Pancyprian Spanish key terms

The written instruction that tells a candidate what a task requires, such as how many words to write, which option to choose, or which text to read. Reading it carefully prevents losing marks through misreading.

A short instruction or prompt, often at the head of an exercise, stating exactly what the student must do. In Cypriot exam papers it frequently appears alongside the number of words or the time allowed.

A single activity within an exam paper, defined by its text, its instruction, and its expected answer format. Tasks are usually numbered and each carries its own mark allocation.

The central point a text is making, which a good reader can state in one sentence. Exam questions often ask for it directly, distinguishing it from supporting details and examples.

A supporting detail, example, or illustration that backs up the main point of a text. Recognising these helps a candidate separate essential meaning from decoration when answering comprehension questions.

A conclusion a reader draws from clues in the text rather than from a stated fact. Exam items that ask what the writer implies or how someone probably felt require this skill.

To work out meaning that is not written explicitly, using context, logic, and vocabulary knowledge. Candidates use it for unknown words and for questions about the writer's attitude.

The words and sentences surrounding a particular word or phrase, which help clarify its meaning. When an unknown item appears, the surrounding text often supplies enough information to guess correctly.

A question format in which a statement must be judged correct or incorrect according to a text. Candidates should locate the exact line supporting their choice, since plausible but unsupported statements are common distractors.

A question format offering several answers from which one correct option must be selected. Distractors are designed to look attractive, so candidates should eliminate options contradicted by the text.

An incorrect answer option written to seem plausible, often by repeating vocabulary from the text. Recognising them prevents choosing an option merely because its words look familiar.

To support an answer with evidence, usually by quoting or paraphrasing the relevant part of a text. Many reading tasks award marks only when the justification is present and accurate.

A brief restatement of a text's essential content in the reader's own words. A good one keeps the main ideas, drops examples, and stays within the word limit set by the task.

A word in a question or text that carries the essential information needed to locate an answer. Underlining such words before reading helps a candidate scan efficiently.

To read a text quickly looking only for specific information, such as a date, a name, or a number. It differs from reading every word and saves time in timed comprehension papers.

Reading a whole text quickly to grasp its general topic and purpose before answering questions. It is the opposite of searching for single details and usually comes first in a reading strategy.

A listening task in which candidates hear a recording, often twice, and answer questions about it. Marks depend on catching specific details, attitudes, or the general message rather than every word.

The recorded material played during a listening test, such as a conversation, announcement, or interview. Candidates usually hear it a fixed number of times and may take notes while it plays.

The skill of understanding spoken Spanish, including different accents, speeds, and registers. It is tested through recordings followed by questions on gist, detail, and speaker intention.

A written version of what is said in a recording, sometimes provided after the listening task. Reading it afterwards helps candidates identify which words or sounds caused difficulty.

The pronunciation pattern of a region or social group, covering vowel quality, rhythm, and intonation. Listening practice should include several varieties of Spanish, since exam recordings are not limited to one country.

The rise and fall of the voice across an utterance, which can signal a question, surprise, irony, or the speaker's mood. Misreading it can lead to choosing the wrong answer about attitude.

To write brief notes while listening, capturing key words, numbers, or names rather than full sentences. Good notes help answer questions after the recording has finished and cannot be replayed.

A word or phrase such as sin embargo, por lo tanto, or además that links ideas and shows their logical relationship. Recognising connectors helps listeners and readers follow an argument.

An expression that organises speech or writing, such as en primer lugar, por cierto, or en resumen. These signals guide the reader or listener through the structure of what is being said.

The way sentences and paragraphs are tied together so a text reads as a single unit, achieved through connectors, pronouns, and repetition. Weak cohesion makes writing harder to follow and costs marks.

The logical consistency of a text, so that each part relates clearly to the topic and to the other parts. A coherent text has a clear structure and does not contradict itself.

A Spanish verb mood used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and hypothetical situations, often after que. It appears constantly in grammar sections and is expected in formal writing tasks.

