COM-FSM Placement flashcards
COM-FSM Placement · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Comma splice
- An error in which two independent clauses are joined by only a comma. Repair it with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
- Sentence fragment
- A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a subject, a finite verb, or a complete thought, often a dependent clause standing alone.
- Coordinating conjunctions
- The seven words for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS). They can join two independent clauses when preceded by a comma.
- Parallel structure
- The rule that items in a list, series, or comparison must use the same grammatical form, such as all nouns or all gerunds.
- Dangling modifier
- A descriptive phrase that does not clearly attach to the word it is meant to modify, often because the intended subject is missing from the main clause.
- Its versus it's
- 'Its' is the possessive form showing ownership; 'it's' is the contraction of 'it is' or 'it has'. Choosing wrongly changes meaning.
- Subject-verb agreement
- The verb must match its subject in number. Phrases between them do not change the subject, so 'the box of pens is' stays singular.
- Colon use
- A colon follows a complete independent clause and introduces a list, an explanation, or a quotation; it never separates a verb from its object.
- Main idea
- The central point that the whole passage supports. It is broader than any single detail and is often stated in the first or last sentence.
- Inference
- A conclusion the text logically requires but does not state directly. A valid inference is forced by evidence, not merely plausible.
- Tone versus mood
- Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject, revealed by word choice; mood is the feeling the text creates in the reader.
- Context clue
- Surrounding words that reveal an unfamiliar word's meaning, through definition, example, contrast, or cause-and-effect relationships in the sentence.
- Author's purpose
- The reason a text was written, usually to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. The question's verb signals which purpose to select.
- Supporting detail
- A fact, example, or statistic that backs up the main idea. It answers who, what, when, where, or how much rather than stating the overall point.
- Cause and effect
- An organizational pattern linking reasons to results. Signal words include because, therefore, since, as a result, and consequently.
- Scope error
- A wrong answer choice that is true in general but not supported by the passage, or that overstates with words like always, never, or all.
- Order of operations
- The sequence for evaluating expressions: parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division left to right, then addition and subtraction left to right.
- Slope formula
- Slope equals the change in y divided by the change in x: m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1). It measures steepness of a line.
- Slope-intercept form
- The equation y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept, the point where the line crosses the y-axis.
- Percent change
- The difference between new and old values divided by the original value, times 100: (new - old)/old x 100. A positive result is an increase.
- Dividing fractions
- To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal: a/b divided by c/d equals a/b times d/c. Flip the second fraction, then multiply.
- Common denominator
- A shared multiple of two denominators that allows fractions to be added or subtracted. Only numerators are combined once denominators match.
- Area of a triangle
- Area equals one-half times base times height: A = 1/2 bh. The height must be perpendicular to the chosen base.
- Circle circumference
- The distance around a circle, given by C = 2 pi r or C = pi d, where r is the radius and d is the diameter.
- Exponent product rule
- When multiplying powers with the same base, add the exponents: x^a times x^b equals x^(a+b). The base stays unchanged.
- Cross-multiplication
- A method for solving proportions: if a/b = c/d, then ad = bc. Multiply each numerator by the opposite denominator.
- Median
- The middle value of a data set arranged in order. With an even count, it is the mean of the two middle values.
- Run-on sentence
- Two independent clauses written with no punctuation or conjunction between them. Fix it with a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction.
- Semicolon function
- A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a conjunction, or separates items in a list that already contain commas.
- Affect versus effect
- 'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is usually a noun meaning the result. Remember: cause affects, result is effect.
- Collective noun agreement
- Words like team, committee, and family take a singular verb when the group acts as one unit, and a plural verb when members act individually.
- Indefinite pronoun agreement
- Pronouns such as each, everyone, nobody, and either are singular, so they take singular verbs and singular pronouns like his or her.