Sachsen-Anhalt Realschulabschluss English key terms

The single most important point a text or recording makes, which the other details support. In reading and listening tasks you often have to choose the sentence that states it best.

The general sense of what a speaker or writer is getting at, even when you do not understand every word. Grasping the gist lets you answer global questions before dealing with details.

A task that asks for one specific piece of information, such as a time, a price or a name. The answer is usually stated directly but may be paraphrased in the question.

Reading a text quickly to catch its overall meaning or structure without stopping at unknown words. It is the usual first step before answering questions about a longer article.

Running your eyes over a text looking only for particular information, such as a date or a number, while ignoring everything else. Useful for timetables, adverts and notices.

A word in a question that carries the essential information you must locate in the text or audio. Underlining keywords before you read or listen helps you focus your attention.

Saying the same content with different words. Exam questions rarely repeat the wording of the text, so recognising paraphrases is a core reading and listening skill.

A word with a similar meaning to another, such as 'cheap' and 'inexpensive'. Matching synonyms between question and text is often the key to the correct answer.

A word with the opposite meaning to another, such as 'increase' and 'decrease'. Noticing opposites helps you reject wrong options in multiple-choice tasks.

A wrong answer option that sounds plausible because it uses words from the text. Good candidates check whether the whole statement is true, not just whether a word appears.

A task type in which you decide whether a statement agrees with the text, contradicts it, or is simply not mentioned. 'Not given' means the text contains no information either way.

A conclusion you draw from clues in a text rather than from a direct statement. If the text says someone grabbed an umbrella, you can infer it was raining.

The attitude a speaker or writer expresses through word choice, such as ironic, neutral, worried or enthusiastic. Tone questions ask how the person feels, not what they say.

The level of formality of language, ranging from casual chat to formal writing. Choosing the right register matters in letters, emails and the oral exam.

A linking word such as 'however', 'therefore' or 'firstly' that shows how ideas connect. Listening for signposts helps you follow the structure of a talk or interview.

A word or phrase that joins clauses or sentences and shows their relationship, for example 'although', 'because' or 'in addition'. Correct use is tested in grammar and improves writing.

A word that links words, phrases or clauses, such as 'and', 'but', 'while' or 'unless'. Knowing which conjunction fits the logic of a sentence is a common grammar item.

A sentence structure expressing a condition, usually with 'if'. The first conditional describes likely results, the second hypothetical ones, and the third unreal past situations.

The verb form that shows when an action happens, such as present simple, past simple or present perfect. Consistency of tense is checked in gap-fill and writing tasks.

A structure in which the action matters more than the doer, formed with 'be' plus past participle, as in 'The bridge was built in 1990'. Often used in reports and news texts.

Telling what someone said without quoting them directly, which usually shifts the tense back, as in 'She said she was tired'. A frequent grammar point in mediation and writing tasks.

Passing on information from one language or situation to another so that a person who does not understand the original can act on it. In this exam it usually means summarising a German text in English.

A short account of the main points of a text in your own words, without personal opinion or examples. It normally uses present tense and linking words.

A letter or email written in a polite, neutral style with a clear structure: salutation, reason for writing, details, request and closing. Contractions and slang are avoided.

A formal text stating a problem with a product or service, giving evidence, and asking for a specific solution such as a refund or replacement. Tone stays polite but firm.

A formal text written to apply for a job, placement or course, highlighting relevant experience and motivation. It usually refers to an enclosed CV and ends with a request for an interview.

A curriculum vitae: a structured list of a person's education, work experience and skills. In British English it is the standard term for what Americans call a resume.

A short text in which you state a view on a topic and support it with reasons and examples. It needs an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion, plus linking words.

A reason given to support a position, usually followed by evidence or an example. Strong exam answers give at least two developed arguments rather than a list of unsupported claims.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main point. It guides the reader and keeps a written answer organised.

A group of sentences about one idea, separated from the next group by a line break. Clear paragraphing is part of the mark scheme for writing tasks.

The way a text or talk is organised, for example introduction, main points and conclusion. Recognising structure helps both in listening and in planning your own writing.

An oral task in which you act out a situation with a partner or the examiner, for example asking for information or making a complaint. You must react to what is said, not recite a script.

Fixed phrases used to perform a communicative purpose, such as asking for directions, making suggestions or apologising. Learning whole phrases is faster than learning single words.

Polite, informal conversation about neutral topics such as weather, travel or hobbies. It opens oral exams and shows you can keep a conversation going naturally.

The ability to speak at a reasonable pace with few long pauses, even if some mistakes occur. Examiners rate fluency separately from accuracy in the oral exam.

How correct your grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation are. In speaking, a balance of accuracy and fluency is expected rather than perfection at the cost of communication.

The way words are spoken, including sounds, stress and intonation. Clear pronunciation matters more than an accent, but word stress errors can make you hard to understand.

The syllable in a word that is pronounced most strongly, as in 'IMportant' or 'deCIDE'. Putting stress on the wrong syllable often causes misunderstandings in the oral exam.