Kumamoto Entrance English key terms

The central point that a whole passage communicates, usually stated in one sentence. A reader must separate it from supporting details and examples before answering summary or title questions.

A fact, example, or reason that explains or proves the main idea of a passage. Detail questions often ask which statement is true or which point is mentioned in a specific paragraph.

A conclusion a reader draws from clues in the text rather than from a stated sentence. Inferred answers must be logically supported by the passage, not merely plausible in real life.

The reason a writer produces a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or warn. Purpose questions ask why the author wrote the passage or why a particular paragraph was included.

The attitude a writer expresses toward the subject, for example critical, humorous, neutral, or sympathetic. Tone is revealed through word choice and sentence style rather than stated directly.

A pronoun or phrase that points back to an earlier word or idea, such as 'it', 'this', or 'the former'. Reference questions ask what a highlighted expression refers to in the passage.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so a text reads as one connected whole. Linking words, repeated key words, and pronouns all create cohesion, which helps readers follow the flow of ideas.

Reading quickly to locate one specific piece of information, such as a date, name, or number, without reading every word. It is an efficient strategy for detail questions in timed reading sections.

Reading rapidly for the general sense of a passage, often by looking at headings, first sentences, and key words. It helps a candidate predict content and grasp the main idea before detailed reading.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, as in 'she writes' versus 'they write'. Errors often appear when words separate the subject from the verb or with collective nouns.

Keeping verb tenses logical and stable within a sentence or passage, shifting only when the time frame changes. Unnecessary shifts between past and present are a common error in grammar questions and student writing.

A verb form used as an adjective or in a compound tense, such as 'broken' in 'a broken window' or 'running' in 'the running water'. Participles can also introduce reduced clauses like 'Having finished, she left.'

A verb form ending in '-ing' that functions as a noun, as in 'Swimming is healthy' or 'I enjoy reading'. Some verbs take a gerund object while others take an infinitive, so the choice must be memorized.

The base form of a verb preceded by 'to', as in 'to run' or 'to be'. It can act as a noun, adjective, or adverb, and it follows certain verbs such as 'decide' and 'hope'.

A clause that describes a noun and begins with a relative pronoun such as 'who', 'which', or 'that'. The choice of pronoun depends on whether the noun is a person or thing and whether the clause is restrictive.

A clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence because it begins with a conjunction such as 'because', 'although', or 'when'. It attaches to a main clause to add reason, contrast, time, or condition.

A sentence expressing a condition and its result, such as 'If it rains, we will stay home.' Real, unreal, and past-unreal conditionals each require a specific pairing of tenses and modal verbs.

A verb form used for wishes, demands, and hypothetical situations, as in 'I wish I were taller' or 'She insisted that he be present.' It often uses the base form of the verb regardless of subject.

A helping verb such as 'can', 'must', 'should', or 'may' that expresses ability, obligation, permission, or possibility. Modals are followed by the base form and do not take '-s' in the third person.

A sentence structure in which the subject receives the action, formed with 'be' plus a past participle, as in 'The letter was written by Tom.' It is used when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

A verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning, such as 'make', 'discuss', or 'reach'. Only transitive verbs can normally be made passive in English.

A word such as 'in', 'on', 'at', or 'by' that shows the relationship between a noun and another element, often place, time, or manner. Fixed combinations with verbs and adjectives must be learned as units.

A natural word partnership that native speakers use together, such as 'make a decision' or 'heavy rain'. Choosing the wrong partner, like 'do a decision', is a frequent vocabulary error in multiple-choice items.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be understood from its individual words, such as 'break the ice' or 'under the weather'. Idioms must be learned as whole units and are common in short conversation items.

The feeling or association a word carries beyond its literal meaning, such as the negative shade of 'stubborn' compared with 'determined'. Word-choice questions often test this emotional coloring.

A word with a meaning close to another word, such as 'begin' and 'start'. True synonyms are rare, so context decides which one fits a sentence naturally and accurately.

A word with an opposite meaning to another word, such as 'generous' and 'selfish'. Antonym items test whether a candidate understands contrast relationships inside a sentence or short passage.

Information in surrounding words or sentences that helps a reader guess an unknown word's meaning. Examples, definitions, contrasts, and cause-and-effect signals all serve as context clues.

A noun that can be counted and takes a plural form, such as 'book' or 'idea'. Countable nouns use 'a' or 'an' in the singular and 'many' or 'few' in questions and negatives.

A noun with no plural form that is treated as a mass, such as 'information', 'advice', or 'furniture'. It takes a singular verb and pairs with 'much' or 'a little' rather than 'many'.

The determiner 'a', 'an', or 'the' used before a noun. 'A' and 'an' introduce a non-specific singular countable noun, while 'the' marks something already known or unique.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main point. A clear topic sentence guides the reader and keeps the rest of the paragraph focused on one idea.

The quality of a paragraph in which every sentence supports one controlling idea. Sentences that drift to unrelated points break unity and weaken the writing, a common target in composition scoring.

A word or phrase such as 'however', 'therefore', or 'in addition' that shows the logical link between ideas. Good transitions make the direction of an argument clear to the reader.

A sentence that states the central claim of an essay and usually appears near the end of the introduction. It tells the reader what the essay will argue and how the body will be organized.

A brief plan listing the main points and their order before writing. It helps a writer check that ideas progress logically and that each paragraph has a clear role in the essay.

Restating a source's idea in your own words while keeping the meaning. It shows understanding and is used in summary writing, but the source still needs to be credited.

A short account of a text's main points, leaving out examples and minor details. A good summary keeps the original order of ideas and uses the writer's own words.

Translating word by word without adjusting for the target language's grammar or idiom. It often produces unnatural or unclear sentences, so the meaning rather than the wording must be carried across.

Listening to catch the overall meaning of a passage without stopping at every unfamiliar word. It is the first step before answering detail questions about a recorded conversation or announcement.

Listening with attention to specific information such as times, prices, names, or reasons. Recognizing numbers and spelled-out words quickly is essential because the recording is usually played only once.