Ishikawa Entrance English key terms

The most important point that a passage or paragraph is about. It is often stated in a topic sentence but may be implied, and every other sentence supports or explains it.

A sentence, usually at the beginning of a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main idea. The remaining sentences give details, examples, or explanations that develop that idea.

A fact, example, reason, or statistic that explains or proves the main idea. Supporting details answer questions like who, what, when, where, why, and how.

A conclusion reached by combining information in the text with background knowledge. The answer is not stated directly, but the text gives enough clues for the reader to figure it out.

Information in the words and sentences around an unfamiliar word that helps the reader guess its meaning. Clues include definitions, examples, contrasts, and cause-and-effect relationships.

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in a particular context. For example, 'big' and 'large' are synonyms, but they may not be interchangeable in every sentence.

A word that means the opposite of another word. 'Hot' and 'cold' are antonyms. Recognizing antonym clues in a sentence can help you understand an unfamiliar word.

A letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. For example, 'un-' in 'unhappy' means 'not', and 're-' in 'rewrite' means 'again'.

A letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or part of speech. For example, '-ful' in 'careful' makes an adjective, and '-ly' often makes an adverb.

The basic part of a word that carries its main meaning and cannot be divided further. Prefixes and suffixes can be added to a root to create new words, such as 'act' in 'action' and 'react'.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb, as in 'She runs' versus 'They run'.

The form of a verb that shows when an action happens: past, present, or future. English also has progressive and perfect forms, such as 'was walking' and 'has walked'.

A verb that does not form its past tense and past participle by adding '-ed'. Examples are 'go-went-gone', 'eat-ate-eaten', and 'write-wrote-written'. These forms must be memorized.

A verb form used as an adjective or to form verb tenses. The present participle ends in '-ing' (running water), and the past participle often ends in '-ed' or is irregular (a broken window).

A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence, often indicating place, time, or direction. Common examples are 'in', 'on', 'at', 'by', and 'with'.

A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses. Coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or) join equal parts, while subordinating conjunctions (because, although) introduce dependent clauses.

A determiner used before a noun to show whether it refers to something specific or general. English has the definite article 'the' and the indefinite articles 'a' and 'an'.

A group of words that contains a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause cannot and must be attached to an independent clause.

A group of related words that does not contain both a subject and a verb, so it cannot stand alone as a sentence. Examples include prepositional phrases and noun phrases.

An incomplete sentence that is missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. It may be a phrase or a dependent clause punctuated as if it were a full sentence.

Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction. A comma splice is a common type of run-on sentence where only a comma separates the clauses.

A group of sentences about one main idea, usually beginning with a topic sentence and ending with a concluding sentence. Paragraphs are indented or separated by a blank line.

A word or phrase that shows the relationship between ideas and helps the reader follow the flow of a paragraph or essay. Examples are 'however', 'therefore', 'for example', and 'in addition'.

A sentence that states the main argument or purpose of an essay, usually appearing at the end of the introduction. It guides the structure of the entire essay.

A plan for writing that lists the main points and supporting details in order before drafting. It helps organize ideas logically and ensures that each paragraph supports the thesis.

The subject of a piece of writing, discussion, or passage. The topic is broader than the main idea; it tells what the text is about, while the main idea tells what the writer says about it.

The reason a writer creates a text: to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Recognizing the purpose helps the reader understand why certain details and language are used.

The writer's attitude toward the subject or audience, revealed through word choice and details. Tone can be serious, humorous, critical, friendly, or neutral, and it affects how the reader feels.

Listening to understand the general meaning or main point of a spoken passage without focusing on every word. It helps you answer questions about what the speaker is mainly saying.

Listening carefully to catch specific information such as names, numbers, times, or reasons. It usually requires focusing on particular parts of the recording rather than the whole message.

Writing down key points, words, or numbers while listening or reading to help remember information. Good notes use abbreviations and structure to capture main ideas and supporting details quickly.

To express the meaning of a text or speech in different words, often to clarify or summarize it. A good paraphrase keeps the original meaning but changes the wording and sentence structure.

A short statement that gives only the main points of a text or speech. It leaves out minor details and examples and is written in the writer's own words.

The quality of being logical and well organized so that ideas connect clearly. In writing, coherence is achieved through clear paragraph structure, transitions, and a consistent focus on the main idea.

The stage of writing in which you check and correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word choice. Editing comes after revising for content and organization.

The stage of writing in which you improve the content and organization of a draft. You may add, remove, or reorder ideas, clarify the thesis, and strengthen transitions before editing.

The marks used in writing to separate sentences and clarify meaning, such as periods, commas, question marks, and quotation marks. Correct punctuation helps readers understand the structure of sentences.