Armenia Foreign Language Unified Exam flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Listening: second pass purpose

Recordings are usually played twice; the first listening gives the general idea, and the second is used to confirm specific details such as numbers, names, and reasons.

Correction signal words

Words like 'actually', 'but', 'sorry', and 'instead' often introduce a correction. The information after them usually overrides what the speaker said earlier.

Distractor in listening

An option that is mentioned in the recording but later rejected or contradicted. It looks correct on first hearing but is not the final answer.

Inference question

A question asking what the speaker implies rather than states directly. The answer must be supported by tone or stated facts, not by outside knowledge.

Attitude question

A listening item asking how the speaker feels about a topic. Intonation and evaluative adjectives such as 'disappointing' or 'brilliant' usually reveal the answer.

Number self-correction

A speaker who says a figure and then revises it ('ten, no, twelve') signals that the second figure is the intended answer for the question.

Skimming

Reading quickly for the main idea by focusing on titles, first sentences, and last sentences of paragraphs, without stopping for unknown words.

Scanning

Reading quickly to locate a specific fact such as a date, name, or number, ignoring surrounding text until the target is found.

Vocabulary in context

A reading item type where the meaning of a word is decided by substituting each option into the sentence and checking that the whole sentence still makes sense.

Main idea answer

The option that covers the entire passage. A statement that is true but describes only one paragraph is a distractor, not the main idea.

EXCEPT question

A reading item where three options are stated in the passage and one is not. The correct answer is the option that cannot be found in the text.

Pronoun reference item

A question asking what 'it', 'this', or 'they' refers to. The answer is the nearest preceding noun phrase that agrees in number.

Present perfect use

Used for past actions with present relevance or with no stated time. A definite past time expression such as 'yesterday' requires the past simple instead.

Reported speech backshift

When reporting speech, the tense moves back one step: present becomes past, past becomes past perfect. Time words also shift, e.g. 'now' becomes 'then'.

Third conditional form

If + past perfect in the condition clause, and would have + past participle in the result clause, describing an unreal past situation.

Second conditional form

If + past simple in the condition clause, and would + bare infinitive in the result clause, describing an unreal or unlikely present situation.

Passive voice formation

Formed with the correct tense of 'be' plus the past participle. The tense is carried by 'be', as in 'was built' or 'has been repaired'.

Gerund after prepositions

After a preposition, the verb takes the -ing form, as in 'good at swimming' or 'interested in learning'. The infinitive is not used here.

Relative pronoun choice

'Who' refers to people, 'which' to things, 'whose' shows possession, and 'where' refers to places. The pronoun can be omitted only when it is the object.

Irregular comparatives

Some adjectives do not take -er or -est: good becomes better and best, bad becomes worse and worst, far becomes further and furthest.

English collocations

Fixed word partnerships tested in language-use tasks, such as 'make a decision', 'do homework', 'take an exam', and 'pay attention'.

Zero article rule

No article is used before general plurals and abstract nouns, as in 'Books are useful' or 'Honesty matters', when speaking generally.

Writing: task achievement

A scoring criterion separate from language accuracy. It requires answering every point in the prompt and meeting the required word count.

Formal register rule

In formal writing, avoid contractions and slang. Use full forms such as 'do not' and neutral vocabulary instead of casual expressions.

Cohesion in writing

The use of linking words such as 'however', 'therefore', and 'in addition' to connect ideas, without repeating the same connector in consecutive sentences.

Paragraph structure

Each paragraph carries one central idea, opened by a topic sentence and followed by supporting details or examples that develop that idea.

Writing plan time

Three to five minutes spent noting main points and linkers before writing, with remaining time reserved for checking tense consistency and spelling.

Speaking: fluency definition

Rated on continuity and natural pace rather than speed. Brief pauses are acceptable, but long silences and repeated restarts lower the score.

Opinion answer structure

State your position, give one reason, add one example, and close with a brief conclusion. This keeps the answer organized and complete.

Paraphrasing strategy

When a word is missing during speaking, describe the idea instead of stopping, for example 'the thing you use to cut paper', to keep fluency.

-ed ending pronunciation

Past-tense endings are pronounced /t/ after voiceless sounds, /d/ after voiced sounds, and /id/ after t or d, as in 'wanted'.

Interactive speaking task

A task where the candidate must respond to the examiner or ask a question back. A monologue with no reaction loses interaction marks.