Maharashtra SSC English - Second/Third Language (MSBSHSE) key terms

The main point or message that a passage, poem, or lesson conveys as a whole, usually stated in one sentence after reading the entire text carefully.

The underlying subject or life message explored by a text, such as friendship, courage, or the value of hard work, often implied rather than directly stated.

A conclusion a reader draws by combining clues in the text with personal knowledge, even though the writer does not state that conclusion in words.

The ability to read or listen to a text and understand its literal meaning, its implied meaning, and the relationships among its parts well enough to answer questions.

A short description of a person in a story that covers appearance, behaviour, speech, and personality, supported by evidence from the text rather than guesswork.

The main character around whom a story's events are organised and whose decisions or struggles usually drive the plot forward.

The sequence of events in a narrative, usually built from an opening situation, a rising complication, a climax, and a resolution or ending.

The point of greatest tension or turning point in a story, after which the conflict begins to move towards its resolution.

The struggle between opposing forces in a narrative, such as person against person, person against nature, or person against their own doubts.

The lesson about right behaviour or good living that a story or fable is designed to teach, often stated directly at the end.

A deliberate departure from ordinary literal language, such as simile, metaphor, or personification, used to create emphasis, imagery, or emotional effect.

A comparison between two unlike things introduced by words such as like or as, for example 'her voice was like a bell'.

A direct comparison in which one thing is described as if it were another, without using like or as, for example 'the classroom was a zoo'.

A figure of speech in which a non-human thing, animal, or idea is given human qualities, as when the wind whispers or the sun smiles.

The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in nearby words, such as 'slow, silent, silver stream', used for rhythm and musical effect.

The pattern of end rhymes in a poem, usually shown with letters such as abab or aabb, where matching letters mark lines that rhyme.

A group of lines in a poem separated from other groups by spacing, functioning like a paragraph and often sharing a rhyme pattern or idea.

A short written response to a poem that comments on its theme, form, rhyme, figures of speech, tone, and the effect the poem creates on the reader.

The attitude a writer or speaker takes towards the subject, such as humorous, sorrowful, ironic, or admiring, revealed through word choice and rhythm.

The feeling or atmosphere a text creates in the reader, for example suspense, calm, or sadness, produced by setting, diction, and imagery.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates mental pictures, helping a reader see, hear, smell, taste, or feel what is described.

Reading a text quickly to grasp its general meaning or gist, often by looking at headings, first sentences, and key words rather than every word.

Reading a text rapidly to locate a specific piece of information, such as a date, name, or figure, without reading everything in order.

A hint about a word's meaning supplied by the surrounding words or sentences, allowing a reader to work out unfamiliar vocabulary without a dictionary.

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in a particular context, such as 'begin' and 'commence'.

A word with a meaning opposite to another word, such as 'ancient' and 'modern', often used in vocabulary questions and word-building exercises.

A meaningful group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning, as un- does in 'unhappy' or re- in 'rewrite'.

A meaningful group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or grammatical form, as -ness does in 'kindness'.

The process of building new words from roots by adding prefixes and suffixes or by combining words, tested through exercises such as forming nouns from verbs.

A sentence construction in which the subject performs the action, as in 'The teacher explained the lesson', usually making the writing direct and clear.

A construction in which the subject receives the action, formed with a form of be plus the past participle, as in 'The lesson was explained by the teacher'.

The exact words spoken by a person, enclosed in quotation marks and usually introduced by a reporting verb, as in She said, 'I am ready.'

A way of conveying what someone said without quoting the exact words, with pronouns, tense, and time expressions adjusted, as in She said that she was ready.

A letter written for official or business purposes in a polite, impersonal style, following a fixed layout with sender's address, date, salutation, body, and closing.

A personal letter to a friend or relative, written in a friendly conversational style and allowing contractions, personal news, and a relaxed closing.

A short official announcement displayed or circulated to inform a group about an event, meeting, or change, usually giving the date, purpose, and contact person.

Writing a factual account of an event or investigation in a structured form, typically with a title, reporter's name, date, and a clear sequence of what happened.

Composing a conversation between two or more speakers, using natural spoken language, speaker labels, and a logical exchange of questions and replies.

A prepared talk delivered to an audience, usually opening with an address to the listeners, developing one central message, and closing with thanks or an appeal.

A shortened version of a text that keeps only its main points, written in the summariser's own words and usually about one-third of the original length.

Recording the key points of a text in short phrases, headings, and sub-points, often in a tree or table form, so the content can be revised quickly.

Presenting information from a prose passage in another form, such as a table, chart, or flowchart, without adding new ideas or changing the meaning.

Expressing the meaning of a text in another language while preserving its sense, tone, and important details rather than translating word for word.

The internal-assessment skill of understanding spoken English, shown by following instructions, answering oral questions, and retelling what was heard.

An internal-assessment task in which students research a topic, gather material, and present findings in a file or display, often linked to a prescribed lesson.