Georgia Unified Foreign Language key terms

Understanding the main idea or general meaning of a spoken passage without focusing on every detail. It helps you answer questions about the overall topic or purpose.

Paying close attention to specific information such as names, numbers, dates, or facts in a spoken text. This skill is needed for questions that ask for exact details.

Drawing a conclusion from what a speaker says even though it is not stated directly. You use context, tone, and background knowledge to understand implied meaning.

Quickly writing down key words, numbers, or symbols while listening to a recording or talk. Good notes help you recall information when answering questions later.

The feeling or opinion a speaker expresses through word choice and voice, such as enthusiasm, doubt, or annoyance. Recognizing it helps you answer questions about how the speaker feels.

The emphasis placed on certain syllables or words and the rise and fall of pitch in speech. These patterns can change meaning and show the speaker's emotion or intent.

An answer choice that seems correct but is actually wrong. Distractors often repeat words from the text or sound plausible, so you must check carefully against what was said or written.

Reading quickly to get the general idea or main points of a text. You look at headings, first sentences, and key words rather than reading every word.

Looking through a text quickly to find specific information such as a name, date, or number. Your eyes move rapidly until you locate the needed detail.

The central point or message of a paragraph or passage. It is often stated in a topic sentence, but sometimes you must infer it from the details.

Facts, examples, or reasons that explain or prove the main idea. They help you understand the text more fully and answer questions about specific information.

Reading carefully to understand specific information, such as causes, effects, or sequences. This skill is needed for questions that ask about exact facts in the text.

Understanding the meaning of a word based on the words and sentences around it. A word can have different meanings, so context helps you choose the correct one.

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. Recognizing synonyms helps you answer questions that ask for a word with a similar meaning.

A word that means the opposite of another word. Questions may ask you to find an antonym in the text or choose the opposite meaning.

The reason why an author writes a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Identifying the purpose helps you understand the overall message.

Understanding something that is not stated directly in a text by using clues and your own knowledge. It involves reading between the lines to draw a logical conclusion.

The quality of a text that makes it clear and logical, with ideas connected smoothly. Coherence is achieved through consistent organization and clear relationships between sentences.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked together using words like pronouns, conjunctions, and repeated terms. Good cohesion makes a text flow smoothly.

Words or phrases such as however, therefore, and in addition that show how ideas are connected. They help readers follow the logic of a text.

The way a paragraph is structured, usually with a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. Good organization makes the main idea easy to find.

A category of words based on their grammatical function, such as noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, conjunction, and interjection. Knowing parts of speech helps you use words correctly.

A word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns can be countable or uncountable, singular or plural, and they often function as subjects or objects.

A word that expresses an action or a state of being. Verbs change form to show tense, aspect, mood, and agreement with the subject.

A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, such as happy, red, or difficult. Adjectives can show comparison through forms like -er and -est.

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb, often telling how, when, where, or to what degree. Many adverbs are formed by adding -ly to an adjective.

The form of a verb that shows when an action happens, such as past, present, or future. English has simple, progressive, perfect, and perfect progressive tenses.

The form of a verb that shows whether an action is complete, ongoing, or repeated. In English, aspect is expressed through simple, progressive, and perfect forms.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. For example, a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

A word used before a noun to show whether it refers to something specific or general. English has the definite article the and the indefinite articles a and an.

A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word, often indicating place, time, or direction. Examples include in, on, at, and between.

A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses, such as and, but, or because. Conjunctions help show relationships between ideas in a sentence.

A group of words that contains a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause cannot.

The way words and clauses are arranged to form sentences. Common structures include simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.

The level of formality in language that suits a particular situation or audience. For example, formal register is used in academic writing, while informal register is used with friends.

The attitude or feeling conveyed by a writer's choice of words. Tone can be formal, informal, serious, humorous, or sarcastic, and it affects how the message is received.

Considering who will read your writing and adjusting your language, content, and style to meet their needs. It helps make your writing clear and appropriate.

A sentence that states the main argument or central idea of an essay. It usually appears near the beginning and guides the structure of the whole piece.

A sentence that introduces the main idea of a paragraph. It often comes first and tells the reader what the paragraph will be about.

A plan that lists the main points and supporting details of a piece of writing in order. It helps organize ideas before drafting.

The process of writing the first version of a text. During drafting, you focus on getting ideas down rather than perfecting grammar or style.

Improving a piece of writing by changing its content, organization, or clarity. Revising may involve adding, removing, or rearranging ideas.

Checking and correcting a piece of writing for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word choice. Editing is usually done after revising the content.

The final check of a text to find and correct small errors such as typos or punctuation mistakes. It is done just before submitting or publishing the writing.

The way in which a word or language is spoken, including sounds, stress, and intonation. Clear pronunciation helps listeners understand your message.

The ability to speak or write smoothly and easily without many pauses or errors. Fluency involves speed, natural rhythm, and the ability to keep a conversation going.

The way participants in a conversation alternate speaking and listening. Good turn-taking involves knowing when to speak and when to let others speak.

Techniques used to manage conversations, such as asking for clarification, paraphrasing, or changing the topic. They help keep communication going smoothly.

Expressing the same meaning using different words. In speaking, it can help you clarify your point or check understanding; in writing, it helps you avoid copying.

Giving a brief statement of the main points of a text or speech. It requires identifying key ideas and leaving out unnecessary details.