TASC Chinese key terms

The central point a speaker wants listeners to remember. It is usually stated early or restated at the end, and every supporting detail should connect back to it.

Specific facts, examples, or reasons that explain or prove a main idea. In a listening passage, they often appear as numbers, names, or short examples after the main point.

An idea the speaker suggests without saying it directly. Listeners infer it from word choice, tone of voice, and what is left unsaid rather than from a stated sentence.

The speaker's attitude toward the topic, such as serious, humorous, or critical. Tone is heard through pitch, stress, and word choice, and it changes how a message should be understood.

Words or phrases such as 'however' or 'therefore' that signal how ideas connect. They help listeners follow a shift, a contrast, a cause, or a conclusion in spoken text.

A question or statement that asks the speaker to explain something more clearly. It shows active listening and helps the listener confirm understanding before responding.

Restating a speaker's message in your own words while keeping the meaning. It demonstrates comprehension and is often used before answering a question or offering an opinion.

The reason a person is speaking, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or request. Identifying it helps listeners judge which details matter and how to respond appropriately.

Surrounding words and situations that help a listener guess the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Examples, restatements, and contrasts nearby often reveal what the word means.

The main position a writer argues for in a text. It is usually stated in one sentence and every paragraph should support it with reasons and evidence.

Facts, examples, statistics, or expert opinions used to support a claim. Strong evidence is relevant, specific, and can be checked rather than being a personal feeling.

An opposing view that a writer acknowledges and then answers. Including one makes an argument stronger because it shows the writer has considered other positions fairly.

The reason an author writes a text, such as to inform, persuade, explain, or entertain. Word choice, structure, and genre all give clues about that purpose.

A technique a writer uses to make language more effective, such as repetition, rhetorical questions, or vivid imagery. These devices shape how readers feel and what they notice.

The difference between statements that can be proven and statements that express beliefs or feelings. Recognizing the difference helps readers judge whether a text is reliable and well supported.

A text structure that explains why something happened and what resulted. Signal words such as 'because,' 'so,' and 'as a result' help readers trace the chain of events.

A short restatement of a text's main ideas in your own words. A good summary leaves out minor details and keeps the order and meaning of the original.

A category of writing, such as narrative, expository, persuasive, or poetry. Knowing the genre helps readers predict structure, language, and the kind of evidence to expect.

Using another writer's exact words, marked with quotation marks and credited to the source. Quotations provide direct evidence and should be explained rather than simply dropped in.

Saying clearly what you think about a topic in one or two sentences. A strong position is specific, answers the prompt, and can be supported with reasons.

Giving reasons, examples, or facts that make a spoken opinion convincing. In a speaking test, two or three clear supports are usually stronger than a long list of vague claims.

The way ideas in a speech are linked so they flow smoothly. Speakers create it with transition words, repeated key terms, and a logical order from point to point.

How fast or slowly a person speaks. A moderate pace with short pauses helps listeners follow ideas, while rushing can make even correct answers hard to understand.

The quality of being easy to understand when speaking. Clear pronunciation, enough volume, and organized ideas matter more than complicated vocabulary or a perfect accent.

Adjusting what you say and how you say it for the people listening. It includes choosing an appropriate level of formality and explaining terms the audience may not know.

Answering a question with little or no preparation time. A useful strategy is to pause briefly, state a position, give one or two supports, and end with a short conclusion.

The sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph. It usually comes first and tells readers what the rest of the paragraph will explain or prove.

A group of sentences about one main idea. A well-developed paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting details, and a closing or linking sentence.

Words or sentences that connect one idea or paragraph to the next. Transitions show relationships such as addition, contrast, or cause and prevent abrupt jumps in writing.

Matching subjects with verbs and pronouns with the nouns they refer to. Errors in agreement confuse readers, so check singular and plural forms during revision.

The verb form that shows when an action happens, such as past, present, or future. Writers should keep tenses consistent within a sentence or a clearly connected group of sentences.

Language suited to school or professional writing rather than casual conversation. It avoids slang and contractions and uses complete sentences and precise academic vocabulary.

Rereading and improving a draft by changing ideas, organization, wording, and sentence structure. Revision is more than correcting spelling; it makes the writing clearer and better supported.

A short plan that lists main points and supporting details in order. It helps a writer organize ideas before drafting and check whether every paragraph supports the thesis.