Korean CSAT English key terms

The central point a passage or dialogue is built around, stated or implied. Questions often ask you to choose the sentence that best captures it rather than a detail.

The overall sense of what a speaker or writer means, taken as a whole rather than word by word. Listening questions frequently ask for the gist of a short conversation.

A sentence that announces the subject of a paragraph, usually near its beginning. Locating it quickly helps you predict how the rest of the paragraph will develop.

A fact, example, or reason that backs up a broader claim in a text. Questions may ask which detail is mentioned or which one is NOT mentioned.

A conclusion you draw from clues that are not stated directly. The correct answer must follow necessarily from the text, not from personal opinion or outside knowledge.

Something a speaker or writer suggests without saying it outright. Recognizing implication is central to questions about what can be inferred from a conversation or passage.

The reason a speaker or writer produces a text, such as to persuade, warn, inform, or advertise. Questions often ask why the author wrote the passage.

The attitude a writer conveys through word choice, such as critical, sympathetic, or humorous. Tone questions require you to read emotional coloring, not just factual content.

The stance a speaker or author takes toward a subject or listener. In listening tasks, it is often revealed by stress, hesitation, or word choice rather than explicit statements.

A restatement of meaning in different words. Correct answers usually paraphrase the original text rather than repeat its exact wording, so matching identical phrases is a warning sign.

A word with a meaning close to another word. Recognizing synonym pairs lets you connect a question or answer option to the passage even when the wording differs.

A word meaning the opposite of another. Contrast signals such as 'however' or 'unlike' often introduce antonym relationships that carry the argument's key turn.

Information surrounding an unfamiliar word that helps you guess its meaning, such as a definition, example, or contrast. Vocabulary questions reward using the sentence, not just the word.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so a text reads as one unit, often through pronouns, repetition, and connectors. Coherence questions test your sense of which sentence fits a gap.

The logical flow of ideas in a text, so each sentence follows naturally from the last. Questions may ask you to choose the sentence that best fits a blank in a passage.

A word or phrase such as 'therefore', 'however', or 'in addition' that signals the logical relation between ideas. Misreading a connector often flips the meaning of an entire sentence.

A relationship showing difference between two ideas, signaled by words like 'but', 'whereas', or 'on the other hand'. Answers often hinge on distinguishing what is contrasted with what.

A relationship in which one event or condition produces another, signaled by words like 'because', 'lead to', or 'result in'. Questions may ask what consequence follows from a stated cause.

Acknowledging an opposing point before arguing against it, often with 'although' or 'admittedly'. Recognizing concession prevents you from mistaking the writer's real position for the one being granted.

A line of reasoning in which a claim is supported by evidence and reasoning. Questions may ask you to identify the claim, the evidence, or a weakness in the reasoning.

A statement the writer asserts to be true and then supports. Distinguishing a claim from a supporting fact is essential for questions about the structure of an argument.

Data, examples, or testimony offered to support a claim. Strong evidence is relevant and specific; questions may ask which piece of evidence best strengthens an argument.

A pronoun or phrase such as 'this', 'they', or 'the former' that points back to something already mentioned. Questions sometimes ask what a given pronoun refers to.

The sequence in which sentences or paragraphs are arranged to build meaning logically. Questions may ask where a given sentence best fits within a passage.

An answer option that looks plausible but is wrong, often by repeating words from the text while distorting the meaning. Learning to spot distractors improves accuracy under time pressure.

The rise and fall of a speaker's voice, which can signal a question, doubt, surprise, or emphasis. Listening questions about a speaker's feeling often depend on hearing intonation.

Extra emphasis placed on a syllable or word in speech. Shifting stress can change meaning or highlight the most important information in a sentence.

The communicative job a speaker performs with an utterance, such as apologizing, suggesting, or complaining. Listening questions often ask what the speaker is trying to do.

A conversation between two or more speakers. In listening tasks, tracking who says what and how each responds is key to answering relationship and reaction questions.

A short spoken or written message giving information to an audience, such as a schedule change or safety notice. Questions typically ask for the specific detail or the reason for it.

The group a text or speech is intended for. Identifying the audience helps you judge the appropriate register, purpose, and level of detail in a passage.

The level of formality in language, ranging from casual speech to formal writing. Register clues help you infer the relationship between speakers or the setting of a text.

A short heading that names a text's subject and often hints at its main idea. Questions may ask you to choose the best title for a passage.

A brief restatement of a text's key points without minor details. Summary questions test whether you can separate central content from supporting information.

A gap in a passage where a word, phrase, or sentence has been removed. You must choose the option that fits both the grammar and the meaning of the surrounding text.

The rules governing how words combine into sentences, including tense, agreement, and word order. Grammar questions ask you to pick the option that makes a sentence correct and natural.

The stock of words a learner knows and can use. Vocabulary questions test whether you can choose the word that fits the meaning of a sentence, not just its part of speech.

A visual display of data such as bars, lines, or percentages. Questions may ask you to describe or interpret a trend shown in a chart within a short written response.