TASC EAL/D Level 3 flashcards

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

Main idea

The central claim a whole passage supports. It is broader than any single detail and is often stated in the opening or closing sentence of the text.

Text structure: cause and effect

An organization that explains why something happened and what resulted. Signal words include because, therefore, as a result, and consequently.

Author's purpose

The reason a writer produces a text: to inform, to persuade, to entertain, or to explain a process. Word choice and tone reveal which purpose dominates.

Valid inference

A conclusion drawn from a stated detail combined with general knowledge. It must be supported by the text, not by personal opinion alone.

Loaded language

Word choice carrying strong positive or negative emotion, used to sway readers. It signals bias rather than neutral reporting of facts.

Climax

The turning point of a story where the central conflict reaches its peak and the outcome begins to be decided. It follows the rising action.

Theme

A general statement about life or human nature implied by an entire literary work. It differs from a summary of plot events or a single topic word.

Indirect characterization

Revealing a character's traits through speech, actions, appearance, thoughts, and other characters' reactions rather than through direct narrator statement.

Third-person limited point of view

A narrator outside the story who reports events using he, she, or they but reveals the inner thoughts of only one character.

Foreshadowing

Hints planted early in a narrative that suggest a later event. It builds tension and makes the outcome feel prepared rather than arbitrary.

Context clue: antonym

A nearby word or phrase with the opposite meaning that reveals an unfamiliar word's sense, often signaled by but, unlike, or in contrast.

Denotation versus connotation

Denotation is a word's dictionary meaning; connotation is the positive, negative, or neutral feeling the word carries for readers.

Suffix -tion

A suffix that turns a verb into a noun naming an action or result, as in inform becoming information or create becoming creation.

Homophone

One of two or more words that sound alike but differ in spelling and meaning, such as their, there, and they're.

Academic connective: however

A transition word signaling contrast between ideas. It marks that the following statement limits or contradicts the preceding one.

Source-based thesis

A single sentence stating the writer's position on the prompt and naming the reasons developed in the body, grounded in the provided texts.

Evidence plus commentary

A quoted or paraphrased detail from a source followed by explanation of how it supports the claim. Evidence without commentary is summary.

Concession and refutation

Acknowledging a valid point from the opposing view, then answering it with stronger evidence. This strengthens an argument by showing fair consideration.

Formal register

Writing that avoids contractions, slang, and second-person address, using precise vocabulary and complete sentences suited to academic audiences.

Speaker's purpose

The goal behind a spoken message, such as informing, persuading, requesting, or clarifying. Identifying it first guides which details to retain.

Discourse markers in speech

Words and phrases such as first, however, and in conclusion that signal how spoken ideas are organized and connected for the listener.

Indirect request

A polite question that states an action to be performed, such as Would you mind closing the door, where the real request follows the question frame.

Comma splice

Two independent clauses joined only by a comma. Repair it with a period, a semicolon, or a coordinating conjunction.

Conjunctive adverb punctuation

When however, therefore, or moreover joins two independent clauses, a semicolon precedes it and a comma follows it.

Dangling modifier

An introductory phrase whose implied subject does not match the subject of the main clause, producing an illogical or unclear sentence.

Parallel structure

Matching grammatical forms within a list or comparison, such as reading, writing, and speaking rather than reading, writing, and to speak.

Subject-verb agreement rule

The verb matches the subject in number. Prepositional phrases between them are ignored, and indefinite pronouns like each and everyone are singular.

Unit rate

A rate expressed with a denominator of one, such as cost per single item or distance per one hour, found by dividing the quantities.

Independent variable

The factor a scientist deliberately changes or manipulates in an experiment, whose effect is observed through the measured dependent variable.

Percent change formula

Subtract the original amount from the new amount, divide by the original amount, then multiply by 100 to express the change as a percent.

Primary versus secondary source

A primary source is created during the event by a participant; a secondary source interprets that evidence later, such as a textbook or history.

Opportunity cost

The value of the best alternative given up when a choice is made, a core concept in economics describing trade-offs under scarcity.