TASC Italian cheat sheet

Main idea = the claim the whole passage supports; details support it but cannot replace it.

Inference must be forced by the text: if two readings of the evidence are possible, the answer is too strong.

Tone words (e.g., "reluctantly," "fortunately") reveal author attitude more reliably than facts alone.

Sequence questions: anchor on dates, order words (first, then, finally), and cause-effect verbs.

Compare-and-contrast passages: the answer usually states a difference or a shared assumption, not one side's detail.

Vocabulary in context: substitute each option into the sentence and keep the one matching the surrounding logic.

"EXCEPT" and "NOT" questions: three options are supported by the passage; eliminate those, keep the leftover.

An author's purpose (inform, persuade, entertain, explain) is signaled by structure: thesis plus evidence = argument.

A complete sentence needs a subject, a finite verb, and no dependent clause standing alone (fragment).

Comma splice fix options: period, semicolon, comma + coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Nonessential information is set off by a matched pair of commas, dashes, or parentheses-never one of each.

Subject-verb agreement: the verb matches the head noun, ignoring prepositional phrases ("the box of tools is").

Pronoun case: subject pronouns (I, he, they) for subjects; object pronouns (me, him, them) after prepositions and verbs.

Apostrophes: possessive singular = 's; plural possessive = s'; "its" is possessive, "it's" = it is.

Parallel structure: items in a list or comparison must share grammatical form (all nouns, all gerunds, all infinitives).

Modifiers attach to the nearest logical noun; a dangling modifier lacks the noun it describes.

Percent change = (new − old) ÷ old × 100; a 20% increase then 20% decrease yields a net 4% decrease.

Slope = (y₂ − y₁) ÷ (x₂ − x₁); parallel lines share slope, perpendicular slopes multiply to −1.

Linear form y = mx + b: m is rate of change, b is starting value.

Area formulas: rectangle lw, triangle ½bh, circle πr², trapezoid ½(b₁ + b₂)h.

Pythagorean theorem a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse opposite the right angle.

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

Probability of an event = favorable outcomes ÷ total equally likely outcomes; independent events multiply.

Order of operations: parentheses, exponents, multiply/divide left to right, add/subtract left to right.

Cell theory: all living things are made of cells, cells arise from existing cells, and the cell is the basic unit of life.

Photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂; occurs in chloroplasts using chlorophyll.

Newton's second law: force = mass × acceleration (F = ma); weight = mass × gravity.

Speed = distance ÷ time; acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time.

Atomic number = protons; mass number = protons + neutrons; neutral atoms have equal protons and electrons.

States of matter: solid (fixed shape), liquid (fixed volume, flowing), gas (fills container); heating increases particle motion.

Food chain energy flows from producers to consumers; roughly 10% of energy transfers to the next trophic level.

Density = mass ÷ volume; an object denser than its fluid sinks, less dense floats.

Three branches: legislative makes laws, executive enforces laws, judicial interprets laws; checks and balances limit each.

Bill of Rights = first ten amendments; the First protects speech, press, assembly, petition, and religion.

Federalism divides power between national and state governments; the Tenth Amendment reserves unlisted powers to states.

Popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, and individual rights are core constitutional principles.

Causes of the Civil War include slavery's expansion, states' rights disputes, and economic differences between North and South.

Supply and demand: rising price generally lowers quantity demanded and raises quantity supplied.

Push factors drive migration away (famine, war); pull factors attract (jobs, freedom, land).

Absolute location uses coordinates (latitude, longitude); relative location describes position compared with other places.