Fukuoka Entrance English key terms

The single most important point a passage or talk makes about its topic. It is broader than any one detail and is usually stated in the opening or closing sentence, or must be inferred by combining several sentences.

The sentence, often first in a paragraph, that announces what the paragraph is about. Locating it quickly helps you predict the rest of the paragraph and answer main-idea questions faster.

A fact, example, number, or reason that explains or proves the main idea. Detail questions ask you to find one specific piece of information, so scan for the keyword rather than reading every line again.

A conclusion you draw from clues in the text that are not stated directly. For example, if a writer says the umbrella was broken and the ground was wet, you can infer it had rained.

A pronoun or phrase such as it, they, this, or the former that points back to an earlier noun or idea. Questions often ask what such a word refers to, so check the sentence just before it.

The way sentences in a text are linked so the writing flows logically. Connectors like however, therefore, and in addition, plus consistent pronouns, create cohesion and often signal the answer to ordering questions.

A word or phrase that shows the logical link between two ideas, such as because, although, on the other hand, or as a result. Identifying its function tells you whether the next idea agrees, contrasts, or gives a reason.

A relationship in which two ideas differ or oppose each other, signalled by words like but, however, whereas, and unlike. Noticing contrast markers prevents you from choosing an answer that reverses the writer's meaning.

A relationship where one event makes another happen, shown by because, so, lead to, result in, or due to. Questions may ask why something happened or what consequence followed, so match the direction of the link carefully.

Reading quickly to locate one specific piece of information, such as a date, name, or number, without reading every word. It is the fastest strategy for detail and information-retrieval questions.

Reading rapidly for the general sense of a text, often by looking at titles, first sentences, and headings. It gives you a mental map before you answer detailed questions.

Extracting information from a graph, table, or diagram by matching labels, units, and values. Check the axis labels and legend first, and note whether figures are totals, averages, or percentages before choosing an answer.

A short public text announcing an event, rule, or change, such as a schedule change or a library closing. Notices use compact wording, so read the headline, date, and conditions with care.

Choosing the most natural reply to a short spoken or written exchange in a given setting, such as a shop or classroom. The correct answer fits both the meaning and the level of politeness required.

The purpose of an utterance, such as requesting, apologizing, inviting, or refusing. Identifying the function first narrows the possible replies, because an invitation needs a different answer than a complaint.

The degree of formality in language, ranging from casual speech with friends to formal wording with teachers or customers. A reply that is grammatically fine can still be wrong if its politeness does not match the situation.

A question embedded in a statement or another question, such as Could you tell me where the station is? The word order after the question word becomes statement order, which is a common trap in dialogue questions.

A short question added to the end of a statement, as in You are new here, aren't you? The tag echoes the auxiliary verb and reverses positive or negative polarity, and the expected reply usually confirms or denies the statement.

Understanding the overall message of a spoken passage without catching every word. Focus on who is speaking, where, and what they want; details can be filled in on a second listening.

Listening to catch specific facts such as times, prices, names, or numbers. Read the question options before the audio starts so you know which information to listen for.

Writing down spoken language exactly as you hear it. It trains you to notice small but meaningful differences, such as thirteen versus thirty, or can versus can't, which often decide listening answers.

Two words that differ in only one sound, such as light and right, or ship and sheep. Entrance listening tests often test these, so practise hearing the contrast rather than guessing from context alone.

The extra force given to a syllable or word in speech. In English, stressed words usually carry the key information, so listening for stress helps you find the speaker's main point.

The rise and fall of the voice across a sentence. A rising tone often signals a yes-no question or uncertainty, while a falling tone suggests a statement or a finished thought.

Keeping verb tenses logical within a sentence or passage, for example using past tense throughout a story about last year. Sudden, unmotivated tense shifts are a frequent error in grammar questions and in writing.

A verb form used as an adjective or to build tenses, such as the -ing form or the past participle. Choosing between interesting and interested, or having finished and finishing, depends on meaning and structure.

A clause that describes a noun, introduced by who, which, that, or whose, as in the book that I bought. Check whether the clause is defining or extra information, since that affects commas and pronoun choice.

A helping verb such as be, have, do, can, or will that forms questions, negatives, and tenses. Grammar items often test which auxiliary fits a given tense or whether one is needed at all.

A pair or group of words that naturally go together, such as make a decision or heavy rain. Vocabulary questions often test collocation rather than a single word's dictionary meaning.

Information in the surrounding words that helps you guess an unknown word's meaning, such as a definition, example, or contrast. Using clues beats memorising lists because it works on unseen words.

Restating an idea in different words while keeping the meaning. Correct answer choices are usually paraphrases of the text, not exact copies, so train yourself to spot the same idea in new wording.

A short plan listing the points of a piece of writing in order before you draft. For composition tasks, a quick outline keeps your paragraph organised and prevents you from drifting off the topic.

A group of sentences about one idea, usually opening with a topic sentence and closing with a linking or concluding sentence. Clear paragraphing is part of the mark for organisation in writing tasks.

An expression such as first, in addition, or for these reasons that connects sentences and paragraphs in writing. Used well, they guide the reader; overused or misused, they weaken the essay.

The number of words a writing task requires, usually given as a minimum or a range. Going far under loses marks for content, while going far over wastes time and raises the chance of errors.

Checking your finished writing for mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word choice. Reserve a few minutes at the end of the test to reread, since small slips are the easiest marks to recover.