The Spanish verb mood used for statements of fact, certainty, and description. Choosing between it and the subjunctive is a frequent exam point, especially after expressions of opinion or doubt.

Agreement between grammatical elements, such as adjective with noun in gender and number, or verb with subject in person and number. Errors here are among the most visible in written production.

A verb construction made of an auxiliary plus an infinitive, gerund, or participle, such as ir a hacer or estar haciendo. These express nuances like future plans, obligation, or ongoing action.

The Spanish past tense used for completed actions seen as a whole, often with a specific time reference. Contrasting it with the imperfect is a standard exam item in narrating past events.

The Spanish past tense used for background description, habitual actions, and ongoing situations in the past. Choosing it instead of the indefinite tense changes the focus of a narrative.

The set of linking expressions used to structure an argument in writing or speech, such as por un lado, en cambio, and en conclusión. Using them well raises the score for organisation and range.

A letter written to an institution or someone unknown, following conventions such as a greeting, a clear purpose, and a polite closing. Register, formulaic phrases, and layout all carry marks.

An email, a common writing task format requiring a subject line, an appropriate greeting, a clear body, and a closing. The expected register depends on whether the recipient is formal or informal.

The level of formality in language, ranging from colloquial to formal, chosen to suit the situation and the person addressed. Mixing levels inappropriately is penalised in production tasks.

A conventional polite phrase used in letters, emails, or conversation, such as Estimado señor or Un saludo cordial. Using them correctly signals awareness of social conventions in Spanish.

The two singular address forms in Spanish, the first informal and the second formal or respectful. Choosing correctly depends on the relationship, age, and setting, and is a recurrent exam point.

A short spoken presentation on a given topic, usually prepared in advance and delivered to an examiner or group. Structure, fluency, pronunciation, and interaction with the listener are assessed.

The ability to speak at a natural pace with few long pauses, linking ideas smoothly. It is assessed separately from accuracy, so a candidate can score well despite minor grammar slips.

A structured discussion in which participants defend opposing views on a topic. In oral exams it tests turn-taking, responding to another speaker, and supporting opinions with reasons.

A personal view on a topic, usually introduced with phrases such as creo que or en mi opinión. Expressing and defending it clearly is central to the oral interaction and writing tasks.

A reason or piece of evidence offered to support a position in speech or writing. Developed arguments, rather than bare assertions, distinguish a higher-level response.

Expressing the same meaning in different words, either to explain something or to avoid copying a source. It is a key skill in summarising and in reporting what a speaker said.

A short direct quotation from a text or speaker, marked as such and used as evidence. In comprehension tasks a brief quotation often serves as the required justification.

The grammatical category of nouns and adjectives as masculine or feminine, which controls article and adjective forms. It is a basic accuracy point tested throughout the grammar section.

The Spanish verb form ending in -ando or -iendo, used for actions in progress or as an adverbial modifier. It appears in progressive constructions and must be used with care to avoid anglicisms.

A filler word or phrase such as bueno, pues, or o sea, used to keep speech flowing. Occasional use sounds natural, but overuse lowers the score for fluency and range.

The attitude or mood conveyed by a text or speaker, for example ironic, neutral, or critical. Questions about tone require attention to word choice and not only to literal content.

The way a piece of writing is organised into introduction, body, and conclusion, or into paragraphs with clear functions. A visible structure helps the reader and earns marks for organisation.

A word with a meaning close to another, such as comenzar and empezar. Recognising them allows a candidate to match paraphrased questions to the wording of a text.

A word expressing the opposite of another, such as subir and bajar. Vocabulary items often test opposites, and recognising them helps in both reading and gap-fill exercises.

A habitual word pairing in Spanish, such as tomar una decisión or hacer la cama, which cannot be freely changed. Learning them as chunks improves accuracy in gap-fill and writing tasks.

A fixed phrase whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as estar en las nubes. Such expressions appear in reading texts and are tested as vocabulary items.