NSW Selective flashcards

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

Main idea

The central point covering the whole passage, not one detail. Test each option by asking whether every paragraph supports it.

Inference

A conclusion the text forces without stating it directly. If an option needs information the passage never gives, reject it.

Author's purpose

The reason the writer produced the text, such as to inform, persuade, warn, describe or entertain. It applies to the whole text.

Tone

The writer's attitude, revealed by word choice. Classify it as positive, neutral or negative, then pick the precise word such as sceptical or approving.

Fact versus opinion

A fact can be checked or measured; an opinion expresses a judgement using words like should, best or unfair. Question stems often ask you to separate them.

Vocabulary in context

A word's meaning as fixed by its sentence. Substitute each option into the original sentence and keep only the one that preserves the logic.

Simile and metaphor

A simile compares using like or as; a metaphor states one thing is another. Both create imagery rather than literal description.

Sequence of events

The order in which things happen. Time markers such as first, after, meanwhile and later establish the chain before you check the options.

Percentage change

Change divided by the original value, multiplied by 100. A 20% increase followed by a 20% decrease leaves 96% of the starting amount.

Average speed for two legs

When two equal distances are covered at speeds a and b, average speed is 2ab divided by (a + b). It is never the simple mean.

Sum of first n integers

The total 1 + 2 + ... + n equals n(n + 1) divided by 2. For example, the first 10 integers sum to 55.

Handshake problem

The number of pairings among n people is n(n − 1) divided by 2, because each pair is counted twice if you multiply every person by every other.

Exterior angle of triangle

An exterior angle equals the sum of the two opposite interior angles. The three interior angles always total 180 degrees.

Polygon interior angle sum

For a polygon with n sides, interior angles total (n − 2) times 180 degrees. A quadrilateral therefore totals 360 degrees.

Trapezium area

Area equals half the sum of the two parallel sides multiplied by the perpendicular height between them, written as ½(a + b)h.

Ratio sharing

Add the ratio numbers to get total parts, divide the amount by total parts to find one part, then multiply by each ratio number.

Working backwards

To find an unknown before a chain of operations, reverse the order and apply the inverse of each operation, such as subtracting instead of adding.

Divisibility by 3 and 9

A number is divisible by 3 if its digit sum is a multiple of 3, and by 9 if its digit sum is a multiple of 9.

Simple probability

The chance of an event equals favourable outcomes divided by total equally likely outcomes. All outcome probabilities in a sample space sum to 1.

Contrapositive

From 'if P then Q' you may validly conclude 'if not Q then not P'. The converse, 'if Q then P', does not follow and is a common trap.

Necessary versus sufficient

'Only if' marks a necessary condition, which must hold. 'If' marks a sufficient condition, which guarantees the result on its own.

Counterexample

A single case that satisfies the premises but breaks the conclusion. One counterexample is enough to disprove a general claim.

Strengthening an argument

Adding evidence that supports the unstated assumption linking reasons to conclusion. Weakening does the reverse by showing that assumption fails.

Correlation versus causation

Two things occurring together does not prove one causes the other. Reverse causation, a third factor or coincidence may explain the link.

Hasty generalisation

A flaw where a broad conclusion is drawn from too few or unrepresentative examples, such as judging a whole school from two students.

False dilemma

A flaw that presents only two options when others exist, forcing a choice between extremes such as 'either agree or leave'.

Circular reasoning

A flaw where the conclusion is quietly assumed among the premises, so the argument restates its claim instead of supporting it.

Ordering puzzle method

Draw a line of slots, place fixed items first, then apply clues about immediately before, after or not adjacent, testing each constraint in turn.

Persuasive essay structure

Open with a hook and thesis, develop two or three body paragraphs each carrying one claim with evidence, then close by restating the position.

Show, don't tell

Replace stated emotions with concrete action, dialogue or sensory detail, so readers infer the feeling from evidence rather than being told it.

Sentence variety

Mixing simple, compound and complex sentences controls rhythm. Complex sentences attach a dependent clause using words like because, although or while.

Semicolon use

A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related, replacing a full stop. It never joins a clause to a fragment.