Aptis General flashcards

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

Reading part 1 task

Match seven short sentences to seven notices or messages. Each option is used exactly once, so each correct match removes one option and narrows the remaining choices.

Cohesion gap clues

When inserting sentences into a gapped text, track pronouns (it, they, this), articles (a vs the), and time linkers, because the sentence must refer back to something already mentioned.

Heading vs detail trap

A paragraph heading states the paragraph's main idea, so a heading that matches one striking detail but ignores the rest of the paragraph is a distractor.

Paraphrase in answer options

Correct answers in longer reading texts usually restate the passage in different words, while wrong options often repeat exact words from the text with a changed meaning.

Scope distractor

A wrong option that changes quantity or certainty, for example saying all when the text says some, or always when the text says often.

Cause-effect reversal

A distractor that keeps the passage's words but swaps which event caused which, so check the direction of because, lead to, and result in.

Reading time allocation

The reading section is roughly 30-35 minutes; the final long text should get about 10-12 minutes, and earlier matching parts should not consume more than half the total.

Discourse markers for ordering

Words such as however, therefore, for example, and in addition signal logical relationships between sentences, so they indicate which sentence must come before or after another.

Writing part 1 scoring

Word-level items in short forms are marked only on exact spelling, with one word per gap, so a correctly understood but misspelled answer earns no mark.

Three-point message task

The short writing task gives three things to include; all three must be addressed because an omitted point limits the task-completion score regardless of accurate grammar.

Formal register markers

Formal writing avoids contractions and slang and uses full forms such as do not, plus a standard opening (Dear Sir or Madam) and closing (Yours faithfully).

Writing part 4 criteria

The long writing task is marked on task completion, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, punctuation, and cohesion, so all five areas must be developed deliberately.

Cohesion linker variety

Cohesion is scored separately, so responses should use several different linkers such as however, therefore, in addition, and whereas instead of repeating and or but.

Word count as floor

Stated word counts are minimums; writing 10-20% above the minimum while still answering the task supports the range and task-completion scores.

Punctuation and grammar band

Missing capital letters and comma splices are counted as errors under grammar and punctuation, so sentence boundaries should be checked before submitting.

Justifying an opinion

In longer writing tasks, stating a view is not enough; the response must give reasons and examples, since unsupported opinions score lower on task completion.

Informal message features

Short informal messages allow contractions and direct address, and typically open with Hi plus a name and close with a brief sign-off.

Listening part 1 format

Short recordings with three-option choices where the answer is stated fairly directly, often with a single paraphrase of the words in the option.

Listening replay policy

Each Aptis General Listening recording is played twice, so the first listening can establish the topic and the second confirms the selected answer.

Self-correction distractor

Speakers often mention a wrong figure or name and then repair it with actually or I mean, so the corrected information is the answer.

Unit traps in numbers

Prices and times may be quoted per person, per night, or in total, and the question asks for one of these, so the unit must be matched to the question.

Sequential question order

In conversation-based listening parts, questions follow the order of the audio, so answers can be located by moving forward through the recording rather than scanning randomly.

Listening part 4 focus

The longest recording tests inference, speaker attitude, and purpose, so the answer often requires combining two statements rather than hearing one explicit line.

Matching option elimination

In matching listening tasks each option is used once, so marking options as consumed prevents reusing an answer and speeds up the remaining choices.

Speaker attitude vocabulary

Words such as sceptical, relieved, and reluctant describe stance; recognising them is needed because attitude questions ask how the speaker feels, not what happened.

Speaking part 1 timing

Two personal questions, each with 30 seconds of preparation and 45 seconds of speaking, with answers built from one direct response plus a reason and an example.

Photo description structure

A 45-second photograph description after 45 seconds of preparation, organised as foreground, background, people and actions, then a personal reaction.

Speaking part 3 compare task

Candidates compare two pictures and answer two follow-up questions, with 45 seconds of preparation and about 45 seconds for each spoken response.

Speaking part 4 abstraction

Two abstract questions with one minute of preparation; the second requires evaluation and reasoning rather than description of personal experience.

Speaking scoring criteria

Recorded answers are rated on fluency, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, pronunciation, and coherence, so range matters as much as correctness.

Silence penalty

Because responses are fixed-length and timed, long pauses reduce fluency scores; speaking for most of the allotted time with connected ideas scores better than stopping early.

Content-based hesitation fillers

Instead of repeating um, extend an answer with a reason, a contrast, or an example, which maintains fluency while adding grammatical range and coherence.