BRIGHT Test flashcards

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

Main idea question

A comprehension question asking for the central point or purpose of a passage; the correct answer summarizes the whole text rather than a single supporting detail.

Supporting detail

A specific fact, example, or statistic that explains or proves the main idea; detail questions ask you to locate such information in the text.

Inference

A conclusion drawn from evidence in the passage but not stated directly; inference answers must be logically supported by the text and not rely on outside knowledge.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice and phrasing; tone can be critical, approving, neutral, humorous, or ironic.

Paraphrase

A restatement of a sentence or idea using different words while keeping the same meaning; paraphrase questions test whether you recognize equivalent expressions.

Antecedent

The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to; in reference questions, the antecedent is usually the nearest preceding noun that agrees in number and sense.

Signal words

Words or phrases such as 'because,' 'therefore,' 'however,' and 'for example' that show logical relationships like cause-effect, contrast, or illustration in a passage.

Distractor

An incorrect answer choice designed to look plausible; common distractors include true but irrelevant details, reversed relationships, and words that sound similar to the text.

Listening for gist

Understanding the overall meaning or main point of an audio passage without focusing on every detail; gist questions ask what the talk is mainly about.

Note-taking symbols

Abbreviations and marks (e.g., '→' for leads to, '=' for equals, 'w/' for with) used to record key information quickly while listening to a lecture or conversation.

Chronological order

The arrangement of events in the order they happened; comprehension questions may ask about sequence, signaled by words like 'first,' 'then,' 'after,' and 'finally.'

Fact vs. opinion

A fact is a statement that can be verified; an opinion expresses a belief or judgment. Some questions ask you to distinguish between them in a passage.

Pronoun reference

The relationship between a pronoun and its antecedent; resolving reference is necessary to understand who or what is being discussed in a sentence.

Context clue

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

Speaker's purpose

The reason a speaker gives a talk or makes a remark, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain; purpose questions ask why the speaker says something.

Transition words

Words like 'however,' 'moreover,' and 'in conclusion' that connect ideas and signal relationships between sentences or paragraphs in written and spoken texts.

Subject-verb agreement

The grammatical rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person; singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.

Collective noun

A noun that names a group of people or things, such as 'team' or 'family'; it takes a singular verb when the group acts as one unit.

Relative clause

A clause that modifies a noun and begins with a relative pronoun (who, which, that, whose) or relative adverb (where, when); it provides essential or extra information about the noun.

Conditional sentence

A sentence expressing a condition and its result, typically using 'if'; the four types (zero, first, second, third) use different tense combinations to show real or unreal situations.

Parallel structure

The use of the same grammatical form for items in a list or for elements joined by coordinating conjunctions; it creates balance and clarity in sentences.

Comparative adjective

An adjective form used to compare two things, made by adding '-er' to short adjectives or using 'more' before longer adjectives (e.g., 'taller,' 'more interesting').

Superlative adjective

An adjective form used to compare three or more things, made by adding '-est' to short adjectives or using 'most' before longer adjectives (e.g., 'tallest,' 'most interesting').

Definite article

The word 'the,' used before a noun to refer to a specific person or thing that is already known or has been mentioned before.

Indefinite article

The words 'a' or 'an,' used before a singular countable noun to refer to one nonspecific item or to introduce something for the first time.

Prepositional phrase

A phrase beginning with a preposition and ending with a noun or pronoun (e.g., 'in the box'); it can modify a noun or verb but does not change subject-verb agreement.

Gerund

A verb form ending in '-ing' that functions as a noun (e.g., 'Swimming is fun'); gerunds can be subjects, objects, or objects of prepositions.

Infinitive

The base form of a verb preceded by 'to' (e.g., 'to run'); infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence.

Active voice

A sentence construction in which the subject performs the action of the verb (e.g., 'The chef cooked the meal'); it is generally clearer and more direct than passive voice.

Passive voice

A sentence construction in which the subject receives the action of the verb, formed with a form of 'be' plus the past participle (e.g., 'The meal was cooked by the chef').

Modal verb

A helping verb such as can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, or would that expresses ability, possibility, permission, or obligation; it is followed by the base form of a verb.

Adverb clause

A dependent clause that functions as an adverb, telling when, where, why, how, or under what condition (e.g., 'When the rain stopped, we left'); it is introduced by a subordinating conjunction.