CASAS cheat sheet

CASAS listening tests play each prompt a limited number of times; the answer must be chosen from what was heard, not from prior knowledge of the topic.

Question types in listening: main idea, detail, inference, and 'what will the speaker do next'; each has a distinct cue word (mainly, according to, probably, next).

Politeness formulas change register: 'Could you...?' and 'Would you mind...?' are requests; 'You should...' is advice; 'You must...' is obligation.

Clarification strategies that appear as correct answers: 'Could you repeat that?', 'Did you say fifteen or fifty?', 'Can you spell that for me?'

Telephone listening items often hinge on a single number, name, or time; write digits as heard (fifteen = 15, fifty = 50) rather than trusting memory.

Intonation rules: rising pitch signals a yes/no question or uncertainty; falling pitch signals a statement or wh-question.

Reduced speech in fast answers: 'gonna' = going to, 'wanna' = want to, 'kinda' = kind of; test items may quote these forms verbatim.

Sequence markers (first, then, after that, finally) determine the order of steps in a multi-step spoken instruction.

Public library cards are typically free to local residents and give access to computers, printing, English classes, and test-prep materials.

Dial 211 in the U.S. and Canada for referrals to food, housing, utility, and health assistance; the call is free and confidential.

Dial 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies; dial 311 for non-emergency city services such as potholes, trash pickup, or code complaints.

Food assistance: SNAP eligibility depends on household size, income, and assets; WIC serves pregnant women, infants, and children under 5.

Adult education and English (ESL) classes are usually offered through community colleges, school district adult schools, and libraries at low or no cost.

Volunteer and job-training resources include workforce centers (American Job Centers), which post openings and offer free résumé help.

Transit reduced-fare programs often require proof of age, disability, or income; applications go through the transit agency, not the DMV.

Community health clinics (FQHCs) charge on a sliding fee scale based on income and accept patients without insurance.

Unit price = total price ÷ number of units; the lower unit price is the better buy when quality is equal.

A discount of p% reduces price to price × (1 − p/100); successive discounts of 20% then 10% equal 28% off, not 30%.

Sales tax is added at checkout: final cost = price × (1 + tax rate). A 7% rate on $40 gives $42.80.

Simple interest: I = P × r × t (principal × annual rate × years). Monthly payment on a loan ignores compounding unless stated.

APR includes fees and is higher than the nominal interest rate; compare loans by APR, not by the advertised rate alone.

A budget identity: income = fixed expenses + variable expenses + savings; a negative remainder means expenses exceed income.

Return policies commonly require a receipt within 14–30 days; 'final sale' and opened electronics are frequent exceptions.

Warranties: full warranty covers repair or replacement at no cost; limited warranty restricts coverage; implied warranty exists by law regardless of paperwork.

Prescription label reading order: patient name, drug name and strength, directions (dose and frequency), warnings, refill information.

'Take with food' means during or immediately after a meal; 'on an empty stomach' means 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

OTC dosing: never exceed the maximum daily dose on the label; duplicate ingredients (acetaminophen) across cold products cause overdose.

Vital signs reference ranges for adults: temperature about 98.6°F (37°C), pulse 60–100 bpm, resting respiration 12–20 breaths per minute.

Emergency warning signs: chest pain, sudden weakness or facial droop, difficulty speaking, severe bleeding, trouble breathing - call emergency services.

Appointment language: 'follow-up' is a later visit, 'referral' is a transfer to a specialist, 'co-pay' is the fixed amount paid at the visit.

Insurance terms: premium is the monthly cost, deductible is paid before coverage begins, co-insurance is a percentage share after the deductible.

Preventive care such as vaccines and screenings is often covered at no cost under insurance; check the plan summary for the list.

Job application sequence: read the posting, match skills to requirements, submit application and résumé, then prepare for the interview.

Résumé sections in order: contact information, summary or objective, work experience (most recent first), education, skills.

Cover letters use three parts: the position applied for, evidence of fit, and a request for an interview.

Interview answer structure (STAR): Situation, Task, Action, Result - each answer should end with a concrete outcome.

