Foreign Language English - Advanced flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Main idea

The central claim or overall point of a passage, distinct from supporting details or examples. It is usually stated in the introduction or conclusion and governs the whole text.

Inference

A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text but not stated explicitly. A valid inference must be necessarily true given the passage, not merely plausible.

Scope shift

An answer option that is too broad or too narrow relative to the passage's specific claim. It may be true in general but does not match the text.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject, revealed through evaluative word choice. Common tones include neutral, critical, enthusiastic, and ironic.

Pronoun reference

The noun phrase to which a pronoun or demonstrative refers. Resolve it to the nearest preceding phrase that fits grammatically and logically.

EXCEPT question

A question asking which option is NOT supported by the passage. Verify each option and eliminate the three that are explicitly stated or implied.

Signpost words

Discourse markers such as however, therefore, and in fact that signal the speaker's main point or a change in direction. They often precede the answer in listening tasks.

Distractor

An option that is mentioned in the audio but does not answer the question asked. It may be true yet irrelevant to the specific item.

Negation and contrast

Structures such as not only, rather than, and instead of that reverse the expected relationship between ideas. Missing them leads to choosing the opposite meaning.

Lecture structure

The organizational pattern of a talk, typically introduction, examples, and conclusion. Tracking it helps locate answers quickly in longer listening passages.

Self-correction

A speaker's restatement of a number, date, or name. The final version is usually the intended one, so note corrections rather than the first mention.

Subject-verb agreement

The rule that a verb must match its true subject in number. Remove prepositional phrases and parenthetical insertions to identify the subject.

Past perfect

The tense formed with had + past participle, used for an action completed before another past action or time. It establishes sequence in past narratives.

Third conditional

A structure using if + had + past participle and would have + past participle to express an unreal past situation and its imagined result.

Collocation

A natural word partnership such as make a decision or take responsibility. In vocabulary items, the correct option is the one that forms a conventional pairing.

Non-defining relative clause

A clause giving extra information, set off by commas, and introduced by which rather than that. It can be removed without changing the main meaning.

Inversion

The reversal of subject and auxiliary after a negative adverbial, as in Not only did she arrive late. It adds emphasis and is common in formal English.

Separable phrasal verb

A verb-plus-particle combination whose object may come between the verb and particle, as in turn it off. Pronoun objects must take this position.

Thesis statement

A clear, arguable central claim placed in the introduction and echoed in the conclusion. It governs the organization of the entire essay.

Paragraph unity

The principle that each body paragraph develops one controlling idea, supported by evidence or examples. Unrelated sentences should be removed or moved.

Cohesion

The use of referencing, substitution, and linking adverbials to connect ideas across sentences. It reduces repetition and guides the reader through the argument.

Register

The level of formality appropriate to the task. Formal essays avoid contractions, slang, and first-person anecdote unless the prompt invites personal experience.

Task achievement

The extent to which a response addresses every part of the prompt and meets the required word count. Underlength or off-topic writing is penalized.

Sentence variety

The deliberate mixing of short and long sentences and of different structures. It prevents monotony and demonstrates grammatical range.

Proofreading

The final review for agreement, tense consistency, article use, and punctuation. These surface errors are frequent sources of lost marks.

Fluency

The ability to maintain continuous and coherent speech. It is judged on communication and continuity, not on speed or the absence of pauses.

Strategic filler

A phrase such as well or let me think used to maintain the floor while planning. It should be varied and not overused.

Extending an answer

Adding reasons, examples, or contrasts to a response. A one-sentence answer rarely demonstrates sufficient range in speaking tasks.

Word stress

The emphasis placed on content words while function words are weakened. It produces natural rhythm and helps convey meaning in speech.

Paraphrase

Expressing an idea in different words when a precise term is unavailable. It maintains communication without switching to another language.

Interactive task

A speaking activity requiring initiation, response, and clarification. It rewards turn-taking and appropriate requests for repetition.

Preparation notes

Keywords jotted during preparation time rather than full sentences. They help cover all bullet points without reading aloud.