Akita Entrance English flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Signal word for correction

In listening, words such as but, however, and actually usually introduce the final, correct information, so the earlier stated option is often a distractor.

Date order in English

English states dates as month then day, so April fifth is written 4/5. Reversing the order is a common listening error on school tests.

Self-correction cue

Phrases like Sorry, I mean... or On second thought... signal that the speaker is replacing earlier information. The replacement, not the original, answers the question.

Distractor by question word

All four options may be mentioned in a monologue, but only one matches the question word who, what, when, or why. Match the question word first.

Main idea versus detail

A main-idea option must cover the whole passage. An option that is true but describes only one paragraph is a detail distractor, not the answer.

Not-stated item strategy

For not-stated questions, the correct option cannot be located in the passage, while the other three are paraphrases you can find and verify.

Pronoun reference rule

For it, they, this, and these, the antecedent is usually the nearest preceding noun phrase that agrees in number with the pronoun.

Inference answer test

A valid inference must be supported by the passage text. An option that is factually true but needs outside knowledge is incorrect for the item.

Present perfect with for and since

Use have or has plus the past participle with for plus a duration (for three years) or since plus a starting point (since 2020).

Past perfect ordering

Had plus past participle marks the earlier of two past events, as in When I arrived, the train had already left.

Conditional type patterns

Type 1 is if plus present with will plus base. Type 2 is if plus past with would plus base. Type 3 is if plus had plus participle with would have plus participle.

Subjunctive after suggest

After suggest, demand, insist, and recommend, use the base verb with no -s, as in She suggested that he go early.

Gerund and infinitive verbs

Enjoy, avoid, finish, and look forward to take -ing. Decide, hope, want, and plan take to plus the base verb.

Answering How are you

Reply with a state such as Fine, thanks or Not bad. Do not reply with a fact such as your age or occupation, which does not answer the question.

Declining an offer

Refuse an offer with No, thank you or I'm afraid I can't, optionally adding a reason. Accept with Yes, please or I'd love to.

Answering an apology

Reply to I'm sorry with That's all right, No problem, or Never mind. You're welcome answers thanks, not an apology.

Telephone response Speaking

When a caller asks May I speak to Ken?, the person answering says Speaking. To ask for a name, say Who's calling? and reply This is Ken.

Adverbial order in sentences

English orders adverbials as manner, then place, then time, as in She sang well at the concert last night.

Question inversion with did

In past questions, did carries the tense and the main verb stays in the base form, as in Where did you buy it?

Negative inversion after never

When never, hardly, or not only begins a sentence, invert subject and auxiliary, as in Never have I seen such a view.

Too-to transformation

He is too young to drive equals He is so young that he cannot drive and He is not old enough to drive. Keep the negation in the rewrite.

Indirect question word order

An embedded question keeps statement order: Do you know where he lives? Using where does he live after Do you know is an error.

Passive transformation steps

Make the object the subject, use be plus past participle, keep the original tense and number, and add the agent with by if needed.

Paragraph structure

A paragraph opens with a topic sentence, continues with supporting reasons or examples, and closes with a concluding sentence. One idea per paragraph.

Linking words by function

Use moreover and in addition for addition, however and on the other hand for contrast, because and since for cause, therefore for result, and for instance for examples.

Opinion essay frame

State your position, give two reasons with examples, then restate the position. Do not introduce a new argument in the conclusion.

Email format elements

An email needs a greeting such as Dear Mr. Brown, an opening line stating the purpose, a body, a closing such as Best regards, and a signature.

Common sentence errors

Watch for fragments with no verb, run-ons joining two main clauses without a connector, and missing articles before singular countable nouns.

Table unit matching

In chart and table tasks, read the axis labels and units first. The answer must use the same unit as the question, such as yen, percent, or people.

Superlative table comparison

Questions asking for the most or least require comparing every row in the table, not only the first two entries.

Gap grammar matching

Match the grammar of a gap to its surroundings: a noun follows an article, an adjective precedes a noun, and a base verb follows a modal.

Note-taking shorthand

Use arrows for change, plus and minus signs for increase and decrease, and abbreviations for repeated words to keep pace with spoken information.