LanguageCert ESOL B2 Communicator key terms

The main overall meaning or central point of a spoken or written text, understood without needing every detail. Exam tasks often ask you to choose the best summary of what a speaker or writer is really saying.

A specific piece of information such as a name, number, time, price, or reason. Listening and reading tasks frequently test whether you caught an exact fact mentioned in the passage.

A conclusion you draw from clues in the text rather than from words stated directly. The answer is not written down, but the evidence in the passage makes it the only reasonable interpretation.

An answer option or piece of information that sounds relevant but is wrong, often because it repeats a word from the recording while changing the meaning. Recognising distractors is central to multiple-choice listening and reading.

Saying the same idea with different words. Correct answers usually paraphrase the recording or text instead of copying its exact wording, so matching identical words is often a trap.

A word with a similar meaning to another, such as 'cheap' and 'inexpensive'. Exams test your ability to link synonyms across a question and the passage that answers it.

A natural word partnership that fluent speakers use, such as 'make a decision' or 'heavy rain'. Choosing the usual partner rather than a grammatically possible one shows control of English.

The level of formality suited to a situation, ranging from casual chat to formal writing. Choosing the wrong register, such as slang in a job application, lowers your mark for task achievement.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main idea. It guides the reader and helps examiners see a clear structure in your writing.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so a text flows logically. Linking words, pronouns, and repeated ideas all create cohesion, which is assessed in both writing and speaking.

A word or phrase such as 'however', 'therefore', or 'in addition' that shows the relationship between ideas. Correct use makes writing and speech easier to follow.

Showing how two things differ, often with words like 'although', 'whereas', or 'on the other hand'. B2 writing tasks commonly require you to present and contrast two views or options.

A message written in polite, standard English to someone you do not know well, such as a company or official. It avoids contractions and slang and follows conventions like a clear subject and closing.

A friendly message to someone you know, such as a friend or classmate. It can use contractions, phrasal verbs, and a relaxed tone, but still needs a clear purpose and logical order.

A short piece of writing in which you state a view on a topic and support it with reasons and examples. A clear position and organised paragraphs matter more than length.

The number of words a writing task requires, often given as a range. Staying within it matters because going far over or under can lose marks or mean your answer is not fully assessed.

How fully your answer does what the question asks, covering all required points and using an appropriate tone. A well-written answer that ignores part of the prompt still scores poorly here.

How clearly you produce sounds, stress, and intonation in speech. At B2, examiners expect understandable speech with correct word stress, even if a slight accent remains.

The stronger emphasis placed on one syllable of a word, as in 'PREsent' versus 'preSENT'. Wrong stress can confuse listeners more than a wrong individual sound.

The rise and fall of your voice across a sentence, which signals questions, lists, and feelings. Flat intonation can make even accurate English sound unclear or unfriendly.

The ability to speak at a steady pace with few long pauses, without stopping to search for every word. Some self-correction is normal at B2; constant hesitation is not.

The natural exchange of speaking roles in a conversation, including knowing when to start, yield, or interrupt politely. Speaking tests assess whether you can keep a discussion going without dominating or staying silent.

A short phrase such as 'well', 'actually', or 'on the whole' used to manage conversation and organise ideas. Using them naturally makes speech sound more fluent and native-like.

A speaking task in which you act out a situation, such as asking for information or making a complaint, with the examiner or a partner. You must respond to what is said, not just recite prepared lines.

Fixed phrases used to perform everyday purposes, such as requesting, apologising, suggesting, or complaining. Knowing these chunks lets you respond appropriately in role plays and discussions.

A longer stretch of speech by one person, such as describing a photo, telling a story, or giving an opinion. B2 candidates are expected to speak for about a minute with clear organisation.

The speaker's or writer's feeling about what they say, such as approval, doubt, or annoyance. Listening tasks often ask how someone feels, which you infer from tone and word choice.

The reason a text or recording was produced, such as to persuade, inform, warn, or entertain. Identifying purpose helps you predict content and answer questions about why something was written.

Reading quickly to find a specific piece of information, such as a date or name, without reading every word. It is a useful strategy for matching and short-answer reading tasks.

Reading quickly to get the general idea of a text, often by looking at headings, first sentences, and key words. It helps you decide whether a section is worth reading closely.

A reading task where you choose the best title for each paragraph from a list. The answer reflects the paragraph's main idea, not a single striking detail inside it.

A task where you supply a missing word or phrase in a sentence or text. Success depends on grammar, collocation, and understanding the surrounding context.

A task in which you finish a sentence using information from a text, usually within a word limit. The completed sentence must be grammatically correct and match the passage's meaning.

A question format offering several answer options, only one of which is correct. Options often include distractors that echo words from the text, so read all choices before deciding.

Writing brief key words and symbols while listening so you can answer questions afterwards. Good notes capture names, numbers, and reasons without distracting you from the audio.

A spoken phrase that signals what is coming, such as 'firstly', 'however', or 'to sum up'. Recognising these helps you follow the structure of a talk and predict information.