Yamagata 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.

Minimal pair thirteen thirty

Thirteen is stressed on the second syllable (thir-TEEN); thirty is stressed on the first (THIR-ty). In listening items, stress, not spelling, distinguishes these numbers.

Connected speech linking

In natural English, a final consonant often links to a following vowel (turn it off → tur-ni-toff). Listen for the whole phrase meaning rather than separate words.

Listening for corrected information

Dialogues often state a wrong plan first, then correct it with 'actually' or 'no, wait.' The answer usually reflects the corrected statement, not the first number or time.

Function of Could you

'Could you ~?' is a polite request for action. A suitable response agrees or explains inability; it does not answer with yes/no as if it were a factual question.

By versus until

'By 7' means no later than 7; 'until 7' means an action continues up to 7. A listening item about deadlines usually tests this contrast.

Direction prepositions

Next to means beside; across from means on the opposite side; between A and B means in the middle of two places. These phrases locate a place on a map.

Offer formula Would you like

'Would you like ~?' offers something. Accept with 'Yes, please' or decline with 'No, thank you.' It is not a request for information about likes.

Two-pass listening

Japanese entrance listening often plays each dialogue twice; first pass identifies speakers and topic, second pass confirms numbers, times, and final actions.

Main idea versus detail

A main-idea answer covers the whole passage. A detail answer is true but narrow. If an option repeats one sentence only, it is usually a detail, not the main idea.

Pronoun reference rule

It, they, this, and that usually refer to the nearest preceding noun phrase that agrees in number and makes sense with the verb. Check singular/plural before choosing.

Contrast transition however

'However' signals that the next sentence contradicts or qualifies the previous one. The correct answer often depends on recognizing this reversal.

Cause signal therefore

'Therefore' and 'so' introduce a result. The sentence before gives the cause; the sentence after gives the effect. Match cause and effect correctly.

Scanning for exact detail

For name, date, price, or quantity questions, find the exact noun first, then read the number and unit attached to it. Do not match a number to a different noun.

Inference evidence rule

An inference answer must be supported by words in the passage. If an option requires outside knowledge or a guess not tied to the text, it is usually wrong.

Absolute words in options

Options with always, never, all, or only are usually wrong unless the passage uses the same absolute word. Passages often use softer words like often, some, or may.

Paragraph topic sentence

The first sentence of an English paragraph often states the topic; the last sentence often gives a conclusion. Middle sentences supply examples, reasons, or details.

Subject-verb agreement each

Each, every, either, and neither take a singular verb: Each student has a book. Both, many, and two take a plural verb: Both students have books.

Present perfect rule

Use have/has + past participle for experience, a state continuing to now, or a past action with a present result. Do not use it with a finished past time like yesterday.

Comparative than rule

Use -er/more + adjective + than for unequal comparison: This box is heavier than that one. Use as + adjective + as for equal comparison.

Relative pronoun who which

Use who for people, which for things, and that for either in defining clauses. Use where for places and when for times after a noun.

Real conditional form

If + present tense, will + base verb shows a real future possibility: If it rains, we will stay home. The if-clause does not take will.

Gerund after enjoy finish

Enjoy, finish, stop, mind, and practice take a gerund (-ing): I enjoy reading. Want, hope, decide, and plan take to + base verb.

Say tell speak talk

Say + something; tell + someone + something; speak + a language; talk + to/with someone. Choose by the object that follows the verb.

Much many a few little

Much and a little modify uncountable nouns; many and a few modify countable plurals. Use a few for countable items and a little for uncountable amounts.

Three-point prompt response

If a writing prompt lists three points, answer all three explicitly. A response that develops only two points is incomplete even if the English is correct.

Topic sentence function

A topic sentence states the paragraph's main point. Supporting sentences give reasons or examples, and the concluding sentence restates the point without adding a new topic.

Because versus because of

'Because' is followed by a subject and verb: because it rained. 'Because of' is followed by a noun phrase: because of the rain. Mixing them is a common grammar error.

Email closing formula

A school email often ends with 'Best regards,' or 'Sincerely,' followed by a name. The greeting 'Dear Mr. Smith,' uses a comma, not a colon in British-influenced school English.

Comma before but so

When but or so joins two full clauses, put a comma before it: I studied hard, but I was nervous. Do not use a comma before that in a noun clause.

Word limit counting

Count every English word, including a, the, and contractions as one word each. If over the limit, remove unnecessary adjectives or repeated ideas before removing grammar words.

Tense consistency rule

Choose one main tense for a paragraph and keep it. Use past for a finished experience and present for opinions or general facts; avoid switching without a time signal.

Order linkers first finally

First, second, then, and finally show sequence. Use them to make steps or reasons easy to follow; do not use finally for the first item in a list.