-fill tasks.

A word part added to the beginning of a base word to change its meaning, as 'un-' in 'unfair' or 're-' in 'rewrite'. Knowing common prefixes helps guess unfamiliar words.

A word part added to the end of a base word, often changing its word class, as '-ness' in 'kindness' or '-less' in 'careless'. Suffixes signal whether a word is a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.

A group of words sharing one base form but differing in affixes and word class, such as 'decide, decision, decisive, decisively'. Recognising families helps complete grammar and vocabulary tasks.

A restatement of a passage's meaning using different words. Exam questions often paraphrase the source text, so candidates must match meaning rather than exact wording.

Reading quickly to get the general idea of a text. Readers pass over details and focus on headings, first sentences, and key content words.

Reading rapidly to locate specific information such as a name, date, or figure. The eyes move quickly over the text until the target item is found.

Information in the surrounding words or sentences that helps a reader work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Clues include definitions, examples, contrasts, and cause-effect links.

The sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main idea. The remaining sentences develop or support it.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so a text reads as a unified whole. Cohesive devices include pronouns, conjunctions, and repeated or substituted words.

A word or phrase that organises what is said or written, such as 'however', 'in addition', or 'on the other hand'. Markers show how ideas relate logically.

A change from one subject or theme to another in a conversation or text. Recognising a topic shift helps listeners follow a discussion and answer questions about what was said.

The system by which speakers in a conversation decide who speaks next. It involves signals such as pauses, intonation, and phrases like 'Can I just say something?'

A short response from a listener, such as 'mm-hm', 'right', or 'really', showing attention and encouraging the speaker to continue. Backchannels do not usually claim the next turn.

A sound or filler used while a speaker thinks, such as 'um', 'well', or 'you know'. These markers are normal in spontaneous speech and help keep a turn open.

The extra emphasis given to a syllable or word in speech, produced by greater loudness, length, or pitch. In English, word stress can change meaning or word class.

The pattern of rising and falling pitch across an utterance. Intonation conveys meaning, attitude, and sentence type, such as distinguishing a question from a statement.

Two words that differ in only one sound, such as 'ship' and 'sheep'. Minimal pairs are used to practise and test the perception of individual speech sounds.

The smallest unit of sound that can distinguish one word from another in a language. English has around forty-four phonemes, including consonants and vowels.

Language that makes a statement less direct or forceful, such as 'perhaps', 'it seems', or 'I might be wrong'. Hedges show politeness or uncertainty and are common in academic and formal speech.

The ability to speak or write smoothly at a natural pace without excessive pausing or self-correction. Fluency involves speed, rhythm, and the ability to keep communication going.

The quality of ideas in a text or speech being logically connected and easy to follow. Coherence concerns overall meaning and organisation, while cohesion concerns surface links.

A word in one language that looks or sounds similar to a word in another but has a different meaning. For example, English 'actual' does not mean 'current'.

A verb combined with an adverb or preposition that creates a new meaning, such as 'give up' or 'look after'. The meaning usually cannot be predicted from the parts alone.

Listening with full attention in order to understand the speaker's message, including asking clarifying questions and summarising. It contrasts with simply hearing words without engagement.

Writing brief key points while listening or reading to support later recall. Effective notes use abbreviations, symbols, and headings rather than full sentences.

A task in which words are removed from a text and must be supplied from context or a list. Cloze exercises test vocabulary, grammar, and understanding of cohesion.

The process of creating new words by adding affixes or changing word class, as when 'strong' becomes 'strength'. Exam tasks often require choosing the correct form for a gap.