TASC EAL/D Level 3 cheat sheet

Main idea = the claim the whole passage supports; supporting details answer who, what, when, where, why, how.

Text structures and their signal words: cause-effect (because, therefore, as a result), compare-contrast (however, similarly, unlike), sequence (first, next, finally), problem-solution (issue, remedy, resolved).

Topic sentence usually opens a paragraph; the concluding sentence restates rather than introduces new evidence.

Author's purpose maps to three verbs: inform (facts, neutral tone), persuade (evaluative adjectives, call to action), entertain or explain a process (narrative or steps).

Bias indicators: loaded adjectives, one-sided sources, omitted counterarguments, appeals to emotion instead of data.

An inference must be supported by at least one stated detail plus general knowledge; if only general knowledge supports it, it is not an inference from the text.

Chronological and procedural texts are read in order; comparison texts require tracking two subjects across the same categories.

Graphic aids (tables, headings, captions) carry information that may not be repeated in the body text, so they count as evidence.

Plot arc: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution; the climax is the turning point of the central conflict.

Conflict types: person vs. person, person vs. self, person vs. nature, person vs. society.

Theme is a general statement about life implied by the whole work; it is not the topic word alone and not a one-sentence summary of events.

Characterization: direct (narrator states traits) vs. indirect (traits shown through speech, action, appearance, thoughts, others' reactions).

Point of view: first person (I), third-person limited (one character's inner life), third-person omniscient (multiple minds), second person (you).

Figurative language: simile (like/as), metaphor (direct comparison), personification (human traits to nonhuman), hyperbole (exaggeration), symbolism (object carries abstract meaning).

Tone is the narrator's attitude conveyed by word choice; mood is the feeling created in the reader.

Foreshadowing plants hints before an event; flashback interrupts chronology to supply earlier events.

Context clues: definition (often set off by commas or dashes), synonym, antonym (but, unlike), example (such as, including), inference from surrounding logic.

Prefix meanings: un-/in-/dis- (not), re- (again), pre- (before), post- (after), sub- (under), trans- (across), inter- (between), anti- (against).

Suffixes set part of speech: -tion/-ment/-ness form nouns, -ize/-ify form verbs, -ous/-ful/-ive form adjectives, -ly forms adverbs.

Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the positive, negative, or neutral association a word carries.

Homophones differ in spelling and meaning but sound alike (their/there/they're; affect/effect; principal/principle).

Academic connectives signal logic: however (contrast), moreover (addition), consequently (result), nevertheless (concession).

A word's meaning shifts with part of speech, so identify the grammatical role in the sentence before choosing a definition.

Idioms are nonliteral and must be interpreted as a whole phrase, not word by word.

A source-based response needs a thesis that answers the prompt, body paragraphs each tied to one reason, and evidence cited from the provided texts.

Quote or paraphrase accurately, then add commentary explaining how the evidence supports the claim; evidence without explanation is summary, not argument.

Counterargument structure: state the opposing view fairly, concede what is valid, then refute with stronger evidence.

Cohesion devices: pronoun reference, repeated key terms, transition words, and parallel structure across paragraphs.

Formal register avoids contractions, slang, second-person address, and unsupported absolutes such as always or everyone.

An introduction names the texts and issue; a conclusion restates the thesis in new wording without introducing new evidence.

Attribution language: according to, the author argues, the data show, which distinguishes the source's claim from the writer's own position.

Editing pass order: content and organization first, then sentence clarity, then grammar and spelling.

Identify the speaker's purpose first (to inform, persuade, request, or clarify), then collect supporting details.

Signal phrases cue structure in speech: first, on the other hand, in conclusion, for example, the main point is.

Distinguish a fact stated by the speaker from the speaker's opinion, marked by evaluative words such as should, best, or unfortunately.

Note-taking shorthand: abbreviations, arrows for cause and effect, and symbols for increase or decrease preserve content while listening continues.

Intonation carries meaning: rising pitch marks a question or uncertainty; stress on a word signals contrast or emphasis.

Turn-taking cues include pauses, direct questions, and discourse markers such as so, well, and anyway.

A polite indirect request (Would you mind...? Could we possibly...?) states the action after the question frame.

Numbers, dates, and names are the most commonly misheard details, so repeat them back to confirm accuracy.

A complete sentence needs a subject, a finite verb, and a complete thought; a subordinate clause alone is a fragment.

Comma splice = two independent clauses joined only by a comma; fix with a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction.

FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) join independent clauses and take a comma before them.

A conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover) between two clauses needs a semicolon before and a comma after.

Subject-verb agreement: ignore prepositional phrases between subject and verb; indefinite pronouns such as each, everyone, and nobody are singular.

Pronoun case: use subject forms (I, he, she, they) for subjects and object forms (me, him, her, them) after prepositions and verbs.

Dangling modifiers occur when the introductory phrase's implied subject does not match the main clause subject.

Parallel structure requires matching grammatical forms in a list or comparison (reading, writing, and speaking, not reading, writing, and to speak).

Operation words: sum and total (add), difference (subtract), product (multiply), quotient (divide), per (divide by), of in percent problems (multiply).

Ratio language: 'ratio of a to b' is a:b; 'rate' pairs unlike units; 'unit rate' has a denominator of 1.

Percent change = (new - old) / old x 100; percent increase and decrease use the original amount as the base.

Mean = sum divided by count; median = middle value of ordered data; mode = most frequent value.

Scientific method sequence: question, hypothesis, procedure, data, analysis, conclusion; a hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable.

Independent variable is manipulated, dependent variable is measured, and controlled variables are held constant.

Cause-effect connectors in science writing (because, results in, leads to, due to) mark mechanism explanations, not sequence.

Data description uses comparison language: greater than, approximately, proportional to, inversely related, and significant difference.

Primary sources are created during the event by participants (letters, laws, photographs); secondary sources interpret them afterward (textbooks, histories).

Chronology terms: decade (10 years), century (100 years), era, BCE/CE, and circa (approximately).

Cause and consequence: immediate causes precede an event directly; underlying causes are long-term conditions such as economic or social pressure.

Political vocabulary: sovereignty (supreme authority), federalism (shared national and regional power), amendment (formal change to a constitution).

Economic terms: scarcity (limited resources vs. unlimited wants), supply and demand, opportunity cost (value of the forgone alternative).

Point of view in a historical document depends on the author's role, audience, and date, so sourcing precedes interpretation.

Map and chart language: legend, scale, latitude and longitude, absolute vs. relative location, and trend over time.

Generalization vs. stereotype: a valid generalization is supported by evidence and allows exceptions; a stereotype ignores evidence.