SLLC Entrance flashcards

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

Subject-verb agreement

The verb must match the subject in number and person. Intervening phrases do not change the number. Example: 'The box of chocolates is on the table.'

Passive voice formation

Formed with 'be' + past participle. Only transitive verbs can be passive. Example: 'The report was written by the intern.'

Restrictive vs non-restrictive clauses

Restrictive clauses are essential and not set off by commas; non-restrictive clauses add extra information and are set off by commas. 'That' is only used in restrictive clauses.

Conditional sentence types

Zero: present + present (general truths). First: present + will (future possibilities). Second: past + would (unreal present). Third: past perfect + would have + past participle (unreal past).

Modal verb rules

Modals (can, may, must, shall, will, etc.) do not take -s in third person singular and are followed by the bare infinitive. Example: 'She must go,' not 'She musts go.'

Article usage

'A/an' for indefinite singular count nouns; 'the' for specific or previously mentioned nouns; zero article for generic plurals and abstract nouns. Example: 'Dogs are loyal' (generic).

Inversion after negative adverbials

When a negative adverbial (never, rarely, seldom, not only) begins a clause, the subject and auxiliary verb invert. Example: 'Rarely have I seen such dedication.'

Perfect progressive aspect

Formed with 'have been' + present participle. It emphasizes duration of an action leading up to now. Example: 'She has been studying for three hours.'

Collocations

Words that naturally co-occur in a language. Common verb-noun pairs: make a decision, take a break, do homework. Learning collocations improves fluency and accuracy.

False friends

Words that look similar in two languages but have different meanings. Example: English 'actual' means 'real', not 'current' (as in some Romance languages).

Phrasal verbs

Verb + particle combinations with idiomatic meanings. Example: 'give up' (quit), 'look after' (care for). They can be transitive or intransitive and sometimes separable.

Prefixes and suffixes

Prefixes change meaning (un-, dis-, re-, pre-, mis-). Suffixes often change part of speech (-tion noun, -ize verb, -ful adjective). Example: 'happy' → 'unhappy' → 'happiness'.

Countable vs uncountable nouns

Countable nouns take plural -s and 'many'; uncountable nouns take singular verbs and 'much' or 'a little'. Example: 'information' is uncountable: 'much information', not 'many informations'.

Idioms

Fixed expressions whose meaning is not predictable from individual words. Example: 'break the ice' means to start a conversation in a social setting.

Register

The level of formality in language. Academic writing often uses Latinate verbs (commence) instead of phrasal verbs (start off). Register affects word choice and tone.

Connotation vs denotation

Denotation is the literal meaning; connotation is the emotional or evaluative association. 'Childish' has a negative connotation, while 'childlike' is positive.

Main idea questions

Ask for the central point of a passage. The correct answer is broad enough to cover the whole text, not just one detail or paragraph.

Supporting detail questions

Require locating specific information in the passage. The correct answer often paraphrases the text rather than repeating it verbatim.

Inference questions

Ask what is implied but not directly stated. The answer must be logically supported by textual evidence, not by personal opinion.

Vocabulary-in-context

Tests the meaning of a word as used in the passage. The correct answer fits the surrounding sentence, even if it is not the most common dictionary definition.

Author's purpose and tone

Questions about why the author wrote the passage and their attitude. Tone can be critical, neutral, enthusiastic, etc., inferred from word choice and sentence structure.

Cohesion

The way sentences connect through pronouns, conjunctions, and lexical repetition. Tracking cohesive devices helps identify referents and logical flow.

Skimming and scanning

Skimming is reading quickly for gist; scanning is searching for specific facts. Both are efficient strategies for different question types.

Eliminating wrong answer choices

On multiple-choice reading items, eliminate options that are too broad, too narrow, or contradicted by the passage. This improves accuracy.

Predicting content

Before listening, read the questions and answer choices to anticipate what to listen for. This primes you to catch specific information.

Discourse markers

Words like 'however', 'therefore', 'on the other hand' that signal contrast, cause, or conclusion. They help follow the speaker's logic.

Note-taking abbreviations

Use symbols and short forms (e.g., '→' for leads to, 'w/' for with, '&' for and) to capture key points quickly without slowing down.

Intonation and stress

Rising intonation can indicate a question or uncertainty; emphatic stress highlights contrast. These cues affect meaning in listening.

Numbers and proper nouns

Common detail questions in listening. Write them down immediately as they are easy to confuse or forget.

Self-corrections

When a speaker says 'Actually, it was Tuesday' after saying Monday, the later information is usually the accurate one. Listen for correction cues.

High-context vs low-context cultures

High-context cultures rely on shared background and non-verbal cues; low-context cultures value explicit verbal communication. This affects interpretation of messages.

Politeness strategies

Ways to show respect, such as indirect refusals or honorifics. In many East Asian contexts, indirectness is preferred over direct disagreement.