Kuwait University English Aptitude Test flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Main idea

The central claim covering an entire passage, usually stated in the introduction or conclusion. Correct answers summarize the whole text rather than one supporting detail.

Supporting detail question

A question asking for a fact explicitly stated in the passage. The answer is a paraphrase of that sentence; choices adding unstated information are wrong.

Inference question

A question requiring a conclusion that follows logically from stated facts. The correct answer needs only a small step beyond the text and no outside knowledge.

Vocabulary in context

A question about a word's meaning as used in a specific sentence. Substitute each option into the sentence and check whether grammar and logic still fit.

Author's tone

The writer's attitude revealed through evaluative words. Words like 'unfortunately' or 'remarkably' signal bias, while neutral reporting verbs indicate an objective, factual tone.

Pronoun reference

A question asking what a pronoun such as 'this' or 'they' points to. Match number and gender, then test the substitute in the sentence.

Author's purpose

Why the writer included a sentence or paragraph, such as to illustrate, contrast, or concede a point. Purpose may differ from the literal content.

EXCEPT question

A question asking which option the passage does not support. Eliminate the three choices that are stated or implied; the survivor is the answer.

Paraphrase recognition

Identifying a restatement of a passage sentence using different words. Correct answers preserve meaning exactly; wrong ones add, drop, or reverse information.

Passage organization

The structure of a text, such as cause-effect, comparison, chronology, or problem-solution. Recognizing it helps predict where specific information appears.

Transition words

Signals of logical relation: 'however' and 'yet' mark contrast, 'therefore' marks result, 'moreover' marks addition, 'for example' marks illustration.

Scanning for keywords

Locating an answer by searching the passage for a word or synonym from the question, then reading the surrounding sentence and one sentence before and after.

Subject-verb agreement

The verb matches the head noun of the subject, ignoring intervening prepositional phrases. Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.

Indefinite pronouns singular

Words such as 'each', 'every', 'either', 'neither', 'everyone', 'nobody', and 'something' take singular verbs, even when followed by a plural phrase.

The number of

Takes a singular verb because 'number' is the head noun. In contrast, 'a number of' means 'several' and takes a plural verb.

Past perfect tense

Formed with 'had' plus past participle, it marks the earlier of two past actions, or a past action completed before another past event or time.

Present perfect tense

Formed with 'have/has' plus past participle, it links a past action to the present. It cannot combine with finished past time markers like 'yesterday'.

Unreal past conditional

A hypothetical about the past using 'if' plus past perfect and 'would have' plus past participle, as in 'If she had studied, she would have passed'.

Relative pronouns

'Who' refers to people, 'which' to things, and 'whose' to possession. 'That' is preferred after superlatives and after 'all', 'only', and 'the first'.

Parallel structure

Items joined by 'and', 'or', 'not only...but also', or 'either...or' must share the same grammatical form, such as all nouns, gerunds, or infinitives.

Modal certainty

'Must have' plus past participle expresses certainty about the past; 'might have' and 'could have' express possibility; 'should have' expresses regret or unfulfilled obligation.

Collocation

The conventional pairing of words, such as 'make a decision', 'do research', and 'conduct a study'. A synonym that breaks the pairing is the wrong choice.

Gerund after prepositions

A verb following a preposition always takes the -ing form, as in 'interested in learning', 'good at solving', and 'before leaving'.

Infinitive after certain verbs

Verbs such as 'decide', 'agree', 'refuse', 'hope', and 'manage' are followed by 'to' plus the base verb, not by a gerund.

Countable and uncountable nouns

Countable nouns take 'many' and plural forms; uncountable nouns such as 'information', 'advice', 'research', and 'equipment' take 'much' and no plural -s.

Comparative and superlative forms

Short adjectives add -er and -est; longer ones use 'more' and 'most'. Never combine both, as in 'more better', which is always incorrect.

Articles a, an, the

Use 'a/an' for non-specific singular countable nouns, 'the' for specific or previously mentioned nouns, and no article for general plurals or abstract nouns.

Passive voice formation

Formed with the correct tense of 'be' plus past participle. The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive one.

Reported speech shifts

When reporting, shift present to past, 'will' to 'would', and 'can' to 'could'. Time words change, as 'today' becomes 'that day'.

Word formation suffixes

Suffixes change part of speech: '-tion' and '-ment' form nouns, '-ive' and '-ous' adjectives, '-ly' adverbs, and '-ize' verbs. Check the needed part of speech first.

Confusable word pairs

Pairs such as 'affect/effect', 'advise/advice', 'principal/principle', and 'complement/compliment' differ in part of speech or meaning and are common distractors.

Preposition of time

Use 'in' for months, years, and seasons; 'on' for days and dates; 'at' for clock times and specific points such as 'at night'.