Assam ASSEB Higher Secondary English Exam key terms

A conclusion drawn from clues in a text rather than from a statement made outright. Readers combine evidence with background knowledge to work out meaning the writer implies but does not say directly.

The central point a passage develops and supports throughout. It is broader than any single detail and can usually be stated in one sentence covering the whole text.

A sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that announces the paragraph's controlling idea. The remaining sentences explain, illustrate or qualify it.

A fact, example, statistic or reason that backs up a main idea or topic sentence. Details answer how, why or in what way the central claim holds true.

The attitude a writer conveys towards the subject or reader, such as ironic, sympathetic, critical or nostalgic. Tone is revealed through word choice, sentence rhythm and imagery rather than stated openly.

The feeling a text creates in the reader, for example suspense, gloom or cheerfulness. Mood arises from setting, description and diction and is distinct from the writer's own attitude.

Information surrounding an unfamiliar word that helps a reader guess its meaning. Definitions, contrasts, examples and cause-effect signals in nearby sentences all serve as clues.

A word with a meaning close to that of another word, such as 'brief' and 'short'. Exact equivalence is rare, so synonyms often differ in formality, intensity or collocation.

A word expressing a meaning opposite to another, such as 'generous' and 'stingy'. Antonyms may be graded (hot/cold) or absolute (alive/dead).

A fixed expression whose overall meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as 'to let the cat out of the bag'. Idioms behave as single lexical units and rarely allow substitution.

A verb combined with an adverb or preposition to form a new meaning, as in 'give up' or 'put off'. Some are separable ('turn the light off') and others are not.

The habitual pairing of words that native users expect together, such as 'heavy rain' rather than 'strong rain'. Correct collocation makes writing sound natural even when grammar is accurate.

A bound morpheme attached before a root to change meaning, as 'un-' in 'unfair' or 're-' in 'rewrite'. Prefixes in English rarely change a word's grammatical class.

A bound morpheme added after a root, often changing word class, as '-ness' turns 'kind' into a noun. Inflectional suffixes such as '-ed' mark tense without creating a new word.

The core part of a word that carries its basic meaning and remains after prefixes and suffixes are removed, as 'act' in 'reaction'. Recognising roots helps decode unfamiliar vocabulary.

A clause pattern in which the subject performs the action, as in 'The committee approved the plan'. Active constructions are usually shorter and clearer than passive ones.

A clause pattern in which the subject receives the action, formed with a form of 'be' plus a past participle, as in 'The plan was approved'. It is used when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

A way of reporting words exactly as spoken, enclosed in quotation marks with a reporting clause, as in She said, 'I am tired.' Pronouns and tenses reflect the original utterance.

A way of conveying someone's words indirectly without quotation marks, as in She said that she was tired. Pronouns, tense and time references usually shift back one step.

The change of verb tense required when converting direct speech to reported speech, typically moving present to past and past to past perfect, unless the statement remains generally true.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, as in 'She writes' versus 'They write'. Intervening phrases and collective nouns often cause errors here.

A group of words containing a subject and a finite verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence; a dependent clause cannot and functions as a noun, adjective or adverb.

A group of related words that lacks a subject-verb pair and so cannot form a sentence by itself, such as 'in the morning' or 'having finished the work'. Phrases function as single sentence elements.

A verb form used as an adjective or in compound tenses, either present ('-ing') or past ('-ed' or irregular). Participial phrases must attach to the noun they logically describe.

A word joining words, phrases or clauses, such as 'and', 'but', 'because' and 'although'. Coordinating conjunctions join equals; subordinating ones introduce dependent clauses.

A word or phrase that links ideas across sentences and shows their relationship, such as 'however', 'therefore' or 'in addition'. Connectives guide the reader through an argument.

The way sentences in a text are tied together through pronouns, repetition, connectives and reference so the writing reads as one whole rather than separate statements.

The division of writing into units, each developing one idea, with a clear opening and closing sentence. Good paragraphing signals structure and helps the reader follow the argument.

A letter written to an official, editor or institution in a polite, impersonal register, following a fixed layout of sender's address, date, salutation, body, closing and signature.

The greeting that opens a letter, such as 'Dear Sir or Madam' in formal correspondence or 'Dear Rina' in personal letters. It must match the letter's register and the writer's relationship with the reader.

A short public announcement displayed on a board or circulated to a group, giving information about an event, loss, meeting or change. It states facts briefly and usually carries a date and issuer's name.

The composition of a factual account of an event, investigation or meeting, organised under a heading with an introduction, findings and conclusion, and written in an impersonal style.

The level of formality in language chosen for a situation, ranging from intimate to formal. Register affects vocabulary, contraction use, sentence length and politeness markers.

A single sentence that states the central claim of an essay and previews how it will be argued. It normally appears at the end of the introduction.

Descriptive language appealing to the senses, used to create vivid pictures and emotional effects. Imagery works through simile, metaphor and sensory adjectives rather than literal statement.

A figure of speech stating that one thing is another, as in 'the classroom was a zoo'. Unlike simile, it makes the comparison directly without 'like' or 'as'.

A comparison introduced by 'like' or 'as', as in 'her voice was like wind through pines'. Similes make explicit what a metaphor implies.

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words, as in 'silent, slow, sorrowful steps'. It draws attention to a phrase and can create rhythm or emphasis.

The pattern of end rhymes in a poem, shown by letters such as abab or aabb. The scheme reveals stanza structure and often signals closure or surprise.

A group of lines forming a unit in a poem, separated by a space from other groups. Stanzas work like paragraphs, each often developing one image or idea.

The methods a writer uses to build a character, through description, dialogue, action and the reactions of others. Direct characterisation states traits; indirect shows them.

The central character whose fortunes the narrative follows and whose decisions drive the plot. The protagonist need not be morally admirable.

The voice that tells a story, whether a participant in the action or an outside observer. The narrator's knowledge and reliability shape what the reader can know.

The perspective from which a story is told, such as first person, third-person limited or omniscient. It controls access to characters' thoughts and the reader's sympathy.

The struggle between opposing forces that drives a plot, whether person against person, society, nature or self. Conflict generates tension and moves the narrative towards resolution.

The point of greatest tension in a narrative, where the central conflict reaches its decisive moment. Events after it constitute the falling action and resolution.

The underlying idea a literary work explores, such as justice, loss or the cost of ambition. Theme is implied through events and characters rather than stated as a moral.