Angola 12th Grade English National Exam key terms

The most important point that a whole paragraph or passage is about. It is broader than a detail and is often stated in a topic sentence.

A sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that states what the paragraph is mainly about. The other sentences develop or support it.

A fact, example, reason, or figure that explains or proves the main idea of a passage. Details answer questions such as who, what, when, and why.

A conclusion a reader draws from clues in the text plus general knowledge, even though the writer does not state it directly. It must be supported by evidence in the passage.

Information in the words and sentences around an unknown word that helps a reader guess its meaning. Clues include definitions, examples, contrasts, and synonyms.

To read a text very quickly to get its general idea or to decide whether it is useful. Skimming means looking at headings, first sentences, and key words rather than every word.

To move the eyes quickly over a text looking for one specific piece of information, such as a date, name, or number, without reading everything.

The reason a writer produced a text, for example to inform, to persuade, to entertain, or to instruct. Purpose shapes the tone, structure, and choice of words.

The attitude a writer shows towards the subject or the reader, such as serious, humorous, angry, or friendly. Tone is created by word choice and sentence style.

A fact is a statement that can be checked and proved true or false. An opinion is a personal belief, feeling, or judgement that cannot be proved in the same way.

The noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that performs the action of a verb or about which something is said. In English the subject normally comes before the verb in statements.

A word that expresses an action, an event, or a state of being, such as run, happen, or be. Every complete sentence needs at least one finite verb.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

The form of a verb that shows when an action happens, for example present, past, or future. Tense also shows whether an action is finished or continuing.

A verb form made with have or has plus the past participle, used for actions that happened at an unstated time or continue up to now, as in 'She has finished'.

The third form of a verb, such as written, gone, or finished. It is used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses and the passive voice.

A sentence pattern in which the object of the action becomes the subject, formed with be plus a past participle, as in 'The letter was sent'. The doer may be left out.

A sentence pattern in which the subject performs the action, as in 'The teacher marked the tests'. It is usually clearer and more direct than the passive.

A sentence that describes a result depending on a condition, usually with if. The first conditional uses present tense with will; the second uses past with would.

A helping verb such as can, must, should, or may that expresses ability, obligation, permission, or possibility. It is followed by the base form of the main verb.

A clause that describes a noun and is introduced by a relative pronoun such as who, which, or that, as in 'the man who called'. It can be defining or non-defining.

A pronoun such as who, whom, whose, which, or that that introduces a relative clause and links it to the noun it describes.

A group of words that contains a subject and a finite verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence; a dependent clause cannot.

A word such as and, but, because, or although that joins words, phrases, or clauses. Conjunctions show relationships such as addition, contrast, or cause.

A word or phrase such as however, therefore, or in addition that links ideas across sentences and shows how they relate. Connectors help readers follow the logic of a text.

The way of telling what someone said without quoting their exact words, often changing pronouns and tense, as in 'She said she was tired'.

The exact words a speaker used, placed inside quotation marks and usually introduced by a reporting verb, as in 'He said, "I am ready"'.

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word, such as big and large. Synonyms are rarely identical in every context.

A word that means the opposite of another word, such as hot and cold. Antonyms are useful for understanding contrasts in a text.

A letter group added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning, such as un- in unhappy or re- in rewrite. Prefixes usually do not change the word class.

A letter group added to the end of a word to change its meaning or word class, such as -ness in kindness or -ful in helpful.

The basic part of a word that carries its main meaning and to which prefixes and suffixes can be added, such as care in careless or caring.

The process of building new words from existing ones by adding affixes or changing word class, for example turning decide into decision or decide into decisive.

A pair or group of words that habitually go together in English, such as 'make a decision' or 'heavy rain'. Using the wrong partner sounds unnatural.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words, such as 'break the ice' meaning to start a conversation.

A sentence that states the central argument or position of an essay, usually placed at the end of the introduction. It guides the whole piece of writing.

A group of sentences about one main idea, usually starting on a new line and often with an indentation. A clear paragraph has a topic sentence and supporting details.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so that a text reads as a connected whole. Cohesion is achieved through connectors, pronouns, and repeated key words.

The quality of a text whose ideas are arranged in a logical order that the reader can follow easily. Coherence concerns the overall organisation of ideas.

A letter written to someone you do not know well or to an institution, using polite, standard language, a clear purpose, and a conventional layout with addresses and a closing.

A letter to a friend or relative, using relaxed everyday language, contractions, and a personal tone. It usually opens with a greeting and ends with a friendly closing.

The level of formality in language that suits a particular situation and audience. Formal writing avoids slang and contractions, while informal writing allows them.

The marks used in writing, such as full stops, commas, and question marks, to separate ideas and make meaning clear. Correct punctuation prevents misreading.

Listening to a spoken text to catch its general meaning without understanding every word. Listeners focus on the main point, tone, and overall message.

Listening with attention to specific information such as names, numbers, times, or reasons. It usually follows a first listening for general understanding.

The extra force given to one syllable of a word or one word in a sentence when speaking. Stress helps listeners identify important information and can change meaning.

The rise and fall of the voice in speech, which can show a question, surprise, or the speaker's attitude. Intonation carries meaning beyond the words themselves.

The way a word is spoken, including its sounds, stress, and rhythm. Clear pronunciation helps a listener understand the speaker's message.