Aptis for Teens flashcards

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

Present perfect with since

Use have/has + past participle with since plus a starting point (since 2020, since Monday). It shows an action or state continuing up to now.

Present perfect with for

Use have/has + past participle with for plus a length of time (for three years, for ten minutes). It describes duration continuing to the present moment.

Past simple time markers

Words like yesterday, last week, in 2019, and two days ago signal a finished past time. They never combine with present perfect in the same clause.

Second conditional form

If + past simple, then would + base verb. It describes an unreal or unlikely present situation, as in: If I had more time, I would join the club.

Uncountable nouns list

Information, advice, furniture, news, luggage, and homework take no plural -s and no a/an. Use much or a piece of instead of many.

Question auxiliary rule

Present-simple questions use do or does plus the base verb; past-simple questions use did plus the base verb. The main verb never takes -s or -ed.

Comparative adjective rules

Short adjectives add -er plus than (cheaper than). Adjectives of three or more syllables use more plus adjective plus than (more expensive than).

Common collocation pairs

Fixed verb-noun partners tested at Core level include make a decision, do homework, take part in, pay attention to, and keep in touch.

Reading gap-fill strategy

Decide which word class the gap needs (noun, verb, preposition) from surrounding grammar, then confirm the chosen option matches the sentence meaning.

Cohesive devices in ordering

Text-ordering tasks rely on pronouns (it, they, this), sequence markers (first, then, finally), and repeated nouns that link one sentence to the next.

Scanning for anchors

Before close reading, locate names, numbers, and dates in the passage. The answer sentence usually sits within two lines of that anchor word.

Distractor reversal pattern

Wrong options often reuse exact words from the text but reverse the logic, swapping cause with effect or before with after. Check the direction.

Inference question rule

Inference items ask what the text implies rather than states. Reject any option that needs information not present in the passage.

Opinion-matching method

Match each named person to a keyword position in the text. Confirm whether the task allows one person to match several statements.

Reading task progression

Aptis Reading moves from sentence-gap matching to text ordering, then short-text comprehension, then long-text heading or opinion matching.

Listening number contrasts

Teens and tens sound alike: fifteen versus fifty, thirteen versus thirty. Listen for the stress pattern and the final -teen or -ty ending.

Listening correction signals

Words like actually, but, instead, and make it signal that a first-mentioned detail is being changed. The later figure is usually the answer.

Audio question order

In longer Aptis Listening tasks, questions follow the order of the recording. Answer each one as you hear it rather than saving them for the end.

Attitude listening cues

For opinion questions, track verbs like prefer, can't stand, and would rather, plus intonation. These reveal feeling where facts alone do not.

Time preposition patterns

Use at with clock times, on with days and dates, and in with months, years, and parts of the day. These frames anchor listening answers.

Single-play listening rule

Aptis Listening audio plays once. If a detail is missed, drop it immediately and rejoin the recording at the next question.

Writing part three message

A short informal message of roughly 30-40 words must address every listed point. Each unanswered point loses marks regardless of length.

Formal email frame

Open with Dear Mr or Ms plus surname, state purpose, give body points, close with I look forward to hearing from you and Yours sincerely.

Informal message frame

Open with Hi plus first name, use contractions, and close with Best wishes or See you soon. Contractions are acceptable in informal writing only.

Writing range markers

Higher Writing bands need at least one complex sentence (because, although, which) and linking phrases such as however or in addition.

Word count as minimum

Word-count guidance in Aptis Writing is a floor, not a target. Meeting it with relevant content scores higher than padding with repetition.

Speaking picture description

Describe place first (foreground, background), then people and actions in present continuous, then one speculation using might be or looks as if.

Speaking comparison formula

State one similarity using both or whereas, then one difference, then a personal preference supported by a reason.

Speaking topic structure

Long-turn answers follow: opinion, two supporting reasons, one concrete example, and a brief conclusion. This shape sustains fluency for two minutes.

Fluency filler phrases

Well, let me think, and that's an interesting question buy planning time without long pauses. Silence scores zero in timed speaking tasks.

Speaking timing rule

Short Aptis Speaking parts allow roughly 30-45 seconds; the topic part allows up to two minutes. Keep talking until the prompt ends.

Word ending clarity

Pronunciation is scored on intelligibility. Slow down on final -s and -ed endings because they carry grammar meaning and affect accuracy marks.