Aptis Advanced flashcards

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

Skimming

Reading quickly for gist by glancing at headings, first sentences and repeated topic words to establish the main idea before tackling detail questions.

Scanning

Searching a passage rapidly for a specific item such as a name, date or figure, ignoring surrounding text until the target element is located.

Cohesion

The way sentences link through reference words, conjunctions and lexical repetition so that a text reads as a connected whole rather than isolated statements.

Inference item

A question asking what a text implies rather than states; the answer is supported by clues but never written word for word in the passage.

Distractor

An incorrect option made attractive by repeating vocabulary from the passage while altering or contradicting the meaning the text actually conveys.

Gist

The overall main idea or communicative purpose of a text, expressible in one sentence without any of the supporting detail.

Topic sentence

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states that paragraph's controlling idea and predicts what the following sentences will develop.

Register

The level of formality in language, from casual spoken style to formal academic prose, signalled by vocabulary choice, contractions and sentence structure.

Paraphrase recognition

Hearing an idea expressed in different words from the question; the correct answer seldom repeats the exact wording of the recording.

Signposting language

Words and phrases such as 'however', 'firstly' or 'in conclusion' that show how a speaker organises and connects the points being made.

Note completion

A listening task in which candidates write short answers into gaps in a set of notes while following the structure of what the speaker says.

Hedging

Language such as 'might', 'perhaps' or 'it seems' that softens a claim and signals the speaker is not fully committed to its certainty.

Speaker attitude

The stance or feeling a speaker conveys through intonation, stress and word choice, which listening items may ask the candidate to identify.

Elision

The dropping of sounds in fast connected speech, as when 'next day' sounds like 'nex day', which can obscure where one word ends.

Contraction

A reduced spoken and written form such as 'I'll' or 'we've'; recognising these is essential because natural speech uses them constantly while questions may not.

Task fulfilment

The marking criterion measuring whether a response covers every part of the prompt with appropriate content, length and communicative purpose.

Coherence

The logical ordering of ideas so a reader can follow the argument, achieved through paragraphing and clear progression from one point to the next.

Cohesion devices

Linking words, pronouns and referencing phrases such as 'this trend' or 'in addition' that connect sentences and paragraphs smoothly together.

Register shift

Adjusting formality to suit the reader: contractions and direct address for a friend, impersonal structures and full forms for an official recipient.

Formal email opening

The conventional first line of a formal message, such as 'I am writing to enquire about', which states the purpose immediately and politely.

Sign-off

The closing formula of a letter or email, such as 'Yours sincerely' or 'Best regards', chosen to match the formality of the message.

Word limit

The stated range of words for a writing task; responses far below it lose marks for underdevelopment and far above risk irrelevance penalties.

Complex sentence

A sentence containing a main clause plus at least one subordinate clause, used to demonstrate grammatical range at advanced proficiency levels.

Editing

The final review stage in which the writer checks agreement, tense consistency, articles, spelling and punctuation before submitting a written response.

Fluency

The ability to speak at a steady pace with few pauses, hesitations or self-corrections that interrupt the listener's understanding of the message.

Discourse markers

Spoken linking phrases such as 'well', 'to be honest' or 'on the other hand' that organise what is said and manage the flow of talk.

Intonation

The rise and fall of pitch across an utterance, used to signal questions, emphasis, turn endings and the speaker's emotional stance.

Fillers

Short hesitation devices such as 'erm' or 'you know'; occasional use sounds natural, but frequent use lowers fluency ratings noticeably.

Turn-taking

Managing the exchange of speaking turns through pauses, intonation and phrases that signal you are finishing or wish to begin.

Elaboration

Extending an answer with reasons, examples or consequences instead of stopping after a single short sentence, which raises coherence scores.

Topic management

Keeping a monologue on track by introducing, developing and rounding off points so the listener never loses the thread.

Intelligibility

Being understood by a listener despite an accent; clear individual sounds, word stress and sentence stress matter more than accent reduction.