VCE Modern Greek key terms

The skill of listening to spoken Greek, such as a dialogue, announcement or interview, and extracting the main idea, specific details and the speaker's attitude. Tested through questions answered after hearing a passage played usually twice.

The central point or overall message of a spoken or written text, stated in one sentence. Candidates must distinguish it from supporting examples and minor details that merely illustrate or decorate the main claim.

A precise fact in a text, such as a time, price, name, place or number, that a question asks you to locate. Answers must match the source exactly rather than being guessed from general knowledge.

The attitude or mood a speaker conveys through voice, stress and word choice, for example enthusiasm, doubt, irritation or irony. Recognising tone helps you answer questions about feelings and implied meaning rather than literal content alone.

The reason a speaker produces an utterance, such as to persuade, warn, apologise, invite or complain. Identifying purpose guides interpretation of a listening passage and supports accurate answers about intent.

Brief written records taken while listening or reading, using abbreviations, keywords and symbols. Good notes capture structure and key facts so questions can be answered without relying on memory of every word.

The ability to read a Greek text and make sense of its literal content, structure and implications. It covers locating information, inferring meaning from context and recognising how paragraphs are linked.

The function a written text performs, for example informing, persuading, entertaining, instructing or reviewing. Recognising purpose helps you predict content and choose the best answer in comprehension questions.

The intended readers of a text, such as teenagers, parents, tourists or professionals. Audience shapes vocabulary, register and tone, and questions often ask who the text is written for.

A judgement drawn from evidence in a text rather than stated directly. Inference questions require combining clues, such as a character's words and actions, to reach a reasonable conclusion the author implies.

The surrounding words, sentences or situation that clarify the meaning of an unfamiliar word or phrase. Using context is a core reading strategy when a text contains vocabulary you have not met before.

A meaning suggested indirectly rather than stated openly, often through irony, understatement or implication. Detecting implied meaning is essential for higher-mark questions about attitude and authorial intent.

The category a text belongs to, such as a letter, article, review, diary entry, advertisement or short story. Each genre has conventional features of layout, register and purpose that candidates should recognise and reproduce.

A small but relevant piece of information that supports a main idea or answers a specific question. Distinguishing relevant detail from irrelevant material is a frequent demand in reading tasks.

A short restatement of a text's main points in your own words, omitting examples and repetition. A good summary keeps the original order of ideas and stays within a set word limit.

A plan showing the structure of a text or the sequence of points in an essay. Outlining before writing helps organise arguments, avoid repetition and keep the response coherent under timed conditions.

The arrangement of a piece of writing into introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion, with each paragraph developing one idea. Clear structure, signposted by linking words, is rewarded in writing tasks.

A group of sentences developing a single topic, usually opened by a topic sentence and supported by explanation or example. Paragraphing makes long responses readable and demonstrates control of organisation.

Words and phrases such as επιπλέον, ωστόσο, επομένως and αφού that link ideas and show contrast, cause, result or sequence. They improve cohesion and signal the logic of an argument to the reader.

The quality of a text whose sentences and paragraphs connect smoothly through linking devices, pronouns and consistent terminology. Cohesion is assessed separately from grammatical accuracy in writing criteria.

The register of language chosen for a situation, ranging from formal written Greek to informal colloquial speech. Choosing the right level for the audience and purpose is a key criterion in writing and speaking.

Formal language used in letters to officials, reports, articles and presentations, marked by complete sentences, polite formulas and avoidance of slang. It contrasts with the casual style appropriate among friends.

Informal, everyday language used with friends and family, including contractions, slang and direct address. It suits personal messages and diary entries but is usually inappropriate in formal correspondence.

The opening address of a letter or speech, such as Αγαπητέ κύριε or Κυρίες και κύριοι. It establishes the relationship with the reader and must match the formality of the message.

The closing formula of a letter or email, such as Με εκτίμηση, Φιλικά or Με αγάπη. The choice signals the level of formality and should correspond to the opening greeting.

A reason offered to support a position, ideally backed by evidence or example. Strong responses present arguments in logical order and answer likely counter-arguments rather than merely listing opinions.

An opposing argument raised against your position, which a strong response acknowledges and then answers. Addressing counter-arguments shows balanced reasoning and is valued in persuasive writing and discussion.

A personal view or opinion on a topic, which must be stated clearly and supported with reasons. In oral and written tasks, candidates distinguish their own opinion from facts reported in source material.

An extended exchange of views on a topic, in which participants state opinions, respond to others and develop ideas over several turns. The oral examination includes discussion of a chosen topic and of texts studied.

The character or position a speaker adopts in a role-play, such as a customer, journalist or student. Maintaining the role consistently, including appropriate register, is assessed in oral tasks.

The ability to speak smoothly at a natural pace with few long pauses or hesitations. Fluency is assessed alongside accuracy, pronunciation and range of vocabulary in the oral examination.

The way words are pronounced, including stress placement, vowel sounds and intonation. Clear pronunciation, especially of stressed syllables, matters for communication in the oral examination.

The range of words and expressions a candidate can use appropriately. A varied vocabulary, including topic-specific terms and idiomatic phrases, raises the quality of both writing and speaking.

A fixed phrase or idiom whose meaning goes beyond the literal words, such as μου έφυγε το καφάσι. Using appropriate expressions naturally demonstrates advanced command of Modern Greek.

Combined sound and image material such as a news clip, advertisement, film excerpt or interview. Analysis requires describing what is seen and heard and interpreting how the two channels work together.

A visual element such as a photograph, drawing or on-screen graphic within a text or clip. Images carry meaning through composition, colour and facial expression and should be interpreted, not merely described.

The use of an object, colour or action to represent a broader idea, for example a flag standing for national identity. Identifying symbols helps explain deeper meanings in literary and audiovisual texts.

The broad subject or underlying concern of a text, such as migration, family or environmental responsibility. Stating the theme accurately is the starting point for analysis of texts and audiovisual material.

A deliberate method an author or director uses to create effect, such as humour, repetition, close-up shots or music. Naming techniques and explaining their effect strengthens analytical responses.