Tokyo Metropolitan Public High School Entrance Examination - English key terms

The most important point a whole passage or talk is making, not a small supporting fact. Questions often ask what the passage is mainly about or what the writer most wants to say.

A sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that states what the paragraph is about. Finding it quickly helps you predict the rest of the paragraph's content.

A fact, example, reason, or number that explains or proves the main idea. Detail questions ask you to locate one specific piece of information rather than the overall point.

A conclusion you draw from clues in the text that are not stated directly. The answer must be supported by the passage, so avoid choices based only on your own opinion or general knowledge.

Reading quickly to find one specific piece of information, such as a time, price, or name, without reading every word. Useful for notices, timetables, and chart questions.

Reading quickly to get the general sense of a passage before answering questions. You look at titles, first sentences, and repeated words rather than details.

Information in the surrounding sentence or paragraph that helps you guess the meaning of an unknown word. Contrasts, examples, and definitions nearby are common types of clues.

The same meaning expressed with different words. Correct answer choices are usually paraphrases of the passage, not exact copies, so match meaning rather than identical wording.

A pronoun or short phrase such as it, they, this, or the former that points back to something already mentioned. Questions often ask what such a word refers to.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so a text reads as one whole. Linking words, repeated vocabulary, and pronouns all create cohesion and help you follow the writer's logic.

A word or phrase such as however, therefore, in addition, or on the other hand that shows the relationship between ideas. Recognising it tells you whether the next idea contrasts, adds, or gives a result.

A relationship in which two ideas differ. Signal words include but, however, although, and unlike; exam questions often test whether you noticed a change of direction in the argument.

A relationship in which one thing makes another happen. Signal words include because, so, therefore, and as a result; questions may ask why something happened or what consequence followed.

The reason the writer produced the text, such as to inform, persuade, warn, invite, or apologise. Identifying the purpose helps you reject choices that do not fit the type of text.

The people the text is written for, for example students, parents, customers, or club members. The audience explains choices of politeness level, formality, and amount of explanation.

The feeling or attitude shown by the writer's words, such as friendly, worried, formal, or humorous. Tone questions ask how the writer sounds rather than what facts are given.

The form of a verb that shows when an action happens, such as present, past, or future. In grammar questions, check time words and the surrounding sentences to choose the correct tense.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number, for example she goes but they go. Long phrases between the subject and verb often hide the real subject in exam sentences.

The arrangement of words in a sentence, especially the order of subject, verb, and object, or the position of adverbs. Japanese learners often need to reorder English words in sentence-building questions.

A verb form used as an adjective or in a phrase, such as the -ing form or the past participle. Participles often appear in reduced clauses like the girl standing there or a letter written in English.

A word such as who, which, or that that introduces a clause describing a noun. Questions may ask you to join two sentences or choose the correct pronoun for a person or thing.

An -ing verb form used as a noun, as in Reading is fun or I enjoy swimming. Certain verbs, such as enjoy, finish, and stop, are followed by a gerund rather than an infinitive.

The base form of a verb with to, as in to go or to study. It can follow verbs like want and decide, express purpose, or complete patterns such as too tired to walk.

A sentence pattern in which the subject receives the action, formed with be plus the past participle, as in The window was broken. Used when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

Forms used to compare two or more things, such as bigger, more interesting, the biggest, and the most useful. Watch irregular forms like better, best, worse, and worst.

Words that naturally go together in English, such as take a bath, make a decision, or heavy rain. Vocabulary questions often test which partner word sounds natural rather than which is grammatically possible.

A verb combined with a particle that creates a new meaning, such as give up, look after, or turn down. The meaning usually cannot be guessed from the separate words.

Word parts added to the beginning or end of a base word to change meaning or part of speech, such as un-, re-, -less, and -ment. Knowing them helps you guess unfamiliar words.

A short public message giving information, rules, or a warning, often with a heading and bullet points. Read who it is for, where and when it applies, and any condition or exception.

A table or graph that presents numbers or categories visually. Practical questions ask you to read values, compare items, or combine the chart with information given in the text.

The usual parts of an email: greeting, opening line, body, closing request, and sign-off. Knowing the pattern helps you find who wrote to whom, why, and what response is expected.

A composition task in which you write your own opinion or experience within a word limit. Clear structure, a stated opinion with reasons, and correct basic grammar matter more than difficult vocabulary.

Understanding the overall message of a spoken passage before worrying about every word. Knowing the situation and speakers helps you predict content and ignore unfamiliar vocabulary.

Catching specific spoken information such as times, prices, places, or numbers. Numbers, days, and similar-sounding words are common traps, so note them as you listen.

A spoken phrase such as well, by the way, actually, or so that guides the listener through a conversation. It signals a change of topic, a correction, or a return to the main point.