Kanagawa Entrance English flashcards

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

Question word first

In listening items, identify the question word (what, where, when, who, why, how) before the audio starts, because the dialogue often contains several facts and only one matches the question.

Corrected number trap

Speakers often state a number, then revise it with words like actually or instead. The answer is the final figure, not the first one heard.

Contrast signal words

Words such as but, however, actually, and in fact usually introduce the true or corrected information in a listening dialogue, so they often mark the answer.

Spatial prepositions in map tasks

Phrases like next to, across from, between, behind, and on the corner of locate places on a map; direction verbs such as turn left and go straight give the route.

Function question strategy

For questions asking what a speaker means by a line, paraphrase the line into plain meaning first, then choose the option with the same intent rather than the same words.

Pronoun reference test

To resolve it, they, this, or that, substitute each candidate noun phrase back into the sentence and check that grammar and logic both still work.

Double negative meaning

Two negatives make a positive: not uncommon means common, and I don't disagree means I agree. Mark such phrases before choosing an answer.

Invitation-condition pattern

Short dialogues often follow invitation, acceptance or refusal, then a condition such as if I finish my homework. The condition is frequently the tested point.

Passage-order detail answers

In most longer reading passages, detail questions are answered in the same order the information appears, so you can scan forward rather than restart from the top.

Main idea versus detail

A main-idea option must cover the whole passage. Reject choices that describe only one paragraph or that go beyond what the text states.

Discourse markers for insertion

However, therefore, for example, in addition, and as a result signal the logical relation between sentences, which decides where a sentence can be inserted.

Multi-condition retrieval

In timetable, notice, and table tasks, cross out any row that fails even one stated condition, then choose among the rows that satisfy all of them.

Vocabulary in context

Substitute each option into the original sentence and check grammar and surrounding logic. The most common dictionary meaning is often the wrong choice.

Present perfect restrictions

Present perfect pairs with since, for, ever, and never, and cannot be used with finished past times such as yesterday or last week.

Singular indefinite subjects

Each, every, everyone, nobody, and uncountable nouns take singular verbs; the head noun, not a following phrase, decides the verb form.

Relative pronoun choice

Use who for people, which for things, whose for possession, where for places, and when for times. Omit the pronoun only when it is the object.

Bare infinitive after perception verbs

See, hear, make, and let take an object plus a bare infinitive, as in I saw him leave and She made me wait.

Three conditionals

First: if plus present, will. Second: if plus past, would. Third: if plus had plus past participle, would have. The tense pair is fixed.

Passive transformation rule

When changing active to passive, keep the original tense, move the object to subject position, and use the correct form of be plus past participle.

Composition structure

A scored short essay needs a topic sentence stating the position, two or three supporting sentences with reasons or examples, and a closing sentence.

Answer the prompt exactly

If the prompt asks for an opinion plus two reasons, an essay missing the opinion or the reasons loses content points even when the grammar is accurate.

Cohesive device use

Use first, in addition, for example, however, and therefore to mark each logical step once. Stacking several connectors in one sentence obscures the logic.

Translation-shaped errors

Direct translation from Japanese produces errors such as I very like it, discuss about, and because paired with so. Learn the English pattern instead.

Polite request forms

Could you plus verb, and Would you mind plus -ing, are the standard polite requests. Would you like plus noun or infinitive makes an offer.

Communicative refusal

A refusal counts as communicative when it gives a reason or an alternative, as in I'd love to, but I have practice then. How about Sunday?

Summary content rules

A summary states the main idea in one sentence, compresses supporting points, and omits examples and repetition. It adds no opinion or new information.

Email register match

A reply should answer every question asked and match the original's formality, using a greeting, purpose sentence, body, closing, and signature.

Word-family gap analysis

Decide the needed part of speech from the gap's position: an article signals a noun, an adverb signals an adjective, and a subject signals a verb.

Look-alike pairs

Affect is a verb and effect a noun; advice is a noun and advise a verb; lend means give and borrow means take. These pairs are frequent distractors.

Comma splice rule

A comma cannot join two independent clauses. Use a period, a semicolon, or a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or so.

Defining versus non-defining clauses

Non-defining relative clauses are set off by commas and add extra information; defining clauses take no commas because they identify which person or thing is meant.