Tottori Prefectural Public High School Entrance Examination - English flashcards

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

teen vs -ty stress

In numbers like thirteen/thirty, -teen is stressed and longer; -ty is unstressed and shorter. Use context and answer choices to decide.

Discourse marker 'actually'

Signals correction or contrast with a previous expectation; the answer often follows, so treat it as a cue to update your prediction.

Time calculation cue 'later'

Expressions like 'an hour later' or 'ten minutes after that' require adding to the stated time; write the starting time before computing.

Listening preview strategy

During instructions, scan answer choices for differences in who, when, where, or how much; this predicts what to listen for.

Polite refusal cue

A polite refusal; the reason after 'but' answers why the speaker cannot accept, not agreement. Do not mark it as acceptance.

Direction task tracking

Mark the start point and each turn in order (left/right, past/next to). Do not reorient the map unless the speaker says 'you are now facing'.

Pronoun referent question

Look at the sentence before the pronoun; match number and meaning. It/they usually refers to the nearest suitable noun phrase.

Main idea placement

The main idea often appears in the first or last paragraph; confirm with a key term repeated across the passage.

True/false absolute words

Choices with all, never, only, must are usually wrong unless the passage states them exactly; prefer hedged choices.

Unknown word from context

Read the sentence before and after; use examples, definitions, or contrast signals like 'but' to infer meaning.

Passage order rule

Questions usually follow the passage order; answer the first question before searching later, saving time.

Inference support rule

A correct inference must be supported by stated evidence; outside knowledge or personal opinion is not enough.

Table and graph reading

Read the title, units, and legend first; compare the same category across groups rather than reading every number.

Present perfect with since

Use since + starting point (since 2020) and for + duration (for three years) with have/has + past participle.

Indirect question word order

In 'Do you know where he lives?', the embedded question uses statement order: subject + verb, not does/did.

Although cannot pair with but

Use either 'Although it rained, we went' or 'It rained, but we went'; combining although and but in one sentence is incorrect.

Gerund after enjoy

Verbs like enjoy, finish, practice, and look forward to take a gerund (-ing), not an infinitive.

Relative pronoun who vs which

Use who for people and which for things; that can replace either in defining clauses, but not after a comma.

Much vs many

Use many with countable plural nouns and much with uncountable nouns; a few pairs with countables, a little with uncountables.

Passive form

Passive = be (tense) + past participle; the doer follows by if needed. The object becomes the subject.

Subject-verb agreement trick

Find the true subject, not the noun next to the verb. Phrases like 'one of the students' take a singular verb.

Content point sentence rule

Turn each required content point into one clear sentence before adding extra detail; missing a point loses more than a grammar slip.

Opinion paragraph formula

State opinion, give one reason, add one example, then restate in a concluding sentence. Keep each sentence short.

Linking words for sequence

Use first, next, then, finally for steps; use however for contrast and so for result. Do not begin every sentence with and.

Word count check

Count each English word as one; contractions like don't count as one. Stay within the limit by cutting adjectives, not content points.

Email format basics

Include a greeting (Dear Mr. Brown), a clear purpose, a closing (Best regards), and your name. Match formal tone.

Common literal translation error

Avoid 'I want to go to there' or 'I am interesting in'; use 'I want to go there' and 'I am interested in'.

Invitation decline formula

Decline with thanks, a reason, and an alternative: 'I'd love to, but I have a game. How about next Sunday?'

Apology repair formula

Apologize, explain briefly, and offer a fix: 'I'm sorry I'm late. The bus was delayed. I'll stay longer.'

Request politeness shift

Use 'Could you...?' or 'Would you mind...?' with strangers or teachers; 'Can you...?' is fine with close friends.

Conversation repair phrase

When you miss words, say 'Pardon?' or 'Could you say that again?' Do not answer a question you did not hear.

Agreeing with reservation

Use 'I see your point, but...' to disagree politely; it acknowledges the other speaker before giving a reason.