iTEP Academic-Core key terms

The most important point a speaker or writer makes about a topic. It is broader than a detail and is often stated near the beginning or end of a passage.

A specific fact, example, or reason that explains or proves a main idea. Recognizing details helps you answer questions about what, when, where, and why.

A conclusion you draw from clues in a text or recording rather than from a statement made directly. The answer is suggested but not written or spoken word for word.

A sentence, usually early in a paragraph, that announces what the paragraph is about. The remaining sentences develop or support it.

Information surrounding an unfamiliar word that helps you guess its meaning. Examples include definitions, contrasts, and examples given nearby in the sentence.

The meaning a word carries in a particular sentence, which may differ from its most common dictionary sense. Questions of this type ask you to choose the closest meaning as used.

To read quickly for the general sense of a passage, often by looking at headings, first sentences, and key words. Skimming helps you decide whether a text is relevant.

To move your eyes quickly over a text looking for one specific piece of information, such as a date, name, or number, without reading every word.

To restate an idea in your own words while keeping the original meaning. Correct answer choices on reading and listening questions are often paraphrases of the passage.

The reason a writer produced a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain a process. Purpose shapes the tone and the kind of details included.

The attitude a writer or speaker shows toward the subject, for example serious, humorous, critical, or neutral. Word choice and sentence style usually reveal it.

A word or phrase such as however, therefore, or in addition that links ideas and shows how sentences relate. These words signal contrast, cause, sequence, or addition.

The way sentences and paragraphs connect smoothly through linking words, repeated ideas, and pronouns. Strong cohesion makes a text easy to follow from one point to the next.

The relationship between a pronoun such as it, they, or this and the noun it stands for. Tracking the reference helps you understand who did what in a sentence.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number: singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. Interrupting phrases can make this harder to spot.

Keeping verb tenses logical and stable within a sentence or passage, shifting only when the time of the action actually changes. Unnecessary shifts confuse the reader about when events happen.

The correct shape of a verb for its grammatical role, such as base, past, participle, or gerund. Errors often involve using the wrong form after a preposition or auxiliary verb.

The base form of a verb preceded by to, as in to study or to leave. Infinitives can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs and often follow certain verbs and adjectives.

A verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun, as in Swimming is good exercise. Some verbs take a gerund where others take an infinitive after them.

A short word such as in, on, at, by, or with that shows the relationship between a noun and another part of the sentence, often place, time, or manner.

The word a, an, or the placed before a noun. A and an are indefinite; the is definite and points to something already known or specific.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause cannot.

A dependent clause beginning with who, which, that, or whose that describes a noun, as in the book that I lost. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.

A word such as and, but, because, or although that joins words, phrases, or clauses. Conjunctions show relationships like addition, contrast, or cause.

The form of an adjective or adverb used to compare two things, usually made with -er or the word more, as in faster or more careful. It is often followed by than.

The form of an adjective or adverb used to single out one item among three or more, made with -est or the word most, as in the tallest or the most useful.

A noun together with its modifiers, such as articles, adjectives, and prepositional phrases, acting as a single unit, as in the large house on the hill.

The central point or general meaning of a spoken passage, understood without catching every word. Listening questions often ask about the gist before testing details.

Paying attention to specific facts in a recording, such as times, prices, names, or reasons. Notes taken while listening make these details easier to recall.

Writing brief keywords and symbols while listening or reading to record key points. Good notes capture main ideas and numbers rather than full sentences.

The feeling or opinion a speaker expresses about a topic, shown through word choice and tone of voice. It may be positive, negative, doubtful, or neutral.

A spoken cue such as first, however, or in conclusion that tells listeners how ideas are organized. These words help you predict what comes next in a lecture.

A formal talk in which a speaker presents information to an audience, often in an academic setting. Lectures usually have an introduction, organized points, and a summary.

A spoken exchange between two or more people in which turns alternate. Listening questions about conversations often ask about the purpose or the outcome.

A short plan of a piece of writing showing its main points and the order in which they will appear. An outline keeps a response organized and on topic.

A sentence that states the central claim of an essay and previews how it will be supported. It usually appears near the end of the introduction.

The subject a piece of writing or a talk is about, stated in a few words. A topic is broader than a main idea, which says something specific about it.

An early version of a piece of writing that you produce before final editing. Drafts let you get ideas down and improve them through revision.

To improve a draft by changing content, organization, and wording, not just fixing surface errors. Revision often follows feedback from a reader or teacher.

To check a finished piece of writing for spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. Proofreading is the final step after content and organization are settled.

The total number of words in a piece of writing. Writing tasks often set a minimum word count, and responses far below it may lose points.