HiSET key terms

The central point a passage makes about its topic. It may be stated in one sentence or inferred from the details, and the rest of the text should support it.

A conclusion a reader draws by combining information in the text with background knowledge. It is not stated directly, but the details must logically support it.

The reason a writer created a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Recognizing it helps a reader judge how the details and language were chosen.

The attitude a writer expresses toward the subject, shown through word choice and details. It may be serious, humorous, angry, or neutral, and it is not the same as the reader's feelings.

A word, phrase, or sentence near an unfamiliar word that hints at its meaning. Common types include definitions, examples, contrasts, and restatements in the surrounding text.

A slant or preference that keeps a writer from presenting a subject fairly. It shows up in loaded words, omitted facts, and one-sided examples, so readers should notice what is left out.

A short restatement of a text's main points in your own words. A good summary keeps the central ideas, drops minor details, and does not add personal opinion.

A single sentence that states the main claim of an essay and often previews the reasons. It usually appears near the end of the introduction and controls everything that follows.

The sentence that states the main point of a paragraph. It usually comes first and tells the reader what the rest of the paragraph will explain or prove.

A word, phrase, or sentence that connects ideas and shows how they relate, such as addition, contrast, cause, or sequence. Transitions help readers follow the writer's logic smoothly.

Two or more complete sentences joined without correct punctuation or a connecting word. It can be fixed with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a conjunction.

The rule that a subject and its verb must match in number. A singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb, even when words come between them.

The rule that a pronoun must match the noun it refers to in number and gender. For example, a singular noun needs a singular pronoun such as it or he.

Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or for ideas being compared. Matching forms, such as all verbs or all noun phrases, make a sentence clear and balanced.

Reworking a draft to improve ideas, organization, and word choice, not just fixing surface errors. It may involve adding, cutting, reordering, or rewriting whole sentences and paragraphs.

The average of a set of numbers, found by adding all the values and dividing by how many there are. It is pulled strongly toward very large or very small values.

The middle value in a set of numbers arranged in order. If there is an even number of values, the median is the mean of the two middle numbers.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often written as a to b, a:b, or a over b. It tells how much of one thing there is for each amount of another.

A rate in which the second quantity is one unit, such as miles per one hour or cost per one item. Unit rates make it easy to compare different speeds or prices.

A ratio that compares a number to 100. For example, 25 percent means 25 out of every 100, and it can also be written as the fraction 25 over 100 or as 0.25.

A measure of how steep a line is, found by dividing the vertical change by the horizontal change between two points. On a graph it shows the rate of change.

A letter or symbol that stands for an unknown or changing number in an expression or equation. Solving an equation means finding the value that makes it true.

The agreed sequence for evaluating an expression: parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division from left to right, then addition and subtraction from left to right.

A testable prediction about what will happen in an experiment, based on observations or prior knowledge. It must be stated so that data could show it to be wrong.

The factor an experimenter deliberately changes in an experiment. Its effect is measured by watching how the dependent variable responds while other conditions stay the same.

The part of an experiment that does not receive the treatment being tested. Comparing it with the experimental group shows whether the treatment actually caused the observed change.

The amount of mass in a given volume, calculated as mass divided by volume. An object with greater density than a fluid sinks in it, while a less dense object floats.

The process by which green plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make sugar and release oxygen. It stores energy and forms the base of most food chains.

A community of living things interacting with one another and with the nonliving parts of their environment, such as water, soil, air, and sunlight.

A process in which substances break apart or combine to form new substances with different properties. Signs include a color change, gas bubbles, heat, or a new solid forming.

An original record made by someone who witnessed or took part in an event, such as a letter, photograph, diary, or law. It gives direct evidence rather than later interpretation.

A system of government in which power is divided between a national government and state governments. Each level has its own responsibilities, and the Constitution sets the balance.

The arrangement in which each branch of government can limit the power of the others. For example, the president can veto laws and the courts can rule laws unconstitutional.

The relationship between how much of a product sellers offer and how much buyers want. When demand rises or supply falls, prices tend to go up.

A general rise in the prices of goods and services over time, which reduces what a given amount of money can buy.

A formal change or addition made to a constitution or law. In the United States, amendments to the Constitution are proposed and ratified through special procedures.