Angola Higher War College (ESG) Exam key terms

Agreement between a verb and its subject in number and person, so that a singular subject takes a singular verb form and a plural subject takes a plural form.

Agreement in gender and number between a noun and the articles, adjectives, numerals and pronouns that modify it.

The relationship in which one word, usually a verb or noun, requires a particular preposition or construction in the words that follow it.

The fusion of the preposition 'a' with the feminine article or demonstrative 'a', marked with a grave accent, as in 'à escola'.

The accepted system of spelling words in a language, covering letters, accents and hyphenation rules.

The linking of sentences and paragraphs through connectors, pronouns and repetition so that a text reads as a connected whole.

The logical consistency of a text, in which ideas follow one another without contradiction and stay relevant to the stated topic.

A written text that develops and defends a point of view on a topic, usually organised as introduction, development and conclusion.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, as opposed to meanings it carries through association or imagery.

The additional meaning a word suggests beyond its literal sense, such as emotional or cultural associations.

A way of expressing a proportion as a part of one hundred, so that 25% means 25 parts in every 100.

A method for finding an unknown value when two quantities are related proportionally, by setting up and solving an equation of ratios.

A statement that two ratios are equal, allowing one unknown quantity to be calculated from three known ones.

The comparison of two quantities of the same kind by division, expressed as a quotient such as 3 to 4.

A sequence in which each term is obtained by adding a fixed constant to the previous term.

A sequence in which each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a fixed constant.

A relationship in which the output changes by a constant amount for each unit change in the input, drawn as a straight line.

An equation in which every variable appears to the first power only, so its solutions form a straight line or plane.

The rule that in a right-angled triangle the square of the longest side equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

A measure of central tendency found by adding all values and dividing the total by the number of values.

A number between zero and one expressing how likely an event is, calculated as favourable outcomes divided by all equally likely outcomes.

The disciplined habit of examining claims, evidence and reasoning before accepting a conclusion, checking for bias and unsupported assumptions.

A statement offered as a reason in support of a conclusion in an argument.

An error in reasoning that makes an argument appear convincing when the conclusion does not actually follow from the reasons given.

Reasoning in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the premises, so that true premises cannot lead to a false conclusion.

Reasoning that moves from particular observations to a general conclusion, which is probable rather than certain.

The forced transport of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic to the Americas, in which the Angolan coast was a major source region.

A powerful state centred in northern Angola and the lower Congo, which traded and clashed with Portugal from the fifteenth century onward.

Seventeenth-century ruler of Ndongo and Matamba who resisted Portuguese expansion and is remembered as a symbol of Angolan sovereignty.

The armed struggle waged by Angolan nationalist movements against Portuguese colonial rule, leading to independence in 1975.

The January 1975 agreement between Portugal and the three Angolan liberation movements setting terms for the transfer of power and independence.

Angola's attainment of sovereignty on 11 November 1975, ending nearly five centuries of Portuguese colonial presence.

The internal armed conflict that followed independence and lasted until 2002, involving rival movements and foreign intervention.

The process of rebuilding trust and peaceful coexistence among groups divided by conflict, central to Angola's post-2002 stabilisation.

The status of belonging to a state, carrying rights, duties and participation in public life.

Attachment and loyalty to one's country, expressed through respect for its symbols, institutions and common good.

The flag, anthem and coat of arms that represent the state and are protected by law and treated with respect.

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference, within its recognised borders.

The condition in which a state protects its people, territory, institutions and interests from internal and external threats.

The principle that a state's borders and territory must remain whole and may not be altered or violated by others.