AUB-EN - AUB English Entrance Examination key terms

A conclusion drawn from evidence in a text rather than stated directly. Readers combine clues, context, and logic to work out meaning the writer implies but never says outright.

A meaning suggested indirectly by a word, sentence, or passage. It is not stated plainly, so the reader must infer it from tone, word choice, or surrounding context.

The central point a paragraph or passage is built to convey. Every supporting detail should relate to it, and it is usually broader than any single example or fact.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that announces the paragraph's controlling idea. The remaining sentences develop, illustrate, or qualify that idea with evidence and explanation.

A single sentence in an essay that states the writer's central claim and the direction of the argument. It should be specific and arguable, not a bare statement of fact.

The quality that makes a text hold together logically, so each sentence follows from the last. Linking words, consistent pronouns, and repeated key ideas help readers track the argument.

The way sentences are tied together at the surface level through grammar and vocabulary. Devices include pronouns, synonyms, ellipsis, and transition words that connect one clause to another.

A word or phrase that signals the relationship between ideas, such as contrast, addition, cause, or sequence. Examples include however, moreover, therefore, and meanwhile.

The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. For instance, thrifty sounds approving while stingy sounds critical, though both describe careful spending.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, stripped of emotional associations. It is the neutral core meaning that speakers of a language generally agree on.

The writer's attitude toward the subject or audience, revealed through word choice, sentence structure, and detail. Common tones include ironic, sympathetic, critical, and nostalgic.

A question asked for effect rather than to obtain an answer. It nudges the reader toward an assumed response and often strengthens persuasion or emphasis in an argument.

A restatement of a passage in your own words that preserves the original meaning. It is usually similar in length to the source and requires accurate comprehension.

To condense a text into its essential points, leaving out examples and minor details. A good summary is much shorter than the source and keeps the original emphasis and order.

Information in surrounding words or sentences that helps you work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Clues may be definitions, examples, contrasts, or cause-and-effect relationships.

A pronoun or demonstrative such as it, they, this, or the former that points back or forward to another word or idea. Tracking it correctly is essential for reading comprehension.

The grammatical rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and collective nouns or intervening phrases often cause errors.

Keeping verb tenses logically aligned within a sentence or passage. Shifts in time should be deliberate and marked, not accidental, so the sequence of events stays clear.

Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparison. Faulty parallelism, such as mixing gerunds and infinitives, makes sentences awkward and harder to follow.

A descriptive phrase that does not clearly attach to the word it is meant to describe. For example, in 'Walking home, the rain began,' the rain appears to be walking.

A sentence pattern in which the subject performs the action, as in 'The committee approved the plan.' It is usually clearer and more direct than the passive alternative.

A sentence pattern in which the subject receives the action, as in 'The plan was approved.' It is useful when the doer is unknown or unimportant, but can sound evasive.

A habitual pairing of words that native speakers use together, such as 'make a decision' or 'heavy rain.' Wrong partners sound unnatural even when the grammar is correct.

The level of formality a text uses, ranging from casual speech to academic prose. Word choice, contractions, and sentence complexity all signal register to the reader.

A verb combined with a particle or preposition that changes its meaning, such as 'give up' or 'look into.' The meaning usually cannot be guessed from the separate words.

A word in another language that looks similar to an English word but means something different. For example, French 'actuellement' means 'currently,' not 'actually.'

A meaningful unit attached to the front of a word to change its meaning, such as un-, re-, or pre-. Knowing common prefixes helps you decode unfamiliar vocabulary.

A meaningful unit added to the end of a word, often changing its part of speech, such as -ness, -able, or -tion. Suffixes frequently signal whether a word is a noun or adjective.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause must attach to a main clause.

Two or more independent clauses joined without proper punctuation or a conjunction. The error blurs the boundary between ideas and must be fixed with a period, semicolon, or connector.

A reasoned case in which a writer states a claim and supports it with evidence and explanation. A strong argument also acknowledges and answers opposing views.

Facts, examples, statistics, or quotations used to support a claim. Effective evidence is relevant, sufficient, and clearly connected to the point it is meant to prove.

An opposing view that a writer raises and then answers in order to strengthen a position. Addressing it shows the writer has considered alternatives rather than ignored them.

The reason a writer produces a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or instruct. Identifying it helps readers judge which details matter and how to interpret tone.

The intended readers of a text, whose knowledge and expectations shape the writer's choices. Vocabulary, examples, and register are usually adjusted to suit them.

A fast reading technique used to locate a specific fact, name, or number without reading every word. The eyes move quickly over the page looking for a target.