Kiribati KCSE / KSCE key terms

A conclusion a reader draws from clues in a text combined with what they already know, even though the writer does not state it directly. Comprehension papers often ask what a passage suggests rather than what it says.

The sentence, usually the first in a paragraph, that states that paragraph's main point. The remaining sentences explain, illustrate or support it, so a clear topic sentence helps an examiner follow your argument.

Words used in a non-literal way to create pictures or comparisons, such as simile, metaphor and personification. In comprehension and composition you are expected to name the device and explain its effect on the reader.

The level of formality in language chosen to suit a particular audience and situation, for example a formal letter to a head teacher compared with a friendly note to a friend. Register covers word choice, sentence style and politeness.

Writing a number or expression as a product of factors, for example 12 = 2 × 2 × 3, or x² − 9 = (x + 3)(x − 3). It is used to solve quadratic equations and simplify algebraic fractions.

The rule that in a right-angled triangle the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides, written a² + b² = c². It is used to find unknown lengths and distances.

A number between 0 and 1 measuring how likely an event is, found for equally likely outcomes by dividing favourable outcomes by total outcomes. The probabilities of all possible outcomes add up to 1.

The meaningful digits in a measurement or calculated answer, counted from the first non-zero digit. Answers are rounded to a stated number of significant figures, so 0.00456 has three and 12.30 has four.

Two or more equations that must be true at the same time, solved by finding values satisfying all of them. Common methods are elimination and substitution, and the solution can be shown graphically as an intersection point.

The process by which green plants use light energy to combine carbon dioxide and water into glucose, releasing oxygen. Chlorophyll in chloroplasts traps the light, and surplus glucose is often stored as starch.

The movement of water molecules through a partially permeable membrane from a dilute solution to a more concentrated one. It explains water uptake by plant roots and why cells shrivel in strong salt or sugar solutions.

A protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living organism without being used up itself. Each enzyme works best at a particular temperature and pH and is denatured, losing shape and function, by heat.

The release of energy from glucose in cells using oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water. It supplies energy for muscle contraction, growth and active transport, and takes place mainly in the mitochondria.

The amount of substance containing as many particles as there are atoms in 12 g of carbon-12, about 6.02 × 10²³ particles. Chemists use it to link mass, concentration and gas volume in calculations.

The combining power of an element, equal to the number of electrons an atom gains, loses or shares when it forms bonds. Valency is used to write correct formulae such as NaCl and H₂O.

The reaction between an acid and a base that produces a salt and water. For example, hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide gives sodium chloride and water; the reaction is used to treat acid spills and soil acidity.

The breakdown of a compound by passing an electric current through it while molten or dissolved. It is used to extract reactive metals such as aluminium and to coat objects with a thin layer of another metal.

The rate at which velocity changes, measured in metres per second squared. An object accelerates when it speeds up, slows down or changes direction, so a car going round a bend at steady speed is still accelerating.

The rule that the current through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage across it when temperature stays constant, giving V = IR. Resistance is measured in ohms and opposes current flow.

The bending of light as it passes from one transparent material into another, caused by a change in its speed. It makes a stick look bent in water and is the principle behind lenses and prisms.

The mass of a substance per unit volume, calculated by dividing mass by volume. A dense object sinks in a less dense fluid, and fresh water has a density of about 1 g/cm³.

Evidence produced at the time of an event by someone involved in it, such as a letter, photograph, official record or eye-witness account. Historians value primary sources but still check them for bias.

Conditions that drive people away from a place, such as drought or unemployment (push), and conditions that attract them elsewhere, such as jobs or safety (pull). Together they explain patterns of migration.

A territory controlled and protected by a stronger state while keeping its own ruler and some local government. The Gilbert Islands were declared a British protectorate in 1892 and were later governed as a colony.

A ring-shaped coral reef enclosing a shallow lagoon, formed on the rim of a sunken volcano. Most Kiribati land consists of narrow atoll islets only a few metres above sea level.

The traditional Kiribati meeting house, with a thatched roof on wooden posts and a raised platform at one end. It is the centre of community decisions, welcome ceremonies, dance and discussion.

An elder, usually a senior man, whose experience gives him authority in family and village matters. The unimwane sit together in the maneaba and guide decisions, often working towards consensus.

A Kiribati way of asking for something politely and directly, carrying an expectation that a relative or neighbour will help if they can. It supports sharing, though repeated requests can strain a household.

Something forbidden, sacred or set aside by custom or rule, such as a protected fishing area or a place of spiritual importance. Breaking tabu is believed to bring misfortune as well as social disapproval.

A traditional Kiribati story or tale told to entertain and teach, often featuring legends, animals or a moral lesson. Karaki pass on values, history and language to younger listeners.

The value of the next best alternative given up when a choice is made, for example the income lost by staying at school. It exists because resources are limited while wants are unlimited.

The principle that, other things being equal, buyers purchase more of a good when its price falls and less when its price rises. It produces the downward-sloping demand curve used in price analysis.

A system in which every transaction is recorded twice, as a debit in one account and an equal credit in another. It keeps the accounting equation balanced and allows a trial balance to be extracted.

A financial statement listing a business's assets, liabilities and owner's equity on one particular date. Assets should equal liabilities plus equity, showing what the business owns and what it owes.

Something of value owned by a business or person, or owed to them, such as cash, stock, equipment or money due from customers. Assets may be current, like stock, or non-current, like land.

Decayed plant and kitchen waste used to improve soil by adding nutrients and helping it hold water. Composting recycles waste instead of burning it, which suits smallholder farming on thin coral soils.

The practice of growing different crops in a field in a planned order over several seasons. It helps control pests and diseases and prevents particular nutrients being exhausted, especially when legumes are included.

The wearing away and removal of topsoil by wind or water. It reduces fertility, and on cleared or sloping land it can be slowed by cover crops, mulching, contour planting and tree belts.

The loss of water vapour from plant leaves through tiny openings called stomata. It pulls water and dissolved minerals up from the roots and cools the plant on hot days.

The dried flesh of the coconut, the main cash crop for many Kiribati families. It is produced by husking, cracking, drying and bagging the nuts, then sold for oil extraction.