Ellinomatheia B1 key terms

The main idea or central point of a text or recording. In listening and reading tasks you often have to choose which statement best expresses it, so train yourself to summarise each passage in one sentence.

The reason a writer or speaker produced a text, for example to inform, to persuade, to invite or to complain. Questions often ask you to identify it, so look for the overall intention rather than single words.

A small specific piece of information inside a text, such as a time, a price or a name. Many exam items test whether you can locate such details quickly without reading every word.

Reading quickly through a text looking only for particular information, such as a date or a number, instead of reading it fully. It saves time in tasks where the questions come before the passage.

A conclusion you draw from clues in a text even though it is not stated directly. Exam items often ask what the writer implies, so connect separate statements and check which reading is best supported.

The tone or register of a text, for example formal, friendly, ironic or neutral. Recognising it helps you judge who the text is addressed to and whether the writer approves or disapproves of something.

Formal style, typical of official letters, announcements and news reports, with full forms and polite formulas. Contrast it with everyday conversational language when deciding where a text would appear.

Informal style, typical of messages between friends, with short forms, everyday vocabulary and direct address. Spotting it helps you match a text to the right situation or reader.

A short advertisement or notice, for example offering a flat, a job or an item for sale. These texts are dense with abbreviations and numbers, so practise extracting conditions, prices and contact details.

A word with a similar meaning to another, such as ωραίος and όμορφος. Exam questions often rephrase the text with synonyms, so build word families instead of learning single words in isolation.

A word with the opposite meaning to another, such as ακριβός and φθηνός. Recognising opposites helps you eliminate wrong options in multiple-choice items and understand contrast inside a text.

Expressing the same meaning with different words. In reading and listening tasks the correct option usually paraphrases the text rather than repeating it, so compare meanings, not identical wording.

A linking word such as αλλά, όμως or ενώ that signals contrast between two ideas. Noticing it prevents you from misreading which side of an argument a statement belongs to.

A linking word such as γιατί, επειδή or αφού that introduces a reason. These words help you follow the logic of a text and answer questions about why something happened.

The subjunctive form of the verb, used after να, for example να πάω or να γράψεις. It appears constantly in wishes, requests and purpose clauses, so control of its endings is essential at this level.

The construction of the particle να followed by a subjunctive verb, used for wishes, requests, purpose and after many conjunctions. Learn which verbs and expressions require να rather than a plain tense.

The invariable verb form used to build compound tenses, for example γράψει in έχει γράψει or θα γράψει. Greek has no infinitive like English 'to write', so this form carries that grammatical load.

The future tense, formed with θα plus the subjunctive, for example θα διαβάσω or θα φύγουμε. Use it for plans, predictions and promises, and watch for the difference between simple and continuous future forms.

The simple past tense, used for completed actions at a specific time, for example έγραψα or πήγαμε. Distinguish it from the imperfect when narrating events in writing or retelling what you heard.

The imperfect tense, used for ongoing, repeated or background actions in the past, for example έγραφα or πηγαίναμε. Choosing between it and the simple past changes the meaning of a narrative.

The order in which events happen in a narrative, signalled by tenses and time expressions such as πρώτα, μετά and τελικά. Following it correctly is essential when answering questions about a story.

The imperative mood, used for commands, instructions and advice, for example γράψε, διαβάστε or να προσέχεις. It appears in recipes, signs and messages, so recognise both singular and plural forms.

An instruction telling someone what to do, common in notices, manuals and exam rubrics. Read it carefully before answering, because it specifies the format, length and content expected of you.

The wording of a task or question, including what you must do and how long your answer should be. Misreading it is a common cause of lost marks, so underline the key verb before starting.

A word in a question or text that carries the essential information, such as a name, a number or a negative. Identifying it quickly helps you locate the relevant part of a passage or recording.

Short notes you write while listening or reading, recording only key words, names and numbers. They support your answers in listening tasks and help you plan a written text before drafting.

A brief plan of a written text, listing the points you will make in order before you write. It keeps your production organised and helps you cover every element the task requires.

A group of sentences developing one idea, starting on a new line. Clear paragraphing with a topic sentence and supporting details makes written production easier for the examiner to follow.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so a text reads as a whole, achieved with connectors, pronouns and consistent reference. It is one of the criteria used to assess written and oral production.

An email or electronic message. Exam tasks often ask you to write one to a friend or an office, so practise greetings, opening lines, the body and a suitable closing formula.

A letter, either personal or formal. Learn the standard openings and closings for each type, since using the wrong register is penalised even when the grammar is correct.

A request for something, such as information, help or permission. Written tasks frequently ask you to make one politely, so learn phrases like θα ήθελα να σας ζητήσω and Παρακαλώ να μου πείτε.

An invitation, either written or spoken, giving the event, place, time and any practical details. Producing one tests whether you can combine information clearly and add a friendly closing.

An opinion. Tasks often ask you to express and justify one, so prepare phrases such as κατά τη γνώμη μου, νομίζω ότι and από τη μια πλευρά to structure an argument.

A reason or point offered to support an opinion. In oral and written production you are expected to give at least one, so link it to your view with expressions like γιατί or επειδή.

A conversation between two or more people. Oral interaction tasks are built around one, so practise taking turns, reacting to your partner and asking follow-up questions naturally.

The part you play in a speaking task, for example a customer complaining or a student asking for information. Reading the role card carefully tells you what to achieve and what details to mention.

Correcting yourself or being corrected during speech. Brief self-repair is normal and accepted, so if you notice a mistake, correct it calmly and continue rather than stopping.

Fluency, the ability to speak with reasonable speed and without long pauses. It is assessed separately from accuracy, so keep talking around a gap instead of falling silent to search for a word.