Berlin Abitur English (3rd subject / GK) flashcards

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

Global reading

A first reading aimed at the overall message, text type and communicative purpose, ignoring unknown words. It answers what the text is about before any detail question is attempted.

Selective reading

Reading for specific information such as names, numbers or reasons. The reader scans for keywords and line references instead of processing every sentence in order.

Narrative point of view

The perspective from which a story is told: first person, third-person limited, or omniscient. It shapes what the reader can know and how close the reader feels to a character.

Rhetorical question

A question posed for effect rather than for an answer. It invites the reader to agree, creates emphasis, or opens an argument the author then develops.

Anaphora

Repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. It creates rhythm, emphasis and emotional intensification in speeches and persuasive texts.

Quote and analyse

A three-step method: cite the exact wording with a line reference, name the device or feature, then explain its effect on the reader or its function in the argument.

Cartoon analysis

A staged approach: describe visible elements, identify labels and captions, decode symbols and exaggerations, then connect the message to the topic of the task.

Listening for gist

A first listening focused on topic, speakers, situation and mood, without noting details. It prepares the ground for targeted second listening on specific items.

Distractor in listening

An incorrect option or detail spoken before the correct answer, often followed by a correction such as 'actually' or 'no, I meant'. It punishes answering too early.

Not-given item

A true/false/not-given option chosen when the recording says nothing about the statement. Being unlikely or unmentioned in the text is not the same as being false.

Note-taking grid

A table with pre-set categories filled during listening. Reading the categories first tells the listener which word class and which kind of information to expect.

Present perfect vs simple past

Present perfect links a past action to the present and forbids a finished time marker such as yesterday. Simple past reports a completed event at a defined past time.

Third conditional

Formed with had plus past participle in the if-clause and would have plus past participle in the main clause. It describes an unreal situation in the past and its imagined result.

Reported speech backshift

When the reporting verb is in the past, tenses move back one step: present to past, past to past perfect, will to would. Pronouns and time expressions shift as well.

Gerund after prepositions

After a preposition the verb takes the -ing form, as in 'look forward to meeting' or 'interested in learning'. The same applies after enjoy, avoid, suggest and mind.

Word formation suffix rules

The gap determines the word class: -ness, -ment, -tion form nouns; -ful, -less, -ive form adjectives; -ly forms adverbs. Spelling often changes, as in happy to happiness.

German-English false friend

A word that looks similar in both languages but differs in meaning, such as 'handy' for mobile phone or 'actual' for current. These cause errors in translation and free writing.

Topic sentence

The first sentence of an analytical paragraph, stating the claim the paragraph will prove. It gives the paragraph a single focus and signals its function to the reader.

Operator in a writing task

The instruction verb that sets the required depth: describe means reproduce, analyse means interpret with evidence, evaluate means weigh positions and reach a judgement.

Line of argument

The ordered sequence of claims and evidence that supports the thesis. A strong line moves from observation through analysis to a reasoned conclusion without repetition.

Letter to the editor

A formal-public text responding to an article or issue. It names the reference, states a clear position, supports it with two or three arguments, and closes with an appeal.

Register in formal writing

The level of formality chosen for the addressee. Formal writing avoids contractions, slang and personal chains, and prefers impersonal constructions such as 'it can be argued'.

Westminster model

The UK parliamentary system with an elected House of Commons, an appointed or hereditary House of Lords, and a Prime Minister drawn from the majority party.

Electoral College

The body that formally elects the US President. Each state has electors equal to its congressional representation, so the popular vote and the result can diverge.

Devolution in the UK

The transfer of powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd and the Northern Ireland Assembly. Health and education are largely devolved matters.

Melting pot vs salad bowl

Two models of immigrant integration. The melting pot assumes cultures blend into one; the salad bowl assumes groups keep distinct identities within one society.

Mediation purpose

The reason a target reader needs the information. It determines what is selected, reduced, explained or omitted, and which text format the output takes.

Paraphrase not copy

In mediation and summaries, source sentences are restructured in the target language. Only names, numbers and fixed institution names are transferred unchanged.

Idiom rendering

Translating the meaning of a fixed expression rather than its literal image, for example 'ins kalte Wasser springen' as 'to be thrown in at the deep end'.

Monologue frame

A fixed structure for the oral presentation: introduction with thesis, two or three signposted points with examples, and a conclusion with a personal judgement.

Interaction strategy

A spoken move that keeps a conversation going, such as asking for clarification, paraphrasing a missing word, or using a filler instead of falling silent.

Oral assessment criteria

The dimensions usually rated in the speaking exam: task fulfilment, fluency and coherence, vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, and pronunciation. Errors count mainly when they block understanding.