Foreign Language English - Advanced key terms

A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements. In reading and listening, it involves understanding what is implied but not directly said.

Something suggested indirectly by a text or utterance, not stated openly. Recognizing implications requires connecting clues and background knowledge to grasp the intended meaning.

The central point or most important message of a passage. It is often stated in a topic sentence or must be inferred from the overall content and structure.

A fact, example, or reason that explains, illustrates, or proves the main idea. Identifying details helps distinguish key information from minor points in a text.

The writer's or speaker's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and style. It may be formal, informal, ironic, critical, sympathetic, and so on.

Reading quickly to get the general idea or gist of a text without focusing on every word. It is useful for previewing or deciding whether a text is relevant.

Looking through a text rapidly to find specific information such as names, dates, or numbers. The eyes move quickly over the text without reading it in detail.

The way sentences and paragraphs are connected through linking words, pronouns, and repeated ideas. It makes a text flow smoothly and helps readers follow the argument.

The logical and consistent organization of ideas in a text. A coherent text is easy to understand because its parts are arranged in a clear, meaningful order.

The use of words like pronouns or adverbs to point back or forward to other words in a text. Understanding reference is essential for tracking who or what is being discussed.

The use of a word or phrase that refers back to an earlier word or phrase, often a pronoun. For example, in 'Anna arrived and she was tired', 'she' refers anaphorically to 'Anna'.

The general meaning or main point of a spoken or written text. Listening or reading for gist means focusing on the overall message rather than specific details.

An incorrect option in a multiple-choice question that is designed to be attractive but is not supported by the text. Distractors often use words from the text but change the meaning.

A restatement of the meaning of a text or utterance using different words, often to clarify or to answer a question. In exams, correct answers often paraphrase the original.

Writing down key points, facts, or ideas while listening or reading to aid memory and understanding. Effective notes use abbreviations and structure to capture essential information quickly.

Words or phrases used by speakers to guide listeners through a talk, such as 'firstly', 'however', or 'in conclusion'. They signal the structure and direction of the discourse.

A word or phrase that manages the flow of conversation or writing, such as 'well', 'you know', or 'on the other hand'. They indicate relationships between ideas or turns in speaking.

The emphasis placed on a syllable or word in speech, making it louder, longer, or higher in pitch. In English, stress can change meaning and is important for intelligibility.

The rise and fall of the voice pitch in spoken language. It can convey meaning, attitude, and sentence type, such as distinguishing a question from a statement.

The way sounds change when words are spoken together in natural, fluent speech, including linking, elision, and assimilation. It can make listening challenging for learners.

The omission of a sound or syllable in pronunciation, especially in rapid speech, as when 'next day' sounds like 'nex day'. It is a common feature of connected speech.

A process in connected speech where a sound changes to become more like a neighboring sound, as in 'ten bikes' where /n/ becomes /m/. It affects how words are perceived in listening.

A verb form that indicates the time of an action or state, such as past, present, or future. English has a complex tense system involving aspect and modality.

A grammatical category that expresses how an action relates to time, such as whether it is ongoing (progressive) or completed (perfect). It often combines with tense.

A helping verb like 'can', 'may', 'must', or 'should' that expresses possibility, ability, permission, obligation, or other attitudes. Modals do not take -s or -ed endings.

A habitual combination of words that often occur together, such as 'make a decision' or 'strong tea'. Using correct collocations is a mark of natural, advanced language use.

An expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the individual words, such as 'kick the bucket' meaning 'die'. Idioms are culturally specific and often informal.

The level of formality or style of language used in a particular situation, such as formal, informal, academic, or colloquial. Choosing the right register is important for effective communication.

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in a particular context. Recognizing synonyms helps in paraphrasing and understanding variety in texts.

A word that has the opposite meaning of another word, such as 'hot' and 'cold'. Antonyms are useful for understanding contrasts and relationships between ideas.

A sentence that states the main argument or claim of an essay, usually appearing in the introduction. It guides the structure and content of the whole piece of writing.

A sentence that introduces the main idea of a paragraph, often at the beginning. It helps readers understand what the paragraph is about and how it supports the thesis.

The organization of writing into paragraphs, each focusing on a single main idea. Good paragraphing improves readability and helps structure arguments clearly.

A word or phrase used to link ideas and sentences, such as 'however', 'therefore', or 'in addition'. These devices create logical connections and improve flow in writing.

The process of reading a piece of writing carefully to find and correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style before finalizing it.

Reviewing and revising a text to improve clarity, organization, and style, often at the sentence and paragraph level. It goes beyond proofreading to enhance overall quality.

The ability to speak or write a language smoothly and easily, without excessive pauses or errors that impede communication. It involves speed, naturalness, and coherence.

The way in which a word or language is spoken, including sounds, stress, and intonation. Clear pronunciation is essential for effective spoken communication.

The process by which speakers in a conversation alternate and manage who speaks next. It involves recognizing cues and using appropriate strategies to take or yield the floor.

A person who takes part in a conversation or dialogue with another. In speaking exams, the interlocutor may be the examiner or another candidate.