Yamanashi Entrance English key terms

The single most important point a passage or talk makes. It is broader than any one detail and is usually stated in the first or last sentence, or must be inferred from the whole.

A specific fact, example, number, or reason that explains or proves the main idea. Questions often ask which detail is stated or which one is NOT mentioned.

A conclusion a reader draws from clues in the text rather than from a directly stated sentence. The answer must be supported by evidence in the passage, not by personal opinion.

Reading quickly with the eyes moving over the text to locate one specific piece of information, such as a name, date, or price, without reading every word.

Reading rapidly for the general sense of a passage, often by looking at titles, first sentences, and headings. It is used before detailed reading to build a mental map.

A pronoun or short phrase such as it, they, this, or the former that points back to something already mentioned. Tracking what it refers to is essential for understanding long sentences.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so a text reads as one unit. It is created by pronouns, repeated key words, and linking words like however, therefore, and in addition.

A word or phrase that signals the logical relation between ideas, such as contrast (however, although), addition (moreover), cause (because), or result (therefore). Choosing the right one is a common test item.

Information in the surrounding words or sentences that helps a reader guess the meaning of an unknown word, such as a definition, an example, a contrast, or a cause-and-effect relation.

Choosing the meaning or form of a word based on how it is used in a particular sentence, since a familiar word may have a less common sense or need a different part of speech.

The grammatical shape of a word, such as noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. Test items often require choosing the correct form, for example deciding between success, successful, and successfully.

The grammatical category a word belongs to, such as noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, or conjunction. Identifying it helps decide which blank-filling option fits the sentence structure.

The verb form that shows when an action happens relative to the moment of speaking, such as present, past, or future. Consistency of tense across a passage is a frequent grammar point.

The verb form that shows how an action is viewed in time, such as simple, progressive (ongoing), or perfect (completed before a point). It combines with tense, as in has been studying.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. Long subjects, collective nouns, and phrases between subject and verb are common traps in test sentences.

A sentence pattern in which the receiver of the action becomes the subject, formed with be plus the past participle, as in The letter was written by Ken. It is used when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

A verb form used as an adjective or in a larger verb phrase. The present participle ends in -ing and the past participle usually ends in -ed or is irregular, as in a broken window.

A clause that describes a noun and begins with a relative pronoun such as who, which, that, or whose. It can be defining, giving essential information, or non-defining, set off by commas.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause cannot and must be attached to a main clause.

A word that joins words, phrases, or clauses, such as and, but, or, because, although, and while. The choice depends on whether the relation is addition, contrast, reason, or condition.

A short word such as in, on, at, by, for, or with that shows the relation between a noun and another element, often place, time, or manner. Fixed combinations with verbs and adjectives must be memorized.

A pair or group of words that native speakers naturally use together, such as make a decision, take part in, or heavily influenced. Wrong partners sound unnatural even when the grammar is correct.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words, such as break the ice or under the weather. Idioms are usually tested in short dialogues and vocabulary sections.

A verb combined with an adverb or preposition that creates a new meaning, such as give up, look after, or turn down. Some are separable and some are not, which affects word order.

Understanding the overall purpose or topic of a spoken passage without catching every word. It answers questions like what the speakers are mainly talking about or why the person is calling.

Catching specific information in speech, such as times, prices, names, or reasons. It requires predicting what kind of information to listen for before the audio begins.

Writing brief keywords, numbers, and symbols while listening so answers can be checked later. Effective notes focus on content words and skip grammar words that carry little information.

Saying or writing the same meaning with different words. Correct answer options in listening and reading sections are usually paraphrases of the audio or passage, not exact copies.

A word with a meaning close to another word, such as begin and start. Recognizing synonyms lets a candidate match a question option to a passage that uses different wording.

A word with the opposite meaning of another word, such as increase and decrease. Antonyms often appear in contrast clues that reveal the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

The writer's or speaker's attitude toward the subject, for example humorous, critical, sympathetic, or neutral. Tone is shown by word choice and is often asked about in reading passages.

The reason a text or speech was produced, such as to inform, persuade, warn, apologize, or invite. Purpose questions ask why the author wrote or the speaker said something.

Language used appropriately for a specific setting, such as a shop, station, classroom, or hospital. It includes set phrases for requesting, offering, apologizing, and asking for directions.

Choosing the response that best fits the previous line of a short conversation. The correct option must match both the meaning and the register, such as formal or casual speech.

The use of indirect or softened language to show respect, such as Could you possibly...? or I'm afraid... rather than a direct command. Politeness level must match the relationship between speakers.

The level of formality in language, ranging from casual talk with friends to formal writing in a report. A response can be grammatically correct yet wrong if the register does not fit the situation.

The sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that states the paragraph's central point. It guides the reader and should be followed by explanation or examples.

A group of sentences about one idea, marked by an indentation or a blank line. A clear paragraph opens with a topic sentence, gives support, and closes with a link to the next idea.

A short plan listing the main points of a piece of writing in order before drafting. It helps keep the composition organized and prevents repetition or missing content.

A single sentence that states the main claim or position of a whole essay. Everything else in the writing should support it, and it usually appears at the end of the introduction.

Restating the key points of a text in your own words and in a much shorter form, without adding opinion. It should keep the original order of ideas and leave out examples and repetition.

A task in which a candidate reads a passage and then writes a response that uses information from it, often combined with a related opinion or a comparison with another source.

The number of words a composition must contain, often given as a range such as 80 to 100 words. Being far under or over the limit can lose marks, so plan before writing.

Dividing limited exam minutes among planning, writing, and checking. A common approach is to spend a few minutes on an outline, most of the time on drafting, and the last minutes on proofreading.

Reading your own writing again to find and fix errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word choice. Checking subject-verb agreement and tense consistency catches many common mistakes.