HSC Russian Continuers key terms

The central point a speaker or writer is making, as distinct from supporting details. Listeners and readers must identify it to answer questions about the purpose of a text.

The reason a text was produced, such as to persuade, inform, warn or entertain. Recognising it helps a candidate choose the best answer rather than a merely true statement.

The emotional colour of speech, for example ironic, irritated, sympathetic or enthusiastic. Intonation and word choice signal it, and questions often ask how a speaker feels.

The rise and fall of the voice across an utterance. In Russian it distinguishes statements from questions and can show surprise, doubt or emphasis without any change of wording.

The stress placed on one syllable of a Russian word. It changes meaning in pairs like замок and замок, and mishearing it can lead to a wrong answer in listening tasks.

A word in a question or text that carries the essential information, such as a name, number or time. Scanning for it speeds up matching answers to what was heard or read.

Reading quickly to locate specific information such as a date, price or name without reading every word. It is the practical strategy for timetable, advertisement and notice texts.

Skimming a text rapidly to grasp its general topic and structure before answering questions. It helps a candidate decide where detailed reading is actually needed.

The surrounding words and situation that clarify the meaning of an unfamiliar expression. Candidates should use it to infer meaning instead of stopping at an unknown word.

Working out the likely meaning of an unknown word from the sentence and situation around it. This skill keeps reading and listening fluent when vocabulary is incomplete.

Words with similar meanings, such as машина and автомобиль. Test questions often rephrase the text using synonyms, so recognising them prevents wrong answers.

Words with opposite meanings, such as дорогой and дешёвый. They frequently appear in contrasting statements that questions ask candidates to distinguish.

Expressing the same idea in different words. Correct answer options usually paraphrase the original text rather than repeat it, so literal word-matching can mislead.

Words that sound or look alike but have unrelated meanings, such as ключ as a spring and as a door key. Context is the only reliable way to choose between them.

The category of a text, such as a personal letter, advertisement, review or news report. Genre predicts layout, register and the kind of information likely to appear.

Formal language used in notices, applications and official letters, with impersonal constructions and set phrases. Recognising it helps candidates interpret tone and choose appropriate register in writing.

Informal everyday language used between friends and family, with shortened forms and colloquial words. It signals a close relationship between speakers and is common in dialogue texts.

The name or title used to address someone, such as ты, вы, господин or a first name with patronymic. It reveals the relationship and level of politeness between people.

The two Russian forms of address for 'you'. Вы marks formality, distance or plural addressees, while ты marks closeness, and choosing wrongly can sound rude.

A request phrased politely, often with пожалуйста, conditional forms such as не могли бы вы, or the imperfective imperative. It is a common function tested in writing tasks.

A personal view or judgement rather than a fact. Writing and speaking tasks frequently require candidates to state, justify and defend an opinion with reasons and examples.

A reason or piece of evidence offered to support a position. Strong arguments in exam writing are specific, linked to the claim and often introduced with words like во-первых and поэтому.

The concluding statement that sums up a text or discussion and restates the main position. Examiners look for a clear conclusion in extended writing responses.

The organisation of a piece of writing into introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. Clear structure with linking words makes a response easier to follow and scores higher.

Linking words and phrases such as однако, кроме того and следовательно that connect ideas. They guide the reader through a text and demonstrate control of written Russian.

The writer's own experiences used as supporting material in an opinion or narrative text. Concrete personal examples make writing more convincing and are expected in some task types.

A short public notice giving practical information such as a meeting time, a sale or a lost item. Reading tasks often require extracting specific details from this concise format.

A timetable listing times of classes, trains or events. Questions usually ask candidates to compare times or identify changes, so careful scanning for numbers is essential.

A spoken exchange between two or more people. Listening tasks built on dialogue require tracking who says what and how each speaker reacts.

A single turn or utterance by one speaker in a conversation. Identifying which реплика contains the answer is a basic step in responding to recorded dialogue.

Numbers, prices, times and calendar dates heard in recordings or read in texts. They are frequent answer targets and require careful listening because similar-sounding forms are easily confused.

The expression of 'no' or 'not', using не, нет, никогда and similar words. Missing a negative can reverse the meaning of a statement and produce the opposite answer.

Whether a verb refers to past, present or future. Correctly interpreting tense is essential for questions about when an event happened or is planned to happen.

The Russian distinction between imperfective and perfective verbs. It signals whether an action is ongoing, repeated or completed, which affects answers about what actually happened.

An informal letter to a friend or relative, with greetings, news, questions and a closing. It is a standard writing task requiring appropriate register and structure.

A short digital message written in an informal or semi-formal register. Tasks often specify the recipient and required points, so addressing each point fully matters.

The required length of a written response, usually stated in words. Candidates should plan content to meet the minimum without exceeding the maximum, since both affect assessment.