Aptis Advanced key terms

Reading a text quickly to get its general idea. You look at headings, first sentences and key words rather than reading every word in order.

Moving your eyes quickly over a text to find one specific piece of information, such as a name, date or figure, without reading everything.

A conclusion you draw from clues in a text or recording rather than from something stated directly. The answer is suggested but never written word for word.

The overall meaning or main point of a text or recording, as opposed to its individual details or examples.

An answer option or phrase that looks correct but is wrong. It often repeats words from the text while changing the meaning.

To express the same meaning in different words. Exam questions usually paraphrase the text, so an exact word match can be misleading.

A reading task in which you choose the statement that best summarises each paragraph, testing main ideas rather than small details.

A task in which words are removed from a text and you must supply them, using grammar and meaning to work out what is missing.

A word such as 'it', 'this' or 'they' that points back to something already mentioned. Tracking it helps you follow the argument.

Meaning the writer suggests without stating it directly, often signalled by word choice, tone or what is deliberately left out.

A word or phrase, such as a pronoun, conjunction or linking adverb, that connects ideas across sentences and shows how they relate.

Using the question and the first few seconds of a recording to guess what is coming, so you know which information to listen for.

Words and phrases such as 'firstly', 'however' or 'to sum up' that reveal the structure of a talk and where the speaker is going.

Writing brief keywords or symbols while you listen, so you can answer questions later without losing your place in the recording.

A recording in which one person speaks continuously, such as a talk, an announcement or a voicemail message, rather than a conversation.

The way pronunciation differs between regions and groups of speakers. Advanced listening tests may include several varieties of English.

A question that asks for one fact from a recording, such as a time, price or reason, rather than the speaker's overall message.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main point and tells the reader what follows.

A group of sentences about one idea, normally opened by a topic sentence and kept separate from the next idea.

A conjunction or adverb such as 'however', 'therefore' or 'in addition' that shows the relationship between two ideas.

The level of formality in language, from very formal to very informal, chosen to suit the reader and the situation.

A message written with polite, standard phrasing, full forms and no slang, typically to someone you do not know well.

A piece of writing that states a view on an issue and supports it with reasons and examples, usually acknowledging the other side.

The maximum or minimum number of words allowed for a task. Going far outside it can lose marks.

Checking your finished writing for mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation and word choice before you submit it.

How fully your answer does what the question asks: covering every point, staying on topic and using the right format.

Spending a short time before writing to note ideas and their order, so the answer is organised and covers all the points.

The ability to speak at a steady pace with few long pauses, without too much repetition or self-correction.

The quality of being easy to follow, because ideas are in a logical order and connected with suitable linking language.

How clearly and accurately you produce sounds, word stress and intonation so that a listener can understand you.

The extra force given to a particular syllable or word. Correct stress helps listeners identify the important word.

The rise and fall of the voice across a sentence, which can signal a question, a finished thought or a change of attitude.

A sound or word such as 'um' or 'you know' used to hold the floor while you think. A few are natural; too many reduce fluency.

The way speakers in a conversation alternate, knowing when to start, pause or hand over the speaking role.

A card in a speaking test that gives a topic and points to cover, usually after a short preparation time.

A speaking task in which one candidate talks alone for a set time, often one to two minutes, without interruption.

The variety of structures you can use accurately, from simple sentences to complex forms such as conditionals and relative clauses.

The ability to keep a conversation going: responding to the other person, asking questions and developing their ideas.