WACE Indonesian Background Language flashcards

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

Discourse marker 'namun'

Conjunction meaning 'however' or 'but', used to introduce contrast in formal Indonesian. In listening texts it often precedes the speaker's real opinion, so answers should follow it.

Time expression 'setengah empat'

Means half past three (3.30), not four thirty. Indonesian counts toward the next hour, so 'setengah empat' = 3.30 and 'setengah lima' = 4.30.

Distractor in listening

An option mentioned by a speaker and then withdrawn or corrected. The final stated position, signalled by phrases like 'sebenarnya bukan' or 'maksud saya', is the correct answer.

Formal versus informal address

Formal texts use 'Anda', 'hadirin', and titles such as Bapak or Ibu. Informal dialogue uses 'kamu', 'nggak', and 'gimana'. Answers should mirror the source register.

Note completion task

A listening question type where key words are missing from a table or set of notes. Answers must fit grammatically into the gap and be written in Indonesian.

Signposting in announcements

Sequencing words such as 'pertama', 'selanjutnya', 'selain itu', and 'akhirnya' that organise spoken information and mark where each new point begins.

Inferring missed details

When a detail is not heard, the surrounding context and the question stem are used to reconstruct a plausible Indonesian answer rather than leaving the item blank.

Gist before detail

A reading strategy of establishing the main idea from title, opening, and closing sentences before scanning for specific facts, dates, or names.

Affix 'ke-an'

A circumfix forming abstract nouns ('kebersihan' = cleanliness) or expressing adversity ('kehujanan' = caught in rain). Recognising it helps decode unfamiliar words.

Cohesive device 'oleh karena itu'

Means 'therefore' and signals a result or conclusion. Together with 'akibatnya' and 'dengan demikian', it marks cause–effect relationships in expository texts.

Paraphrase in questions

Exam questions restate text content in different words rather than quoting it. Matching is by meaning, so synonyms must be recognised rather than exact strings.

Text type: recount

A text retelling past events in chronological order, using time connectives and past-time adverbs such as 'kemarin' and 'setelah itu', since Indonesian has no tense.

Text type: procedure

A text explaining how to do something, structured as aim, materials, and numbered steps, using imperative verbs such as 'panaskan', 'aduk', and 'tuangkan'.

Persuasive text features

Persuasive Indonesian texts use 'seharusnya', 'hendaknya', 'menurut saya', and supporting evidence to argue a position, often closing with a recommendation or call to action.

False friend 'aktual'

In Indonesian 'aktual' means current or up to date, not 'actual'. Other false friends include 'buku' (book) versus English 'buku' and 'kantor' (office).

Scanning for evidence

Locating the specific sentence that supports an answer by searching for key nouns, numbers, or names, then quoting or paraphrasing it in the response.

Reduplication for plurality

Repeating a noun marks plural or variety: 'buku-buku' (books), 'anak-anak' (children). No separate plural marker is added when reduplication is used.

Function of 'yang'

A relativiser linking a noun to its modifier: 'orang yang datang' (the person who came), 'buku yang baru' (the new book). It cannot be omitted in these clauses.

Formal letter structure

Includes place and date, salutation ('Dengan hormat,'), opening paragraph, body paragraphs, closing ('Hormat saya,'), and signature, with formal vocabulary throughout.

Adjective position

Adjectives follow the noun they modify: 'rumah besar' (big house), 'guru baru' (new teacher). Placing the adjective first changes or breaks the meaning.

Negation placement

Negators 'tidak', 'bukan', 'belum', and 'jangan' precede the predicate: 'tidak hadir', 'bukan guru', 'belum selesai'. 'Bukan' negates nouns, 'tidak' negates verbs and adjectives.

Time marking without tense

Indonesian verbs do not inflect for tense. Time is shown by adverbs and connectives such as 'kemarin', 'sekarang', 'besok', 'sudah', 'sedang', and 'akan'.

Active 'meN-' prefix

Forms active transitive verbs from roots: 'menulis' (to write), 'membaca' (to read), 'mengambil' (to take). The prefix changes with the first sound of the root.

Passive 'di-' prefix

Forms passive verbs where the object becomes subject: 'Buku itu dibaca Sari' (That book was read by Sari). Used frequently in reports and news texts.

Colloquial forms to avoid

Informal shortenings such as 'nggak' (tidak), 'udah' (sudah), 'banget' (sangat), and 'gimana' (bagaimana) are inappropriate in formal writing tasks and reduce accuracy marks.

Report text structure

Begins with a general classification statement, followed by description paragraphs organised by aspect, using impersonal tone and few personal pronouns.

Turn-taking phrase

Expressions such as 'maaf, boleh saya menambahkan' or 'menurut saya' that allow a speaker to enter a discussion politely without interrupting abruptly.

Glottal final '-k'

In many Indonesian words final 'k' is a glottal stop, as in 'tidak' and 'baik'. Pronouncing it as a released English 'k' sounds non-native in oral assessment.

E pepet versus e taling

The letter 'e' has two values: /ə/ as in 'besar' and 'kecil', and /e/ as in 'sate' and 'merah'. Confusing them affects pronunciation accuracy scores.

Claim–reason–example

An answer structure giving a position, a justification, and a supporting illustration. It sustains fluency in unseen oral questions and prevents long pauses.

Degree of agreement

Opinion phrases ranked by strength: 'sangat setuju', 'setuju', 'cenderung setuju', 'kurang setuju', 'tidak setuju sama sekali'. Choosing deliberately shows lexical range.

Presentation signposting

Sequencing language for talks: 'pertama-tama', 'selanjutnya', 'selain itu', 'sebagai kesimpulan', and 'terima kasih atas perhatiannya', which structure the talk for listeners.