Mie Entrance English flashcards

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

Main idea question

A question asking what the passage is mostly about. The correct answer covers the entire text, while wrong options describe only one detail or a minor example.

Distractor with absolute language

An answer option containing always, never, all, or only. Such options are usually wrong because passages rarely support absolute claims; prefer hedged options like often or some.

Vocabulary in context

A question type where you substitute each option into the original sentence and choose the one preserving both the meaning and the grammar of the surrounding text.

Pronoun reference

Identifying what it, they, this, or such refers to. The referent is normally the nearest preceding noun that agrees in number and makes logical sense in context.

Contrast signal words

However, although, but, whereas, despite, and on the other hand. They announce that the next information reverses or qualifies what came before, which is often where the answer lies.

Topic sentence position

The sentence stating a paragraph's main point. It appears most often first, sometimes last as a conclusion, and occasionally second after a general opening hook.

Skimming for structure

Reading only headings, first sentences, and proper nouns to build a mental map of a long passage before answering questions. This saves time locating specific information later.

Information retrieval constraints

For notices, timetables, and ads, an answer is correct only if every stated condition holds: date, time, price, eligibility, and location must all match simultaneously.

Sentence insertion strategy

A sentence fits a gap only if it links backward and forward: pronouns and topic words must connect to the preceding sentence, and the following sentence must continue its idea.

Author's purpose verbs

To inform, persuade, warn, advertise, entertain, or compare. Match the dominant function of the passage to the verb in the option; tone and format signal which applies.

Supported inference

A conclusion that follows necessarily from stated evidence. If an option requires outside knowledge or a guess beyond the text, it is not a valid inference answer.

Chronology markers

Words like before, after, by 2010, meanwhile, and subsequently. They determine sequence answers, which follow time logic rather than the order paragraphs appear on the page.

Subject-verb agreement rule

The verb agrees with the subject, not with nouns in intervening prepositional phrases. Each, every, everyone, and nobody take singular verbs; neither...nor agrees with the nearer subject.

Present perfect with since and for

Use present perfect (has lived) with since plus a starting point and for plus a duration. Use past simple with ago and with finished past time expressions.

Second conditional form

If plus past simple in the clause, would plus base verb in the result: If I had time, I would travel. It describes unreal or unlikely present situations.

Third conditional form

If plus had plus past participle, then would have plus past participle: If she had studied, she would have passed. It describes unreal past situations and regrets.

Article decision rule

Use a or an for first mention and one of many; the for unique or already mentioned items; no article for general plurals and abstract nouns such as education or happiness.

Affect versus effect

Affect is normally a verb meaning to influence. Effect is normally a noun meaning result. Effect as a verb means to bring about, as in effect change.

Borrow versus lend

Borrow means to take something temporarily from someone. Lend means to give something temporarily to someone. The direction of the object distinguishes the two verbs.

Adverb versus adjective form

Adjectives modify nouns and follow be, seem, or look. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. After an article or preposition, a noun is required instead.

Apology response pattern

An apology expects acceptance such as That's all right, No problem, or Don't worry about it. Options that agree with the complaint or offer advice do not fit the exchange.

Declining an invitation

A natural refusal combines a softener, an excuse, and often a future alternative: I'm afraid I can't, because I'm working, but maybe next week.

Indirect question word order

After an introductory phrase like Could you tell me or Do you know, the question keeps statement order: where the station is, not where is the station.

Politeness and modal choice

Longer, more indirect forms with modals are more polite: Could you possibly help me is politer than Can you help me, which is politer than Help me.

Service encounter scripts

Predictable exchanges in shops, restaurants, and hotels: ordering, asking for the bill, checking in, requesting directions. Learn the standard prompt-response pairs for each setting.

Essay paragraph structure

State one point per body paragraph, support it with an explanation and a concrete example, and close with a link sentence connecting back to the essay question.

Cohesion markers for essays

Firstly, moreover, in contrast, as a result, for instance, and in conclusion. Place one at each paragraph boundary to signal logical relationships between ideas.

Formal essay register

Avoid contractions, slang, and the pronoun you. Use impersonal subjects such as people, students, or one, and prefer full forms like do not over don't.

Prompt coverage check

Before writing, underline each part of the task. If the prompt asks for an opinion and two reasons, omitting one reason lowers the score regardless of fluency.

Summary content rule

A summary contains the main idea plus key supporting points in your own words. It omits examples, repetition, and asides, and runs roughly ten to fifteen percent of the source.

Paraphrase technique

Restate meaning by changing word class, reordering clauses, and substituting synonyms. Never copy a sequence of more than about three consecutive words from the source.

Note-taking symbols

Use arrows for cause and change, plus and minus for increase and decrease, and abbreviations with or w. Group notes under headings rather than writing continuous lines.

Synthesizing two sources

Organize combined information by theme, such as points of agreement and points of disagreement, rather than summarizing each source separately in turn.