UPMSP Intermediate English key terms

A reading text not from the prescribed books, followed by questions testing comprehension, inference, and vocabulary. Candidates read it carefully, identify the main idea, and answer in their own words.

The central point that a paragraph or passage is built around. It is usually stated in a topic sentence or must be summed up from details that repeat or support one another.

A sentence, often the first in a paragraph, that announces what the paragraph will discuss. The remaining sentences explain, illustrate, or prove it with evidence and examples.

A fact, example, reason, or statistic that backs up the main idea of a passage. Questions often ask you to pick out details or to say which statement is not supported by the text.

A conclusion drawn from clues in the text rather than stated directly. Readers combine what is written with general knowledge to work out meaning, motive, or outcome.

The sense a word carries in a particular sentence, which may differ from its dictionary meaning. Questions ask you to choose the closest option using the surrounding words as evidence.

The attitude of the writer towards the subject, such as critical, humorous, sympathetic, or neutral. Tone is revealed through word choice, sentence length, and the amount of praise or blame given.

A piece of formal writing on a given topic, organised into an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. It needs a clear viewpoint, logical order, and examples rather than a list of loose sentences.

A short plan made before writing, listing the main points in the order they will appear. It prevents repetition and keeps the essay or letter focused on the question asked.

The quality of a piece of writing in which ideas follow logically and connect smoothly. Linking words, pronouns, and repeated key terms help the reader move from one point to the next without confusion.

A word or phrase such as however, therefore, moreover, or on the other hand that joins sentences and shows the relation between ideas. Correct use earns marks in writing tasks.

A group of sentences developing one idea, marked by indentation or a line break. A good paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and often a concluding sentence.

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

A formal letter pointing out a fault in a product or service and asking for redress. It states the facts, describes the inconvenience caused, and requests a specific remedy politely but firmly.

The greeting at the start of a letter, such as Dear Sir or Madam in formal writing, or Dear Ramesh in personal writing. It is followed by a comma and sets the level of politeness.

The closing line of a letter, such as Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely, followed by the writer's name. In formal letters it matches the salutation used at the beginning.

A short, factual announcement displayed for a group of people, giving what, when, where, and whom to contact. It is written in the third person, is boxed, and carries a heading, date, and signature.

A persuasive piece of writing that promotes a product, service, or event. It uses a catchy heading, short sentences, attractive adjectives, and contact details to draw the reader's attention.

A short, memorable phrase used in an advertisement to fix a product in the reader's mind. It is brief, rhythmic, and often uses rhyme, alliteration, or wordplay.

A factual account of an event written for a newspaper, magazine, or school magazine. It answers what, when, where, who, and why, and usually has a headline, a byline, and paragraphs in order of importance.

The short, bold title above a news report that sums up the story and attracts attention. It usually leaves out articles and uses present tense for past events.

The form of a verb that shows the time of an action, such as present, past, or future. Consistency of tense within a sentence or paragraph is a common grammar test item.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and phrases between the subject and verb do not change this.

The words a, an, and the placed before nouns. A and an are indefinite and depend on sound, while the is definite and points to a particular person or thing.

A word such as in, on, at, by, or with that shows the relation between a noun and another part of the sentence. Fixed expressions like good at and married to are often tested.

The form of a verb showing whether the subject acts or is acted upon. In active voice the subject performs the action; in passive voice the object becomes the subject and the doer may be omitted.

The reporting of someone's words, either directly in quotation marks or indirectly without them. Changing direct to indirect speech requires shifts in tense, pronouns, and time words.

A word with a meaning close to another word, such as brave and courageous. Test items ask you to choose the option nearest in meaning to a word in a passage.

A word opposite in meaning to another, such as generous and miserly. Items often ask you to pick the word most nearly opposite in meaning to the given word.

A fixed group of words whose meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words, such as to let the cat out of the bag. Idioms must be learnt as whole units.

A verb combined with an adverb or preposition to give a new meaning, such as give up or look after. The particle changes the sense, so the whole combination must be remembered.

The central idea or message a literary work explores, such as courage, poverty, or the value of education. It is broader than the plot and is revealed through events, characters, and images.

A description of a person in a story or play, covering appearance, speech, actions, and the opinions of others. Good answers quote incidents from the text to support each quality named.

The chief character around whom the action of a story, play, or poem is built. The conflict usually centres on this person, and the ending shows how the character has changed.

The main thought expressed by a poem or passage, stated briefly in the candidate's own words. In poetry it often grows out of the images and the poet's attitude rather than a single line.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating pictures in the reader's mind. Poets use simile, metaphor, and sensory words to build imagery and convey mood.

A figure of speech that states one thing is another without using like or as, as in life is a journey. It transfers qualities from one object to another to deepen meaning.

A comparison between two different things using like or as, such as as brave as a lion. It makes description vivid and is one of the most commonly tested poetic devices.

The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in nearby words, as in wild and windy. It gives rhythm and emphasis and is frequently asked about in poetry questions.

The pattern of end rhymes in a poem, shown by letters such as abab or aabb. Identifying it helps describe the poem's form and musical quality.

The lesson a story teaches about right and wrong behaviour, often stated at the end. In fables and moral tales it is the reason the story is told.