NSW Selective key terms

A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than from an explicit statement. Readers combine clues in a text with prior knowledge to work out what is implied but not directly said.

A meaning suggested indirectly by words or events rather than stated outright. Recognising implications helps readers understand a character's motives or an author's attitude without being told directly.

Specific details, quotations or facts in a text that support a claim or answer. Strong answers cite evidence rather than relying on general impressions of what the passage seems to say.

The central point a passage conveys, summing up what the whole text is mostly about. It is broader than a single detail and is usually supported by several examples or reasons.

A brief restatement of a text's key points in the reader's own words, leaving out minor details. A good summary captures the main idea and the most important supporting information.

Restating the meaning of a sentence or passage using different words while keeping the original sense. It shows understanding and is useful when answering questions that reword the text.

The attitude an author or speaker conveys through word choice, such as humorous, critical, sympathetic or neutral. Tone is often revealed by adjectives and the way events are described.

The overall feeling or atmosphere a text creates in the reader, such as suspense, sadness or calm. Mood is built through setting, imagery and the sounds and rhythms of language.

The feelings or associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. For example, 'slim' sounds positive while 'skinny' can sound negative, though both describe a similar body type.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, separate from any emotional associations it may carry. Distinguishing denotation from connotation helps readers judge why an author chose a particular word.

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. Recognising synonyms helps readers match ideas across sentences and answer questions that reword the original text.

A word that means the opposite of another word, such as 'generous' and 'stingy'. Antonyms often appear in questions asking which word is most opposite in meaning to a word from the passage.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, helping readers picture a scene, sound, smell or feeling. Writers use imagery to create atmosphere and make descriptions vivid and memorable.

A figure of speech that describes one thing as if it were another, without using 'like' or 'as', such as 'the classroom was a zoo'. It creates vivid comparisons.

A comparison between two different things using 'like' or 'as', such as 'her laugh was like a bell'. Similes make descriptions more vivid by linking an unfamiliar idea to a familiar one.

A statement that can be verified as true or false through evidence or observation. Distinguishing facts from opinions is a common reading task in comprehension passages.

A statement expressing a belief, judgment or feeling that cannot be proved true or false. Opinions often contain evaluative words such as 'best', 'unfair' or 'should'.

An unfair preference or slant that influences how information is presented. Readers should notice loaded words, omitted viewpoints or one-sided evidence that reveal an author's bias.

The order in which events or steps occur in a text. Recognising sequence words such as 'first', 'then' and 'finally' helps readers follow narratives and instructions accurately.

The relationship in which one event or action makes another happen. Identifying cause and effect helps readers explain why something occurred in a story or information text.

A number representing part of a whole, written as one number over another, such as three-quarters. The bottom number shows how many equal parts the whole is divided into.

A number written using a decimal point to show values smaller than one, such as 0.75. Decimals and fractions can represent the same amount in different forms.

A fraction or ratio expressed as a number out of one hundred, shown with the percent symbol. For example, 25% means 25 out of every 100, or one quarter.

A comparison of two or more quantities showing how much of one exists relative to another, such as 3:2. Ratios are used in scaling recipes, maps and mixing problems.

A statement that two ratios are equal, or a relationship showing how quantities change together. Solving proportion problems involves finding an unknown value using equivalent ratios.

The sum of a set of numbers divided by how many numbers there are. The mean gives a single value representing the centre of the data set.

The middle value in a set of numbers arranged in order from smallest to largest. If there is an even number of values, the median is the mean of the two middle ones.

The difference between the largest and smallest values in a data set. It gives a simple measure of how spread out the numbers are.

The total distance around the outside edge of a shape, found by adding the lengths of all its sides. Perimeter is measured in units such as centimetres or metres.

The amount of flat surface a shape covers, measured in square units such as square centimetres. Common formulas include length times width for rectangles.

The amount of space a three-dimensional object occupies, measured in cubic units. For a rectangular prism it is found by multiplying length, width and height.

A mathematical phrase combining numbers, variables and operations, such as 3x + 5. Unlike an equation, it has no equals sign and represents a value to be evaluated or simplified.

A letter or symbol standing for an unknown or changing number in a mathematical expression or equation. Finding its value is often the goal of a problem.

A mathematical statement showing that two expressions are equal, joined by an equals sign. Solving an equation means finding the value of the unknown that makes it true.

A regular arrangement of numbers, shapes or events that follows a rule. Identifying the rule allows you to predict what comes next in the sequence.

Reasoning that moves from general rules to a specific conclusion that must follow if the rules are true. Deductive conclusions are certain rather than merely probable.

Reasoning that uses specific observations to form a general rule or conclusion. Inductive conclusions are probable rather than certain, because future cases may not match past ones.

A broad statement drawn from particular examples, such as concluding that all members of a group share a trait. Careless generalisations can be weakened by a single counterexample.

A single case that shows a general statement or rule is false. Finding a counterexample is a powerful way to test whether a claim is always true.

An unstated belief that a piece of reasoning depends on. Identifying hidden assumptions helps you judge whether an argument is sound or whether it rests on shaky ground.

A set of statements in which reasons are offered to support a conclusion. A good argument gives relevant evidence, while a weak one may rely on emotion or faulty reasoning.

The main claim that an argument tries to establish, usually supported by reasons or evidence. Identifying the conclusion helps you evaluate whether the reasoning is convincing.

The study of correct reasoning, especially the rules that determine whether conclusions follow from premises. Logical thinking helps you spot inconsistencies and evaluate arguments fairly.

A relationship in which two things tend to occur together. Correlation does not prove causation, because a third factor or coincidence may explain the link.

A sentence, usually near the start of an essay, that states the main claim the writer will develop. It guides the structure and keeps the writing focused.

A sentence, often the first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main point. The remaining sentences should support or explain it with detail and evidence.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked smoothly so ideas flow logically. Cohesion is achieved through connectives, pronouns and repeated key words.

The quality of writing that is clear, logically organised and easy to follow as a whole. A coherent piece has a clear structure and ideas that build on each other.

A word or phrase such as 'however', 'therefore' or 'in addition' that links ideas and shows their relationship. Connectives help readers follow the direction of an argument.

A group of sentences about one main idea, usually beginning with a topic sentence. Paragraphs organise writing and make it easier for readers to follow.

Language that goes beyond literal meaning to create effect, including metaphors, similes and personification. It makes writing more vivid and expressive.

A figure of speech giving human qualities to non-human things, such as 'the wind whispered'. It is used to create atmosphere and make descriptions more engaging.

Marks such as commas, full stops, apostrophes and quotation marks used to clarify meaning and structure in writing. Correct punctuation helps readers understand where ideas begin and end.

The way words and clauses are arranged to form sentences, including simple, compound and complex types. Varied sentence structure makes writing clearer and more interesting.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb. A main clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a subordinate clause depends on another clause for its meaning.

The intended readers of a piece of writing. A writer's choice of vocabulary, tone and level of detail should suit the audience's knowledge and expectations.

The reason a writer produces a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain or instruct. Purpose shapes the text's structure, language and level of formality.