Pay stub items: gross pay, deductions (taxes, Social Security, Medicare, benefits), net pay; net = gross − deductions.

Overtime pay is generally 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under U.S. federal law.

Workplace safety: employees have the right to report hazards and injuries without retaliation; report injuries the same day.

Employment vocabulary: 'full-time' usually 35–40 hours per week, 'part-time' fewer, 'shift' is a scheduled work period, 'probation' is a trial period.

Three branches: legislative makes laws, executive enforces laws, judicial interprets laws; each checks the others.

U.S. citizenship paths: birth, naturalization (typically 5 years as a permanent resident, or 3 if married to a citizen), or derivation through parents.

Voting requires registration, usually a deadline before Election Day; some states allow same-day registration and mail-in ballots.

Bill of Rights core protections: speech, press, religion, assembly (1st); no self-incrimination (5th); speedy trial and counsel (6th); no cruel punishment (8th).

Jury duty: jurors are selected from registered voters and license lists; failure to appear can bring a fine or contempt charge.

Traffic stop rules: a driver must show license, registration, and proof of insurance; refusing a chemical test can trigger license suspension.

Tax forms: W-4 sets withholding, W-2 reports yearly wages, 1040 is the annual return; April 15 is the usual federal filing deadline.

Small claims court handles disputes under a state-set dollar limit, uses simplified procedures, and generally does not allow lawyers.

Percent of a number: part = whole × rate/100. 15% of 80 = 12.

Percent change = (new − old) ÷ old × 100; a drop from 50 to 40 is a 20% decrease.

Averages: mean = sum ÷ count; median is the middle value when ordered; mode is the most frequent value.

Fractions to decimals to percents: 1/4 = 0.25 = 25%; 3/5 = 0.6 = 60%; multiply by 100 to move from decimal to percent.

Unit conversion: 1 foot = 12 inches, 1 yard = 3 feet, 1 mile = 5,280 feet, 1 gallon = 4 quarts, 1 pound = 16 ounces.

Metric prefixes: kilo = 1,000, centi = 0.01, milli = 0.001; 2.5 kg = 2,500 g.

Time arithmetic: 1 hour = 60 minutes; to find elapsed time, subtract start from end and borrow 60 minutes when needed.

Rounding: look at the digit to the right of the target place; 5 or more rounds up, 4 or less stays the same.

Spaced practice (short sessions over several days) produces more durable recall than one long session of equal total time.

Active recall - self-testing without notes - is more effective than rereading or highlighting the same passage.

A study plan states a specific goal, a time block, and a measurable check; 'read chapter 3 and answer 5 questions by Thursday' meets this.

Metacognition check: after answering, ask whether the reasoning can be explained without the text; if not, the item is not yet learned.

Note-taking formats: outline for hierarchical material, Cornell (cue column plus summary) for lecture review, concept map for relationships.

Error logs record the question type, the mistake, and the rule that fixes it; reviewing the log targets weak areas.

Test-taking rules: answer easy items first, mark and return to hard ones, and watch for absolute words (always, never) that often signal a wrong choice.

Transfer: practice applying a skill in a new context (a new form, a new scenario) rather than only in the format first seen.

Housing costs should be compared on total monthly cost: rent plus utilities, parking, laundry, and fees, not rent alone.

A lease is binding for its term; breaking it early usually costs the remaining rent or a stated fee, and the deposit may be withheld.

Security deposits are commonly one month's rent and must be returned minus itemized deductions, often within 14–30 days after move-out.

Tenant rights typically include repairs, heat and hot water, and notice before entry; landlords must give written notice to evict.

Renter's insurance covers personal property and liability, not the building structure; it is separate from the landlord's policy.

Utility setup order when moving: confirm service start date, provide ID and deposit, record the meter reading, and keep the account number.

Reading a lease: check rent due date, late fee, grace period, pet policy, sublet rules, and renewal terms before signing.

Personal documents to keep accessible: photo ID, Social Security card, birth certificate, insurance cards, lease, and emergency contacts.