Tochigi Public High School Entrance Examination - English flashcards

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

Second number rule

In listening tasks, a speaker often gives one number and then corrects or changes it. The later number is normally the one the question asks about.

Paraphrase distractor rule

Wrong options often repeat exact words from the question or passage. The correct option usually expresses the same idea with different words, so match meaning, not sound.

Quarter to seven

Means 6:45. With 'to', the named hour is the next hour, so subtract from it. With 'past', the named hour has already started.

Topic sentence location

In short exam passages, the main idea usually appears in the first or last sentence. Middle sentences normally give examples, reasons, or details supporting it.

Signal words for contrast

However, but, although, and on the other hand mark a change of direction. The important information often follows these words rather than preceding them.

Pronoun reference check

For it, they, this, or one, test each earlier noun by substituting it into the sentence. Choose the noun that keeps the meaning logical, not simply the nearest one.

False versus not stated

A false option contradicts a line in the passage. A not-stated option is simply absent. Check the passage for explicit support before choosing either.

Table condition matching

In notices and timetables, check date, time, place, price, and eligibility one by one. Footnotes marked with an asterisk often contain the condition that decides the answer.

Author purpose verbs

Purpose options use verbs such as inform, persuade, explain, warn, and compare. Choose the verb that describes the whole text, not one paragraph.

Each and every agreement

Each, every, either, and neither take a singular verb even when followed by plural nouns: Every student has a card. Neither of them is here.

Boring versus bored

The -ing form describes the cause or the person causing it: The film is boring. The -ed form describes the person feeling it: I am bored.

Verbs followed by gerund

Enjoy, finish, stop, mind, avoid, and practice take the -ing form. Decide, hope, want, and plan take to plus the base verb.

Look forward to rule

The word to here is a preposition, so it is followed by a noun or an -ing form: I look forward to seeing you. Not 'to see you'.

Answering an offer

Can I help you? is an offer, so the reply accepts or refuses help: Yes, please or No, thank you. It is not answered with a fact about yourself.

Answering an apology

After I'm sorry, reply That's all right, No problem, or Never mind. You're welcome answers thanks, not an apology.

Asking for repetition

When you miss information, use Pardon?, Could you say that again?, or How do you spell it? These keep the dialogue going and fit polite exam dialogues.

Three-part opinion paragraph

State your opinion in the first sentence, give two reasons with examples in the middle, and restate the opinion in the last sentence.

Contraction word count

In word-count tasks, a contraction such as I'm or don't counts as one word. Numbers written as figures also count as one word each.

Indirect question word order

After Do you know or Could you tell me, use statement order: subject before verb. Do you know where he lives? Not 'where does he live'.

Frequency adverb position

Adverbs such as always, usually, and never go before the main verb but after the verb be: She always walks. She is always late.

Place before time order

In English, a place expression usually comes before a time expression: I play tennis in the park every Sunday. Reversing them sounds unnatural.

Relative pronoun as object

When who, which, or that is the object of the relative clause, it can be left out: the book I bought. When it is the subject, it must stay.

Silent K and W

In kn- words such as know, knife, and knee, the k is silent. In wr- words such as write, wrong, and wrist, the w is silent.

-ed pronounced /ɪd/

Verbs ending in t or d add a separate syllable: wanted, needed, decided. Other verbs end in /t/ or /d/ without an extra syllable.

-ed after voiceless sounds

The -ed ending is pronounced /t/ after voiceless sounds except t: stopped, watched, laughed, finished. After voiced sounds it is /d/.

Plural -s as /ɪz/

After s, z, sh, ch, x, and ge, the plural or third-person ending adds a syllable pronounced /ɪz/: boxes, watches, changes, buses.

Noun-verb stress shift

Two-syllable nouns usually stress the first syllable, verbs the second: REcord versus reCORD, PREsent versus preSENT.

Stress before -tion

The suffixes -tion, -sion, -ic, and -ity pull the main stress onto the syllable immediately before them: information, decision, economic, ability.

Silent H in hour

The h is silent in hour, honest, and honor. Because the first sound is a vowel, the article is an: an hour, an honest person.

Same sound different spelling

English spells one sound many ways: /iː/ appears in see, sea, piece, and key; /eɪ/ appears in name, day, eight, and they.

Passive voice formation

Passive is be plus past participle. The active object becomes the subject: Someone built the bridge becomes The bridge was built.