TASC French key terms

A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than stated outright. Readers combine clues in a passage with their own knowledge to figure out what the author implies but does not say directly.

The central point a passage communicates about its topic. It is usually broader than any single detail and can often be stated in one sentence that the supporting details explain or prove.

A fact, example, statistic, or reason that explains, illustrates, or strengthens the main idea. Details answer questions like who, what, when, where, why, and how within a text.

Specific words, sentences, or data taken directly from a passage to justify an answer or claim. Strong responses quote or closely paraphrase the text instead of relying on personal opinion.

The reason a writer created a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Recognizing purpose helps a reader judge which details matter and how to interpret tone.

The attitude a writer expresses toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and sentence structure. Tone may be serious, humorous, critical, sympathetic, or neutral.

The feelings or associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. For example, 'thrifty' sounds approving while 'stingy' sounds critical, even though both describe careful spending.

Information in surrounding words, sentences, or paragraphs that helps a reader determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Clues include definitions, examples, contrasts, and cause-effect relationships.

The perspective from which a text is told, such as first person, third-person limited, or third-person omniscient. It shapes what information the reader can access and how events are judged.

A sentence that states the central argument of an essay and previews how the essay will support it. It usually appears near the beginning and controls the organization of the whole piece.

The sentence that introduces the main point of a paragraph. It connects the paragraph's details to the larger thesis and helps readers follow the structure of the writing.

A word, phrase, or sentence that links ideas and shows how they relate, such as 'however,' 'therefore,' or 'in addition.' Effective transitions guide readers smoothly from one point to the next.

The quality of writing that flows logically and stays focused, so each sentence clearly connects to the ones around it. Coherent writing uses consistent organization, clear pronouns, and appropriate transitions.

An incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought, such as 'Running down the street.' It must be joined to another clause or expanded into a full sentence.

Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction. It can be fixed with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

An error in which a comma alone joins two independent clauses, as in 'I was tired, I went to bed.' Correct it with a period, semicolon, or conjunction after the comma.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb, even when words separate them.

The requirement that a pronoun match its antecedent in number and gender, and that the reference be clear. Ambiguous or mismatched pronouns confuse readers about who or what is meant.

Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparison, such as 'hiking, swimming, and biking.' Parallelism makes writing clearer, more balanced, and easier to read.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often written as a fraction or with a colon, such as 3:4. Ratios describe relative size and can be scaled up or down proportionally.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, such as 3/4 = 6/8. Proportions are solved by cross-multiplying to find an unknown value in a proportional relationship.

A ratio that compares a number to 100, meaning 'per hundred.' Percents are used to express parts of a whole, discounts, interest, and rates of change in many real-world problems.

An equation whose graph is a straight line and whose variable is raised only to the first power, such as y = 2x + 5. Its slope and intercept describe the pattern.

The measure of steepness of a line, calculated as the change in y divided by the change in x between two points. Slope describes the rate of change in a linear relationship.

A letter or symbol that stands for an unknown or changing quantity in an expression or equation. Solving problems often means finding the value of a variable that makes an equation true.

The agreed sequence for evaluating expressions: parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division from left to right, then addition and subtraction from left to right. It ensures everyone gets the same result.

The average of a data set, found by adding all values and dividing by the number of values. The mean is affected by extreme values, unlike the median.

The middle value of a data set arranged in order, or the average of the two middle values when the count is even. It is less affected by outliers than the mean.

A number between 0 and 1 expressing how likely an event is, calculated as favorable outcomes divided by total possible outcomes in simple cases. It underlies predictions and risk estimates.

A testable prediction or proposed explanation that can be supported or rejected by observation and experiment. A good hypothesis is specific and measurable rather than a general guess.

A systematic process of asking questions, forming hypotheses, gathering data, and drawing conclusions. It relies on repeatable procedures and evidence rather than opinion or authority alone.

The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment being tested, used as a baseline for comparison. Comparing it with the experimental group reveals the treatment's effect.

The factor that a researcher deliberately changes in an experiment. Its effect is observed by measuring the dependent variable while other conditions are held constant.

The factor that is measured or observed in an experiment and that may change in response to the independent variable. It supplies the data used to evaluate the hypothesis.

The process by which green plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make glucose and release oxygen. It converts light energy into chemical energy stored in food.

The process by which cells break down glucose to release usable energy, using oxygen and producing carbon dioxide and water. It is essentially the reverse of photosynthesis.

A community of living organisms interacting with one another and with their nonliving environment, such as a pond or forest. Energy flows and matter cycles through its populations.

An original document or artifact created during the period being studied, such as a diary, letter, photograph, or law. It offers firsthand evidence rather than later interpretation.

A work that interprets or analyzes primary sources, such as a textbook, biography, or encyclopedia article. It summarizes and explains events after they occurred.

The arrangement of events in the order they occurred. Understanding sequence helps explain cause and effect and shows how one historical development led to another.

A relationship in which one event or condition produces another. Historians trace these links to explain why changes happened and what consequences followed from decisions or movements.

A written framework that establishes a government's structure, powers, and limits, and often protects individual rights. The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

A system in which power is divided between a central government and regional governments, such as states. Each level has its own responsibilities and some shared authority.

A formal change or addition to a constitution or law. In the United States, amendments require approval by Congress and the states, and the Bill of Rights consists of the first ten.