Estonian Basic-School English Exam key terms

The most important point that a whole spoken or written text is about, which a listener or reader must identify rather than a small supporting detail.

A test item that asks for one specific piece of information stated in a text, such as a time, a name, a price, or a reason.

A conclusion a reader draws from clues in a text that are not stated directly, for example how a character feels or what will probably happen next.

Reading quickly through a text with your eyes moving to find one particular item, such as a date or a phone number, without reading every word.

Reading a text very fast to catch its general meaning or layout before deciding which parts deserve slower, closer reading.

The sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that announces what the paragraph is mainly about and guides the reader.

A word or phrase around an unknown word that helps you guess its meaning, such as a definition, an example, or an opposite idea.

To express the same meaning in different words, often shorter or simpler; exam questions frequently restate a sentence from the text this way.

A reading task type where you decide whether a statement agrees with the text, contradicts it, or is simply not mentioned there.

A task where one word or short phrase is missing from a sentence or text and you must supply the correct item from grammar or meaning.

The grammatical shape a word takes, such as noun, verb, adjective, or adverb, chosen to fit its role in a sentence.

A pair or group of words that native speakers naturally use together, such as 'make a decision' or 'heavy rain', rather than a grammatically possible but unnatural combination.

A verb combined with a particle such as up, off, or out that together carry a meaning different from the verb alone, for example 'give up'.

The verb form that shows when an action happens, such as present, past, or future, and whether it is finished or continuing.

A verb whose past simple and past participle forms do not follow the regular -ed pattern, such as go–went–gone or take–took–taken.

A short word such as in, on, at, by, or with that links a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence and often shows place, time, or direction.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number, so a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

A word that has nearly the same meaning as another word, useful when an answer option uses different wording from the original text.

A word with the opposite meaning of another word, such as 'hot' and 'cold', often tested in vocabulary items.

A linking word such as however, because, although, or therefore that shows how two ideas relate and helps you follow the logic of a text.

The important word in a question or statement that you listen or look for in the text to locate the relevant information quickly.

An answer option or piece of text that seems correct because it repeats words from the recording but does not actually answer the question.

Writing short words, numbers, or symbols while listening so you can remember key facts and answer questions afterwards.

The general meaning or overall message of a recording, which you may understand even when some individual words are unclear.

How the person talking feels about the subject, shown by tone, stress, and word choice, for example pleased, doubtful, or annoyed.

A spoken phrase such as 'firstly', 'on the other hand', or 'to sum up' that signals what the speaker will do next in a talk.

The subject a piece of writing or a talk is about, usually named in the title or opening sentence and kept in focus throughout.

A group of sentences about one idea, separated from other groups by a space or indentation, which helps a reader follow the structure.

The quality of a text whose ideas are arranged in a clear, logical order so the reader can follow it easily from start to finish.

The level of formality in language, from casual spoken wording to formal written wording, chosen to suit the reader and situation.

Reading your own finished text carefully to find and correct mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and word choice before handing it in.

A first version of a piece of writing, written to get ideas down, which you then improve through editing and rewriting.

The opening words used when you start speaking to someone, such as 'Hello' or 'Good morning', which set the tone of a conversation.

The pattern in a conversation where speakers take turns, listening while the other person speaks and then responding without interrupting.

A question you ask after someone's answer to get more information or to keep a conversation going, showing that you are listening.

The instruction or situation given in a speaking task that tells you what to talk about, who you are speaking to, and what to include.

The way words are spoken, including sounds, stress, and rhythm, which listeners need to be clear enough to understand easily.

The ability to speak at a steady, natural pace with few long pauses, even if some small mistakes appear along the way.