Aichi Entrance English key terms

The single most important point a passage makes about its subject. Questions often ask you to choose the sentence that best states it, so check that your choice covers the whole passage and not just one detail.

The sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that announces what the paragraph is about. The sentences that follow give examples, reasons, or details that support it.

A fact, example, reason, or number that backs up a paragraph's main point. Questions may ask which detail is not mentioned, so compare each option with the passage line by line.

A conclusion you draw from clues in the text rather than from a sentence stated outright. The answer must be supported by the passage, not by your own general knowledge.

Reading quickly to find one specific piece of information, such as a time, a price, or a name. Your eyes move over the text without reading every word, then slow down at the target.

Reading quickly through a whole passage to catch its general topic and structure before answering questions. You look at titles, first sentences, and repeated words rather than at details.

The noun that a word like it, they, this, or one points back to. Questions ask what “it” refers to, so find the nearest earlier noun that fits both meaning and grammar.

A rewording of a sentence or idea using different vocabulary while keeping the same meaning. Correct answer choices are often paraphrases of the passage rather than exact copies of it.

Information in the words around an unknown word that helps you guess its meaning. Examples, opposites, definitions, and cause-and-effect links in the same sentence are common kinds of clue.

A reading task built on real-world material such as a notice, timetable, menu, or e-mail, where you locate and combine facts. Check dates, conditions, and small print before choosing an answer.

An answer choice that looks correct but contains a wrong detail, a reversed meaning, or information from a different part of the passage. Reading all options before deciding helps you reject them.

The overall meaning of what a speaker says, taken as a whole rather than word by word. You can often answer a gist question without understanding every single sentence.

A short phrase such as first, after that, however, or finally that shows how ideas are organized. Noticing these words helps you follow the order of a talk or a dialogue.

Catching times, prices, dates, and quantities accurately while listening. Common traps are similar-sounding pairs like thirteen and thirty, or a number that is corrected a moment later.

A listening task in which you choose the picture matching what was said, or note where people and objects are. Words for position, appearance, and action decide the answer, so learn them well.

A passage spoken by one person, such as an announcement, a short talk, or a recorded message. Listen for who is speaking, who they are speaking to, and what they want listeners to do.

The way words join and change in fast speech: sounds link, some are dropped, and weak forms appear. Knowing that can may sound almost like cn prevents mishearing.

A writing task controlled by instructions that state the topic, the points to include, and often the length. Follow every instruction, because missing one point loses marks even when the English is good.

A linking word or phrase such as because, but, also, or for example that shows the relation between sentences. Using them makes a short composition read smoothly and logically.

Joining two or more short sentences into one correct sentence by using a conjunction, a relative pronoun, or a participle. The meaning must stay the same and the grammar must remain correct.

The instruction that tells you what to write about, who you are writing for, and what to include. Underline the key points before starting so that your answer covers all of them.

The rule that a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb. Watch for subjects separated from the verb by phrases, and for words like everyone or each.

Keeping the time of a passage or sentence logical, without jumping between past, present, and future for no reason. Reported speech and time expressions usually decide which tense is correct.

The fixed arrangement of subject, verb, object, and modifiers in English sentences. Reordering questions give you scrambled pieces, and only one arrangement follows the rules of English.

Who, which, that, whose, or whom, used to add information about a noun, as in the book that I bought. Check whether the noun is a person or a thing, and whether the pronoun is subject or object.

Words placed after a noun to describe it, such as a phrase or clause: the girl standing by the door. Japanese learners often put such information before the noun, which is wrong in English.

The -ing form or to + verb used as a noun or after another verb. Some verbs take only one pattern, as in enjoy reading and want to go, so learn them in pairs.

A sentence pattern where the person or thing receiving the action becomes the subject, as in the window was broken. Use it when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious.

A pair or group of words that native speakers naturally use together, such as take a shower or heavy rain. Learning whole phrases prevents errors that grammar rules alone cannot catch.

A verb plus a particle that together carry a new meaning, such as give up, look after, or turn down. The particle changes the meaning, so learn the whole unit as one word.

A task where you find the one part of a sentence that contains a mistake and correct it. Check verb forms, articles, prepositions, and word order in that order.

An expression asking someone to do something, such as Could you open the window? or Would you mind waiting? Politeness usually comes from the question form, not from adding please alone.

The paired expressions used when one speaker proposes something and the other agrees or refuses, as in How about a coffee? - Sounds great, but I'm busy. Learn both halves of the exchange.

The level of formality suited to the listener and situation, such as casual speech with friends and polite forms with teachers or strangers. Choosing the wrong level makes an otherwise correct answer unsuitable.

Expressions for saying sorry and for answering an apology, such as I'm sorry I'm late - That's all right. The reply must match the situation, not just be grammatically correct.