ORT English key terms

The most important point a passage or talk communicates about its topic. It is broader than a detail because the whole text supports it, and it is usually stated in a single sentence.

A fact, example, reason, or statistic that explains or proves the main idea. Details answer questions like who, what, when, where, and how much, and they can usually be located directly in the text.

A conclusion a reader draws from evidence in a text without the author stating it directly. Correct inferences must be supported by clues in the passage rather than by personal opinion or outside knowledge.

A sentence, often the first in a paragraph, that announces what the paragraph is about. It controls the rest of the paragraph, and the remaining sentences develop or illustrate its claim.

To read quickly for a general impression of a text, looking at headings, first sentences, and key words. Skimming helps you predict content and decide whether a passage deserves a slower, closer reading.

To move the eyes rapidly over a text looking for one specific piece of information, such as a date, name, or number. You do not read every word when scanning.

Information in the surrounding words or sentences that helps you work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Clues include definitions, examples, contrasts, and the general sense of the sentence.

The attitude an author expresses toward the subject, such as humorous, critical, neutral, or sympathetic. Tone is revealed through word choice, sentence structure, and the kinds of examples chosen.

A pronoun or phrase such as it, they, this, or the former that points back to something already mentioned. Understanding what a reference word stands for is essential for tracking meaning across sentences.

The overall meaning or general sense of a spoken or written text, as opposed to its exact wording. Listening or reading for gist means focusing on the whole message rather than on individual words.

Listening with the aim of catching specific facts such as times, prices, names, or instructions. It usually follows a first listening for gist and requires attention to numbers, spelling, and small words.

A word or phrase in a listening text or question option that sounds relevant but is not the correct answer. Distractors often appear because a speaker mentions an option before rejecting or correcting it.

To express the same meaning using different words. In listening and reading tests, the correct answer is often a paraphrase of what the speaker said rather than an exact repetition.

A word or phrase that signals the direction of a talk, such as firstly, however, in conclusion, or on the other hand. Signpost words help listeners follow structure and predict what comes next.

Writing brief, selective notes while listening so you can answer questions afterwards. Effective notes use abbreviations, symbols, and layout to record key points rather than full sentences.

The extra force placed on one syllable of a word or one word within a sentence. Stress changes meaning and helps listeners identify the most important information in an utterance.

The rise and fall of the voice across a phrase or sentence. Intonation signals questions, lists, feelings, and emphasis, so misreading it can lead a listener to the wrong meaning.

The way pronunciation varies according to region or social group. Test takers may hear several accents, so they should focus on the message rather than expecting one standard voice.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, as in she works versus they work. Errors often occur with collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and phrases between subject and verb.

The grammatical form of a verb that locates an action or state in time, such as past, present, or future. Tense combines with aspect, as in has finished or was finishing, to show how an action unfolds.

A helping verb such as can, must, should, or might that expresses ability, obligation, possibility, or permission. Modals are followed by a bare infinitive and do not take -s in the third person.

A sentence structure showing that one situation depends on another, typically using if. First, second, and third conditionals differ in how real or hypothetical the condition is and in which tenses they use.

A pair or group of words that habitually occur together, such as make a decision or heavy rain. Collocations sound natural to native speakers, and choosing the wrong partner word is a common error.

A verb combined with an adverb or preposition that creates a new meaning, such as give up or look after. Some are separable, allowing the object between verb and particle, and others are not.

A word with a meaning similar to another word, such as begin and start. Synonyms are rarely identical in use, so register, collocation, and connotation must be checked before substituting one.

A word with an opposite meaning to another word, such as generous and mean. Antonyms can be graded, like hot and cold, or absolute, like dead and alive.

The emotional or cultural association a word carries beyond its literal meaning. For example, slim sounds positive while skinny may sound negative, even though both describe low body weight.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as break the ice. Idioms are learned as whole units and often have a formal equivalent.

A noun that can be counted and therefore has singular and plural forms, such as chair and chairs. Countable nouns take articles and can follow numbers, unlike mass nouns such as furniture or advice.

A determiner placed before a noun: the definite the or the indefinite a and an. Choice depends on whether the listener knows which item is meant and on whether the noun is countable.

A word or phrase that links ideas and shows their relationship, such as because, although, therefore, or in addition. Connectors make writing coherent and signal contrast, cause, result, or sequence.

The way sentences and paragraphs are held together through linking words, pronouns, and repeated ideas. A cohesive text flows smoothly so the reader can follow the argument without effort.

A sentence, usually near the start of an essay, that states the central claim the essay will develop. A strong thesis is specific and arguable rather than a simple statement of fact.

A group of sentences developing one idea, usually marked by indentation or a line break. An effective paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting detail, and a link to what follows.

The level of formality appropriate to a situation, ranging from casual speech to formal academic writing. Register affects word choice, contractions, and sentence complexity, and must suit the intended reader.

Reviewing a draft to correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word choice. Editing comes after revising for content and organization, and it focuses on accuracy rather than new ideas.

The ability to speak or write smoothly at a reasonable speed without excessive hesitation. Fluency involves automatic use of language and is assessed separately from accuracy in speaking tests.

The way words are spoken, including individual sounds, word stress, and connected speech. Clear pronunciation matters more than native-like accent because listeners must be able to understand the message.

The system by which speakers in a conversation decide who speaks next, using pauses, intonation, and signals. Skilled turn-taking means knowing when to interrupt politely and when to yield the floor.

A short spoken phrase such as well, actually, you know, or on the whole that organizes talk and manages the listener's expectations. Markers add natural flow but carry little content on their own.