CAEL (Canadian English Proficiency Tests) key terms

A CAEL assignment in which you read or listen to source material and then speak or write about it, combining information from more than one input rather than giving only your own opinion.

A speaking or writing prompt that asks you to answer from your own knowledge and experience, with no reading or listening passage provided as input.

The instructions and question that define what a task requires you to do, including the topic, the purpose, and any limits on length or time.

How fully and relevantly your answer addresses every part of the prompt, including whether you cover all required points and stay on topic.

The main stance or claim you take on an issue and maintain consistently across a response, supported by reasons and examples rather than left implicit.

A single sentence, usually near the start of an essay, that states the main claim and signals how the rest of the response will support it.

The first sentence of a body paragraph, naming the single idea that paragraph develops and linking it back to the overall argument.

Specific evidence such as an example, statistic, or personal experience that makes a claim convincing instead of leaving it as a bare assertion.

The quality of an answer whose ideas are arranged in a logical order, so a reader can follow the reasoning from one point to the next without confusion.

The way sentences and paragraphs are tied together using reference words, repeated key terms, and linking devices so the text reads as one connected whole.

A word or phrase such as 'however', 'therefore', or 'in contrast' that signals the relationship between one idea and the next.

To restate information from a source in your own words and sentence structure while keeping the original meaning, so the source is used without being copied.

The reading passage, lecture, or conversation you must draw on when completing an integrated task, as distinct from your own background knowledge.

Presenting another person's words or ideas as your own, whether by copying text directly or by closely following a source without acknowledgement.

Explaining a point in more depth by adding reasons, consequences, or examples, so an idea is developed rather than merely stated and abandoned.

Describing a response that drifts away from what the prompt asked, often by answering a related but different question and losing relevance marks.

The overall main idea or general meaning of a passage or recording, understood without catching every individual word or detail.

The central point a speaker or writer is making, which the supporting details are there to explain, illustrate, or defend.

A reading or listening item that asks for a specific fact, figure, name, or example that was stated directly in the material.

A conclusion you draw from evidence in the text or recording that is not stated directly, based on clues the author or speaker provides.

Reading quickly through a passage to grasp its overall topic, structure, and main ideas before deciding which parts need closer attention.

Moving your eyes rapidly over a text looking for a specific piece of information, such as a date, name, or key term, without reading every word.

Reading with active judgement about an author's claims, evidence, assumptions, and purpose rather than simply accepting the surface meaning of the text.

The reason a writer produced a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or warn, which shapes the language and structure they choose.

The attitude a writer or speaker conveys toward the subject, for example neutral, sceptical, enthusiastic, or critical, shown through word choice.

Recording key points, structure, and examples in abbreviated form while reading or listening, so you can answer questions or complete a task afterwards.

A planned approach to a recording, such as predicting content from the question, listening for signpost words, or monitoring for missed information.

Spoken cues such as 'firstly', 'on the other hand', or 'to sum up' that tell listeners how the talk is organised and what is coming next.

An answer option or piece of information that sounds plausible because it is mentioned in the material, but does not correctly answer the question asked.

The ability to speak at a steady pace with few long pauses, keeping going even when a word is missing instead of stopping completely.

A pause, filler sound, or false start in speech; brief and natural in small amounts, but disruptive when it repeatedly breaks the flow of meaning.

How clearly and accurately you produce individual sounds, word stress, and sentence stress so a listener can understand you without effort.

The rise and fall of the voice across a sentence, used to signal questions, emphasis, lists, and the speaker's attitude.

The extra force given to a particular syllable in a word or to a particular word in a sentence to make meaning clear.

The speed at which you speak; too fast makes you hard to follow, while too slow can suggest uncertainty or waste limited response time.

The convention of letting one speaker finish before another begins, including how you signal that you want to speak or invite a reply.

The exchange between speakers in a conversation task, where you respond to what was said rather than delivering a prepared speech.

A request or question that asks a speaker to repeat, explain, or rephrase something so you can respond accurately instead of guessing.