Gaokao English flashcards

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

Paraphrase distractor rule

In listening items, the correct option usually restates the audio in different words, while an option that repeats exact words is often a trap.

Final corrected number

When a speaker mentions a price, time, or quantity and then corrects it with but, actually, or instead, answer with the final corrected figure.

Contrast signal words

But, however, actually, instead, and rather than often introduce the speaker's real meaning and mark the point where an earlier option becomes wrong.

Audio order principle

Listening questions follow the order of the recording, so the information for item n normally appears before the information for item n+1.

Weak form decoding

Contractions and reduced forms such as gonna, wanna, kinda, and 'd better must be expanded to their full grammatical forms before choosing an answer.

Main idea placement

For main-idea questions, check the first and last paragraphs and repeated key nouns; the correct option must cover the whole passage, not one detail.

Detail paraphrase rule

Locate the keyword in the passage, read the sentence before and after, and choose the option that paraphrases the text rather than copying its words.

Inference support test

An inference answer must be supported by textual evidence; options containing all, never, only, or must are usually too absolute to be correct.

Vocabulary substitution test

For a vocabulary-in-context item, substitute each option into the original sentence and check whether both meaning and grammar remain coherent.

Distractor types reading

Common wrong options are true but irrelevant, half-true, reversed cause and effect, or drawn from outside the passage's scope.

Blank position function

A blank at the start of a paragraph often needs a topic sentence or transition; a blank at the end often needs a summary or result sentence.

Pronoun antecedent check

If an option begins with it, they, this, these, or such, confirm that a matching noun phrase appears in the preceding sentence.

Connector logic match

Match the option's connector to the relation between sentences: however for contrast, therefore for result, for example for exemplification, besides for addition.

Extra option profile

The two unused options in five-of-seven matching usually introduce unsupported new information or contain a pronoun with no possible antecedent.

Collocation first rule

In cloze items, test the whole collocation, such as verb plus noun or adjective plus noun, rather than translating the blank word alone.

Tense marker override

Time expressions such as now, since 2020, last year, or by 2030 determine tense and aspect before the sentence's general meaning is considered.

Transitivity trap

Pairs like rise/raise and affect/effect differ in transitivity or word class; the blank's grammatical slot decides which form is possible.

Coherent answer set

After filling all cloze blanks, reread the whole passage; the answers must form a coherent text, not merely fit individual sentences.

Given-word form change

When a base word is supplied in a grammar blank, change its form by tense, voice, non-finite ending, plural, comparative, or derivation.

No-word function blank

A blank without a supplied word usually needs one function word: an article, preposition, conjunction, relative pronoun, or auxiliary verb.

Gerund after preposition

After a preposition or verbs such as enjoy, avoid, mind, and suggest, use the -ing form rather than the bare infinitive.

Relative pronoun choice

Use who for people, which for things, whose for possession, where for place, and when for time in relative clauses.

True subject agreement

For subject-verb agreement, identify the true subject and ignore prepositional phrases or parenthetical insertions between the subject and verb.

Applied writing length

The New Gaokao applied composition is usually about 80 words and 15 points; aim for 80 to 100 words and cover every prompt point.

Three-part letter frame

A practical composition normally states its purpose, supplies the required details, and closes with an expectation, thanks, or request.

Register audience match

Use formal language for teachers or officials and friendly language for classmates or pen friends; register must match the stated audience.

Prompt point coverage

Each bullet in the writing prompt is a scored content point; omitting one lowers the content score even when the grammar is accurate.

Opening sentence anchor

Each given opening sentence fixes tense, person, and point of view; the following sentences must continue in the same narrative voice.

Two-paragraph functions

In continuation writing, the first paragraph usually develops action and complication, while the second resolves the conflict and reflects on it.

Show through action

Replace abstract emotion labels with concrete actions, sensory details, and short dialogue so the character's feelings are shown.

No new major character

A continuation should not introduce a new major character or wholly new setting in the final paragraph; it must resolve the existing story.

Narrative tense rule

Use past tenses for the main narration and past perfect only for events that occurred before the story's current moment.