HSC Arabic Continuers key terms

A household made up of two parents and their dependent children living together. It contrasts with extended-family arrangements and often appears in texts about changing household structures in modern Arab societies.

A family network that includes grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins alongside the immediate household. Texts often discuss the mutual support and obligations this network creates, and how urban migration affects it.

The bond linking relatives by blood or marriage. In reading tasks it signals relationships between characters, so candidates must identify who is related to whom and how close the connection is.

The process of raising and shaping a child's behaviour, values and habits, mainly within the family. It differs from formal schooling and often appears in discussions about parental responsibility and generational change.

The way a society transmits its values, customs and expected behaviour to new members, beginning in the family and continuing at school and in the community. Useful when analysing texts on identity and tradition.

The duty of children to treat parents with deference, care and obedience, a value strongly emphasised in Arab family life and religious teaching. It often explains a character's decisions in narrative texts.

Mutual solidarity in which members of a family or community share resources and support those in need. It appears in texts about charity, care for the elderly and neighbourhood cooperation.

A neighbourhood or residential district within a town or city. Descriptions of a حي typically include local shops, mosques, schools and the character of the people living there.

The relationship and mutual rights between neighbours. Texts may describe good جيرة as involving help, quiet and respect, and may contrast it with disputes over noise or parking.

Outlying districts on the edge of a city, often residential and sometimes newer or more affordable than the centre. Reading tasks may compare life in الضواحي with life downtown.

Housing shared by several unrelated people, common among students and young workers in cities. Texts often raise issues of cost, privacy and household rules in this arrangement.

The rising cost of everyday living, including rent, food and transport. It is a frequent theme in texts about young people delaying marriage or moving to cheaper areas.

Movement of people within one country, usually from rural areas to cities in search of work or education. It explains urban growth and changes to traditional family life in many texts.

The customary practices and inherited conventions of a community, covering celebrations, hospitality and dress. Candidates should distinguish عادات (habits) from تقاليد (traditions) and discuss how both change over time.

A community's popular heritage, including folk stories, proverbs, music and crafts passed down between generations. Texts may discuss efforts to preserve it or its role in shaping identity.

The sense of belonging to a particular culture, shaped by language, religion, customs and history. It often appears in texts about migrants, diaspora communities and second-generation youth.

A feeling of estrangement or of being out of place, often experienced by migrants or people living far from home. It can describe physical separation or an inner sense of alienation.

The country or region where an emigrant settles, away from the homeland. Texts about المهجر often explore questions of integration, language maintenance and ties to the country of origin.

A celebration or festive gathering marking an occasion such as a wedding, graduation or national day. Descriptions of احتفالات usually include place, guests, food and the mood of the event.

A national occasion such as independence day or a national day, marked by public ceremonies and speeches. Texts may ask candidates to identify the purpose and tone of such celebrations.

Historic buildings and architectural styles inherited from earlier generations, such as old mosques, souks and houses. Texts often discuss restoring or protecting such sites from redevelopment.

A gathering held to offer condolences after a death. Knowing this term helps candidates follow narrative texts about loss, mourning customs and community support for the bereaved family.

The state of being without paid work while able and seeking it. It is a standard topic in texts on youth unemployment, job skills and government training programmes.

The ability to support oneself financially without relying on parents or others. Texts often link it to employment, saving and the decision to leave the family home.

Unpaid work done to benefit others, such as helping at charities, hospitals or community clean-ups. Texts may ask about motivation, benefits to the volunteer and the value to society.

Long-term shifts in global temperature and weather patterns, largely caused by human activity. Texts often discuss water scarcity, droughts and renewable energy in Arabic-speaking regions.

Using resources in a way that meets present needs without harming future generations. It appears in texts about water conservation, recycling, farming and urban planning.

Leaving school before completing a stage of education. Texts often examine causes such as poverty, distance from school or family pressure, and suggest possible solutions.

An opinion article in a newspaper or magazine, written to persuade readers about a current issue. Candidates should recognise its thesis, supporting arguments and formal register.

An editorial expressing the official view of a publication rather than an individual writer. It uses persuasive language and is often paired with letters to the editor in reading tasks.

A short letter written by a reader to a newspaper, reacting to a published item or raising a complaint. Its tone is usually personal yet argumentative, and it has a clear salutation and closing.

Formal written communication such as a letter to a company or government office, using polite formulas and standard openings and closings. Candidates must match register and structure to this text type.

A promotional notice designed to attract attention and persuade readers to buy, attend or act. Candidates should identify its audience, key selling points and any contact details it provides.

A shortened restatement of a text's main points in the writer's own words. In writing tasks it must keep the original meaning while cutting detail, examples and repetition.

The central point a paragraph or whole text is making, as distinct from supporting details. Identifying it is a core reading skill tested through multiple-choice and short-answer items.

Working out meaning that is implied rather than stated directly, using clues in the text. Questions may ask what a speaker's attitude or intention probably is.

Modern Standard Arabic, the formal variety used in writing, news and official speech across the Arab world. Candidates are expected to recognise it and use it in their own written responses.

A regional spoken variety of Arabic differing from Modern Standard Arabic in vocabulary and grammar. Texts may include it in dialogue to show character, setting or informality.