Estonian Basic-School Russian as a Foreign Language Exam key terms

The exam section where you listen to recorded speech in Russian and answer questions about what was said. You hear each recording a set number of times, so read the tasks before playback begins.

The exam section where you read short Russian texts such as notices, letters and articles, then answer questions or match information. Skimming for the main idea and scanning for details are the two key strategies.

The exam section where you produce written Russian, usually a short message, note or letter of a set length. Marks are given for task fulfilment, range of vocabulary and grammar, and correct linking of sentences.

The oral exam section, usually conducted as an interview or recorded monologue and dialogue with an examiner. You answer personal questions, describe a picture or situation, and express and justify an opinion.

A section of a listening or reading text that carries one main idea. Questions often ask which chapter or part contains a specific piece of information, so notice where each part begins.

A word you write down while listening or reading to capture the essential information. Keywords let you answer questions later without needing the full sentence, which is useful when a recording is played only once.

The title of a text or recording, which usually signals the topic and helps you predict the content. In reading tasks you may be asked to choose the best title for a paragraph or passage.

The surrounding words and situation that help you work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Using context is a core reading skill tested in tasks where unknown vocabulary must be understood from the sentence.

The meaning a word or phrase carries in a particular sentence. Exam tasks may ask you to match a word with its meaning or to choose the option closest in meaning to the original.

A word with a meaning close to another word. Exam tasks frequently test synonym recognition, because the question wording rarely repeats the exact words used in the text or recording.

A word with the opposite meaning to another word, such as 'suur' and 'väike'. Recognising opposites helps in matching and multiple-choice tasks where the correct option negates something said in the text.

A written message addressed to a person, formal or informal. In the writing section you often must write a short letter that includes a greeting, the required content points, a closing formula and your name.

A short written communication, such as a text message or note left for someone. Writing tasks often ask for a brief message containing specific information, so cover every required point in a few clear sentences.

A spoken text produced by one person alone, such as a short talk, description or opinion statement. In the speaking exam you may have to speak for one or two minutes without interruption on a given topic.

A spoken exchange between two or more people. In the oral exam you may role-play a situation with the examiner, asking and answering questions and reacting appropriately to what your partner says.

The way words are pronounced. Clear pronunciation that can be understood matters in the speaking exam, especially for sounds and stress patterns that differ from Estonian.

The emphasis placed on one syllable of a Russian word. Russian stress is unpredictable and can change meaning, so learning the stress of new words together with their spelling is essential.

A letter of the alphabet. Russian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, so recognising and writing all its letters, including those that look like Latin letters but sound different, is a basic requirement.

The full set of letters used to write a language. The Russian Cyrillic alphabet has 33 letters, and knowing their order helps with alphabetical lists, dictionaries and spelling tasks.

The stock of words a learner knows and can use. Exam tasks test both recognition vocabulary in listening and reading and active vocabulary in writing and speaking, so practise words in context rather than as isolated lists.

The rules that govern how words change form and combine into sentences. In Russian this includes case endings, verb conjugation, gender and aspect, and errors here affect the accuracy mark in writing and speaking.

A grammatical form of a noun, pronoun or adjective that shows its role in the sentence. Russian has six cases, and choosing the right ending is one of the most frequently tested grammar points.

Changing a verb's form to show person, number and tense. Russian verbs also have aspect, so you must choose between imperfective and perfective forms depending on whether the action is ongoing or completed.

A fixed phrase or expression whose meaning is not obvious from its individual words. Recognising common expressions improves comprehension in listening and reading and makes writing and speech sound more natural.

A sentence that asks for information. Exam tasks often require you to form questions correctly, including the right question word and word order, both in the oral interview and in written messages.

A reply to a question, spoken or written. In listening and reading tasks you select or write the answer that matches the text, and in speaking you must answer the examiner's questions directly and fully.

A person's view or judgement about something. Speaking and writing tasks often ask you to state your opinion on a topic and give at least one reason to support it.

To give reasons for a statement or opinion. Marks in speaking and writing reward justified opinions, so link your view to a cause with words such as 'sest' or 'seetõttu'.

To say or write what someone or something is like, covering appearance, place or situation. Picture-description tasks in the speaking exam expect several connected sentences, not a list of single words.

The subject a text, recording or task is about. Identifying the topic quickly helps you predict vocabulary and decide which details are relevant when answering questions.

A single task or item in the exam paper, with its own instructions. Read each task's instructions carefully, because they state how many answers are required and whether you must write in Russian or tick options.

The instructions at the start of a task or paper explaining what to do. They specify the number of words, the time allowed and the language of the answer, and ignoring them can cost marks even when your Russian is correct.

A reference book or list giving the meanings of words. In most exams a dictionary is not allowed, so build the habit of guessing meaning from context before reaching for one.

A gap in a text where a word or phrase has been removed. Gap-fill tasks test grammar and vocabulary together, because the missing item must fit both the meaning and the grammatical form required.

A distinct passage or paragraph of a text. Reading tasks often number paragraphs and ask you to match each one with a heading or a question, so locate the relevant lines before answering.

A figure used for counting, prices, times and dates. Listening tasks often require writing numbers correctly, so practise distinguishing similar-sounding numbers and recording them accurately.

The time of day expressed in hours and minutes. Russian states time with specific prepositions and ordinal forms, and listening and reading tasks often ask when something happens.

Formal in style, used in official letters, notices and announcements. Recognising formal register helps you understand public texts and choose the right greeting and closing in a written task.

Informal in style, used between friends and family in speech and messages. Exam tasks may ask you to write to a friend, in which case informal greetings and direct address are appropriate.