BSEH SS OSS English key terms

The central point that a whole passage or talk is about, usually stated once and supported by every other sentence. Distractors in tests often name a detail instead of the overall point.

A fact, example, reason, or figure that backs up the main idea of a text. It answers questions like who, when, how many, or for what reason.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that announces what the paragraph will discuss. The remaining sentences develop or illustrate it.

A conclusion a reader draws from clues in the text rather than from a direct statement. The answer is not written word for word but must be logically supported by evidence.

Reading quickly for the general sense of a text, often by looking at headings, first sentences, and key words. It is used before detailed reading or to decide whether a text is relevant.

Moving the eyes rapidly over a text to locate one specific piece of information, such as a date, name, or number, without reading everything in order.

A word, phrase, or example near an unfamiliar word that helps the reader guess its meaning. Common types are definition, synonym, contrast, and example clues.

A pronoun or short phrase such as it, this, they, or the former that points back to something already mentioned. Test items ask what the word refers to.

The writer's attitude toward the subject, shown through word choice and sentence style, for example critical, humorous, neutral, or enthusiastic. Tone is not the same as the reader's mood.

The reason a writer produced a text: to inform, to persuade, to entertain, or to instruct. Purpose shapes the structure, vocabulary, and amount of evidence used.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so a text reads as one whole. It is achieved through reference words, repetition, synonyms, and linking adverbials.

The logical order and consistency of ideas in a text, so that each part follows sensibly from the one before. A coherent text is easy to follow even without linking words.

A conjunction or adverbial such as however, therefore, in addition, or although that shows the relationship between ideas. Choosing the wrong one changes the logic of a sentence.

A group of sentences about one sub-topic, set off by indentation or spacing. A well-built paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and often a closing sentence.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person: singular subjects take singular verbs, plural subjects take plural verbs, even when words sit between them.

The verb form that shows when an action happens relative to the moment of speaking, such as past, present, or future, including simple, continuous, and perfect aspects.

The part of a verb phrase that shows how an action is viewed in time: simple (a complete event), continuous (in progress), or perfect (completed before a reference point).

A structure where the object of the action becomes the grammatical subject, formed with be plus a past participle: the report was written by the intern. It is used when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

A clause in which the subject performs the action, as in the intern wrote the report. It is usually clearer and more direct than the passive.

A sentence with an if-clause and a result clause. First conditional uses present tense plus will; second uses past plus would; third uses had plus would have for unreal past situations.

A helping verb such as can, may, must, should, or might that expresses ability, permission, obligation, or possibility. It is followed by the bare infinitive and takes no -s.

A helping verb (be, have, do, or a modal) used with a main verb to form questions, negatives, tenses, or the passive. It carries the grammatical information in the verb phrase.

A verb form used as an adjective or inside a verb phrase: the present participle ends in -ing, the past participle usually in -ed or an irregular form such as written.

An -ing form of a verb that works as a noun, as in swimming is good exercise or she enjoys reading. Some verbs take a gerund and others take an infinitive after them.

The base form of a verb, with or without to, used after certain verbs, adjectives, and to express purpose. Examples: she wants to leave; he can swim.

A clause introduced by who, which, that, whose, or where that describes a noun. A defining clause is essential and takes no commas; a non-defining clause adds extra information and is set off by commas.

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 must attach to a main clause.

A word that joins words, phrases, or clauses. Coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so) join equal parts; subordinating conjunctions (because, although, when) introduce dependent clauses.

A pair or group of words that native speakers naturally use together, such as make a decision or heavy rain. Wrong partners are grammatically possible but sound unnatural.

A word with a meaning close to another, such as begin and start. True synonyms are rare, because words differ in formality, strength, and the contexts they fit.

A word with the opposite meaning to another, such as expand and contract. Gradable antonyms sit on a scale, while complementary antonyms are absolute pairs like alive and dead.

The feeling or association a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Thin and slim share a meaning but differ in connotation, which affects tone and appropriateness.

The direct, dictionary meaning of a word, separate from any emotional association it may carry. It is what a definition states before nuance is considered.

The level of formality a situation demands, from casual speech to formal writing. Choosing words that fit the register is a common test point in emails and reports.

One or two sentences, usually at the end of an introduction, that state the central claim of an essay and preview how it will be supported.

In essay writing, the first sentence of a body paragraph that names the single point the paragraph will prove, tying it back to the thesis.

A plan of an essay or talk showing its main sections and the order of ideas, often using headings and bullet points, made before drafting begins.

A version of a piece of writing produced before the final one. Drafting lets a writer get ideas down, and later drafts improve structure, accuracy, and style.

The final check of a text for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and typing errors before it is submitted. It happens after content and organisation are settled.

Revising a text for clarity, order, word choice, and sentence variety. Unlike proofreading, editing may involve rewriting whole sentences or moving paragraphs.

A phrase that tells a reader or listener what is coming next, such as firstly, in contrast, or to sum up. Signposts make structure easy to follow.

The overall meaning of a spoken message, caught even when individual words are missed. Listening questions often ask for the gist rather than for exact wording.

A listening or reading item that asks for one specific fact from the text, such as a time, price, or reason. The answer is usually stated directly but may be paraphrased.

Writing short, abbreviated records of key points while listening or reading, using symbols, headings, and spacing to show relationships between ideas.

An answer option that looks plausible but is wrong, often because it repeats a word from the text while changing the meaning or missing a condition.

Restating a message in different words while keeping the meaning. Test options are usually paraphrases of the recording, not exact copies.

The unwritten rules about who speaks and when in a conversation, including how speakers signal that they have finished and how others interrupt politely.

The ability to speak at a steady pace with few long pauses, linking ideas smoothly. It is judged separately from accuracy, so small grammar slips need not stop the flow.

How clearly a speaker produces sounds, word stress, and sentence intonation so a listener can understand. Clarity matters more than sounding like a native speaker.

The extra force given to one syllable in a word or one word in a sentence. Wrong word stress can make a word hard to recognise even when the sounds are right.

The rise and fall of the voice across a sentence. It signals meaning such as a question, surprise, or a finished thought, and differs across languages.

A short sound or phrase such as um, well, or you know used to hold the floor while thinking. A few fillers sound natural; too many reduce fluency scores.

Fixed phrases used to perform a communicative purpose, such as asking for clarification, giving an opinion, or making a polite request. They are learned as whole chunks.