Miyagi Entrance English key terms

The most important point a speaker or writer wants to communicate about a topic. It is broader than a detail and usually covers the whole passage or talk rather than one example in it.

A specific fact, example, reason, or number that explains or proves the main idea. Details answer questions like who, when, how much, or for what reason, and they usually appear near the point they support.

A sentence, often the first in a paragraph, that states what the paragraph is about. The rest of the paragraph develops that statement with explanation, examples, or contrast.

A conclusion you reach by combining information in the text with your own knowledge, when the writer does not state it directly. Inference questions often ask what the speaker probably thinks, feels, or will do next.

Words or phrases around an unknown word that help you guess its meaning. Clues may be a definition, an example, a contrast word such as 'but', or a cause-and-effect relationship in the same sentence.

To express the same meaning using different words, often more simply or more briefly. In reading questions, the correct answer is usually a paraphrase of a sentence in the passage, not an exact copy.

Reading quickly to find one specific piece of information, such as a time, a price, or a name, without reading every word. Your eyes move over the text looking for the shape of the target word or number.

Reading quickly to get the general sense of a text, for example by looking at titles, first sentences, and repeated words. It is used before detailed reading to predict what the passage is about.

A task in which you move facts from a passage or announcement into another form, such as a table, a schedule, a form, or a short note. Accuracy of numbers, names, and times matters more than full sentences.

Writing short keywords, symbols, and abbreviations while listening or reading so you can answer questions later. Good notes record names, numbers, reasons, and changes of topic rather than complete sentences.

Listening to understand the overall message of a conversation or announcement without catching every word. You focus on the situation, the speakers' purpose, and the general direction of the talk.

An answer choice or piece of information that sounds relevant but is wrong, often because it repeats a word from the text while changing the meaning. Noticing distractors helps you avoid choosing an answer too quickly.

A word or phrase that shows how ideas are connected, such as 'however', 'therefore', 'for example', or 'in addition'. These words tell you whether the next idea continues, contrasts with, or results from the previous one.

A word that joins words, phrases, or clauses, such as 'and', 'but', 'because', 'although', and 'so'. Choosing the right conjunction depends on whether the ideas are added, contrasted, or linked by cause.

A group of words with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone as a sentence because it begins with a word like 'when', 'if', 'that', or 'because'. It attaches to a main clause to add time, condition, or reason.

A word such as 'who', 'which', or 'that' that introduces a clause describing a noun just before it. 'Who' refers to people, 'which' to things, and 'that' can refer to either in defining clauses.

A verb form used as an adjective or to shorten a clause, such as 'running' (present participle) or 'written' (past participle). Participles help combine two ideas into one sentence smoothly.

Joining two or more short sentences into one longer sentence by using conjunctions, relative pronouns, or participles. The goal is to show the logical relationship between ideas while keeping the grammar correct.

The fixed arrangement of subject, verb, object, and modifiers in an English sentence. Japanese speakers must watch adverb placement, adjective order before nouns, and the position of question words.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number, for example 'The student plays' but 'The students play'. Long phrases between subject and verb, or words like 'every' and 'each', often cause errors.

The verb form that shows when an action happens and whether it is finished, continuing, or repeated. Key choices include present simple, present progressive, past simple, present perfect, and future forms.

A word or phrase such as 'yesterday', 'since 2020', 'already', or 'next week' that signals which tense is natural. Matching the time expression to the correct tense is a common grammar question.

The '-ing' form of a verb used as a noun, as in 'Swimming is fun' or 'I enjoy reading'. Some verbs, such as 'enjoy' and 'finish', are followed by a gerund rather than an infinitive.

The base form of a verb with 'to', as in 'to study' or 'to go'. It follows certain verbs and adjectives, expresses purpose, and appears after some nouns, but not after prepositions like 'by' or 'instead of'.

A short word such as 'in', 'on', 'at', 'by', or 'for' that links a noun to another word and shows place, time, or manner. English preposition choice is often fixed by phrase, so learning whole phrases helps.

A pair or group of words that native speakers commonly use together, such as 'make a decision', 'heavy rain', or 'take a shower'. Exams often test whether you know the natural partner word rather than a synonym.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be understood from its individual words, such as 'give up' or 'look forward to'. Idioms must be learned as whole units, and some are followed by a gerund.

A verb combined with a particle, such as 'turn on', 'put off', or 'run into', that creates a new meaning. Some are separable ('turn the light on') and some are not, so the position of the object matters.

A question or statement used to ask for something politely, such as 'Could you tell me where the station is?' or 'Would you mind opening the window?' The grammar often uses a modal plus an indirect question form.

A question inside another sentence, such as 'Do you know when the bus leaves?' The word order after the question word becomes subject plus verb, with no auxiliary 'do'.

The reply that fits the situation, the relationship between speakers, and the function of the first line, such as accepting an invitation or refusing politely. It must answer the actual question, not just repeat its words.

The language used to perform everyday actions such as apologizing, inviting, suggesting, complaining, or asking directions. Each function has typical phrases and expected replies that exam dialogues often test.

In a short composition, the opening sentence states your opinion or topic, and the following sentences give reasons or examples. A clear structure of opinion, reasons, and conclusion earns marks for organization.

A group of sentences about one idea, usually starting on a new line and beginning with an indented or clearly marked first sentence. In exam writing, short clear paragraphs are better than one long block.

A word or phrase used in writing to connect sentences and show relationships, such as 'first', 'also', 'however', and 'in conclusion'. Correct use makes a composition easier to follow and shows logical thinking.

Checking your own writing for mistakes in spelling, tense, word order, and punctuation before finishing. Reading each sentence slowly and checking subject-verb agreement catches many common errors.

A short spoken or written message giving information to many people at once, such as a school notice or station broadcast. Listen for the purpose, the time, the place, and any change from the usual schedule.