Foreign Language English - Advanced cheat sheet

Skim the passage first for gist and structure; then read the questions and locate the relevant lines by key words.

Distinguish main idea from supporting detail: the main idea is the author's overall claim, not an example or statistic.

Inference questions require evidence in the text; the correct answer is necessarily true given the passage, not merely plausible.

For vocabulary-in-context, substitute each option into the sentence and check whether the surrounding logic and tone still hold.

Attitude/tone questions hinge on evaluative adjectives and adverbs; neutral, critical, and enthusiastic tones are the common choices.

Watch for scope shifts: an option may be true in general but too broad or too narrow for the passage's specific claim.

For 'EXCEPT' or 'NOT' questions, verify each option against the passage and eliminate the three that are explicitly supported.

Reference questions (pronouns such as 'this' or 'they') resolve to the nearest preceding noun phrase that fits grammatically and logically.

Preview the question stems and options before the audio starts; this primes you to listen for specific information.

Signpost words (however, therefore, in fact, on the other hand) mark the speaker's main point and often precede the answer.

Numbers, dates, and names are frequent distractors: the speaker often corrects or restates them, so note the final version.

For inference items, combine the literal statement with the speaker's tone and context; the answer is implied, not stated verbatim.

In longer lectures, track discourse structure (introduction, examples, conclusion) to locate answers quickly.

When two options seem true, choose the one that answers the question asked, not merely one that was mentioned.

Note negation and contrast: 'not only', 'rather than', and 'instead of' reverse the expected relationship.

Subject-verb agreement: locate the true subject by removing prepositional phrases and parenthetical insertions.

Verb tense sequencing: use past perfect for an action completed before another past action; use present perfect for past actions with present relevance.

Conditionals: third conditional (if + had + past participle, would have + past participle) expresses unreal past situations.

Collocation is decisive in vocabulary items: choose the word that forms a natural partnership (e.g., 'make a decision', 'take responsibility').

Distinguish near-synonyms by register and grammatical pattern (e.g., 'suggest doing' vs. 'recommend that').

Relative clauses: 'that' is preferred for defining clauses; 'which' for non-defining clauses after a comma.

Inversion after negative adverbials: 'Not only did she arrive late, but she also forgot the files.'

Phrasal verbs are tested for meaning and separability: pronoun objects must go between verb and particle (e.g., 'turn it off').

Plan before drafting: allocate roughly 10% of time to planning, 70% to writing, and 20% to revising and proofreading.

Thesis statement: place a clear, arguable central claim in the introduction and echo it in the conclusion.

Paragraph unity: each body paragraph should develop one controlling idea, supported by evidence or examples.

Cohesion devices: use referencing (this, such), substitution, and linking adverbials (however, consequently) rather than repeating key nouns.

Register: formal essays avoid contractions, slang, and first-person anecdote unless the prompt explicitly invites personal experience.

Sentence variety: combine short and long sentences; avoid chains of simple sentences and overuse of 'very' and 'really'.

Proofread for agreement, tense consistency, article use, and punctuation, which are frequent sources of lost marks.

For task achievement, address every part of the prompt and meet the required word count; underlength responses are penalized.

Fluency is judged on continuity and coherence, not speed; pauses for thought are acceptable if they do not disrupt communication.

Use fillers strategically ('well', 'let me think') rather than silence; avoid overusing one filler.

Extend answers with reasons, examples, and contrasts; a one-sentence answer rarely demonstrates range.

Pronunciation: stress content words and weaken function words to produce natural rhythm; intonation signals meaning.

For part 2-type tasks, use the preparation time to note keywords, not full sentences, and cover all bullet points.

Paraphrase when you lack a word ('the thing you use to...') rather than switching to your first language.

Interactive tasks reward initiating, responding, and asking for clarification appropriately.