Kerala Plus Two Communicative English (DHSE) key terms

A conclusion drawn from evidence in a text rather than stated directly. Readers combine clues, context, and prior knowledge to work out meaning, tone, or the writer's attitude when it is implied rather than spelled out.

The central point a passage communicates, usually expressible in one sentence. Supporting details, examples, and explanations in the text all work to develop or defend it, and questions often ask you to identify or summarise it.

A sentence, usually at the start of a paragraph, that announces the paragraph's controlling idea. The remaining sentences support, illustrate, or qualify it, which makes it a reliable anchor when scanning for structure.

Information surrounding an unfamiliar word that helps a reader guess its meaning. Definitions, examples, contrasts, and cause-effect relationships in nearby sentences are the common types tested in unseen-passage vocabulary questions.

The attitude a writer conveys towards the subject or reader, such as ironic, nostalgic, indignant, or humorous. It is detected through word choice, sentence length, punctuation, and imagery rather than stated outright.

Reading rapidly to locate a specific piece of information, such as a date, name, or figure, without reading every word. The eyes move quickly over the text hunting for a visual match to the target.

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

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so a text reads as a connected whole. Linking words, pronouns, repetition of key terms, and parallel structure all create it, and gap-fill exercises often test it.

A word or phrase that connects ideas across sentences, such as however, therefore, in addition, or on the other hand. Choosing the correct one depends on the logical relationship between the ideas being joined.

A conjunction or adverbial link joining clauses, sentences, or paragraphs. Examples include because, although, moreover, and nevertheless; each signals a specific relationship such as cause, contrast, or addition.

A letter written in a polite, impersonal register to an official, editor, or institution. It follows a fixed layout with sender's address, date, receiver's address, salutation, subject line, body, and complimentary close.

The greeting at the start of a letter, such as Dear Sir or Madam, Dear Mr Nair, or Dear Editor. The choice depends on whether the recipient's name is known and how formal the relationship is.

The farewell phrase before the signature, such as Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely, or Yours truly. Yours faithfully conventionally pairs with Dear Sir or Madam, while Yours sincerely pairs with a named recipient.

A short public announcement displayed on a board or circulated in an institution. It states what, when, where, and who in a few lines, usually with a heading, date, and the name and designation of the issuer.

Producing a structured factual account of an event, survey, or incident for a specified readership. It typically includes a title, reporter's name, date, an opening statement, organised details, and a conclusion or recommendation.

The variety of language suited to a particular situation and audience, ranging from informal conversational style to formal official style. Word choice, contraction use, and sentence complexity all shift with it.

A piece of writing for a newspaper, magazine, or school publication that presents a viewpoint or explains a topic. It needs an arresting title, a lead paragraph, developed paragraphs, and a closing thought.

A spoken address delivered to an audience, written with direct address, rhetorical questions, repetition, and a clear opening and closing. Its language is more conversational than an article but still organised and purposeful.

A question asked for effect rather than to obtain an answer, since the answer is obvious or the point is to provoke thought. It is a common persuasive device in speeches and argumentative writing.

A sentence construction in which the subject performs the action, as in The committee approved the plan. It is generally clearer and more direct than the passive and is preferred in most narrative and persuasive writing.

A construction in which the subject receives the action, formed with a form of be plus the past participle, as in The plan was approved. It suits impersonal reporting and when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

Conveying what someone said without quoting them directly, which requires backshifting tenses, adjusting pronouns, and changing time and place words. For example, I am tired becomes He said that he was tired.

Quoting a speaker's exact words inside quotation marks, with the reporting clause and punctuation arranged correctly. Converting it to reported speech changes tense, pronouns, and time references.

The grammatical form of a verb that locates an action in time, such as present, past, or future, and marks whether it is simple, continuous, perfect, or perfect continuous. Consistency of tense within a passage is frequently tested.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. Difficulties arise with collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, compound subjects, and phrases inserted between the subject and its verb.

Another name for grammatical agreement, most often between subject and verb but also between pronoun and antecedent. Errors in concord are a standard item type in error-correction questions.

A bound morpheme attached before a root to change meaning, as un- in unhappy or re- in rewrite. Knowing common prefixes such as dis-, mis-, pre-, and anti- helps in word-formation tasks.

A bound morpheme added after a root that may change the word's class, as -ness turning happy into happiness. Word-formation questions often require choosing the correct suffix to fit a sentence gap.

The base form of a word to which prefixes and suffixes are added, carrying the core meaning. Recognising roots such as port, dict, or spect helps in deducing the meaning of unfamiliar derivatives.

A word with a meaning close to another, such as begin and commence. True synonyms are rare, since words differ in formality and collocation, so substitution questions test nuance as well as similarity.

A word opposite in meaning to another, such as generous and stingy. Antonyms may be graded, as with hot and cold, or complementary, as with alive and dead, which affects how they are used.

The habitual pairing of words that native users expect together, such as make a decision or heavy rain. Choosing the natural partner rather than a mere synonym is what collocation exercises test.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as to let the cat out of the bag. Idioms are learnt as units and often carry an informal register.

A verb combined with an adverb or preposition particle to create a new meaning, such as put off, look into, or give in. The particle may be separable or inseparable, which affects word order.

A gap between what is said or expected and what is meant or actually happens. Verbal irony says the opposite of the intended meaning, while situational irony reverses expectation, and both are central to satire.

Writing that uses humour, irony, or exaggeration to expose and criticise folly or vice. Its purpose is corrective rather than merely amusing, and it often depends on the reader sharing the writer's values.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a picture in the reader's mind. It works through concrete nouns, adjectives, and figures of speech to establish mood and atmosphere.

A figure of speech that states one thing is another without using like or as, as in the classroom was a zoo. It transfers qualities from one domain to another to sharpen perception.

A comparison introduced by like or as, as in her voice was like gravel. It makes an explicit link between two unlike things that share a striking quality.

The underlying idea or comment on life that a literary work develops, such as the cost of ambition or the value of empathy. Themes are inferred from recurring images, conflicts, and characters rather than stated directly.

The methods an author uses to build a character, including description, dialogue, action, and the reactions of others. Direct characterisation tells the reader; indirect characterisation shows through behaviour.

A situation in drama where the audience knows something a character does not, so the character's words carry a meaning they cannot see. It generates suspense, pathos, or comic effect.

A speech in a play delivered by a character alone on stage, revealing private thoughts to the audience. It differs from a monologue because no other character is present to hear it.

An extended speech by one character in the presence of others, often used to narrate events or persuade. It differs from dialogue in that one voice dominates the exchange.

Restating a text's meaning in your own words while keeping the sense intact, usually at similar length. It demonstrates comprehension and is often required in literature answers and summary tasks.

A condensed restatement of a text's main points, omitting examples and repetition. A good summary preserves proportion, giving most space to the central ideas rather than incidental details.