Tubman University Placement Exam key terms

The most important point a passage or paragraph communicates about its topic. It is usually stated in a single sentence and is supported by the details around it.

A fact, example, reason, or statistic that explains or proves the main idea. Details answer questions like who, what, when, where, why, and how much.

A conclusion a reader draws by combining stated information with general knowledge. An inference is not printed directly in the text but must be logically justified by it.

A word, phrase, or example near an unfamiliar word that helps reveal its meaning. Common types include definition clues, synonym clues, antonym clues, and example clues.

A word that has nearly the same meaning as another word, such as begin and start. Recognizing synonyms helps in restating ideas and answering vocabulary questions.

A word with the opposite meaning of another word, such as expand and shrink. Antonyms are often tested in vocabulary and analogy questions.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that announces the paragraph's main point. The remaining sentences develop or support that point with evidence.

A group of related sentences developing one idea. A well-formed paragraph has unity, coherence, and usually a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding or linking sentence.

A word or phrase such as however, therefore, or in addition that shows how ideas connect. Transitions signal contrast, cause, sequence, or addition between sentences and paragraphs.

The quality of writing in which ideas are arranged in a clear, logical order and linked smoothly, so a reader can follow the reasoning without confusion.

A sentence that states the central claim of an essay and previews how the essay will support it. It usually appears near the end of the introduction.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

A word such as he, she, it, or they that stands in for a noun or noun phrase. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender.

The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers back to. Clear writing keeps the antecedent obvious so the reader knows exactly who or what the pronoun means.

The form of a verb that shows when an action happens, such as past, present, or future. Consistent tense keeps a narrative or explanation easy to follow.

A number written as one quantity divided by another, such as 3/4, where the top number is the numerator and the bottom is the denominator. Fractions represent parts of a whole.

A number written using place value to the right of a decimal point, such as 0.75. Decimals and fractions can be converted into each other and compared by place value.

A fraction or ratio expressed out of 100, written with the percent sign. For example, 25% equals 25/100 or 0.25.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often written as a:b or as a fraction. Ratios show how much of one quantity exists relative to another.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, such as 2/3 = 4/6. Proportions are used to solve scaling and rate problems.

The arithmetic average of a set of numbers, found by adding all the values and dividing by how many values there are. The mean is sensitive to very large or small values.

The middle value in a data set arranged in order from least to greatest. If there is an even number of values, the median is the mean of the two middle values.

The value that appears most often in a data set. A set may have one mode, several modes, or no mode if every value appears equally often.

A letter or symbol, such as x, that stands for an unknown or changing number in an expression or equation. Variables let us write general rules and solve for unknowns.

A mathematical statement that two expressions are equal, joined by an equals sign. Solving an equation means finding the value of the variable that makes it true.

A combination of numbers, variables, and operation signs without an equals sign, such as 3x + 5. An expression can be simplified or evaluated but not solved.

The total distance around the outside of a closed plane figure. For a rectangle it equals twice the length plus twice the width.

The amount of surface a two-dimensional shape covers, measured in square units. For a rectangle, area equals length multiplied by width.

The process by which green plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make glucose and release oxygen. Chlorophyll in chloroplasts captures the light energy needed.

The process by which living cells release energy from glucose, using oxygen and producing carbon dioxide and water. It is the reverse of photosynthesis in its overall equation.

A community of living organisms interacting with each other and with the nonliving parts of their environment, such as soil, water, and climate.

A sequence showing how energy passes from one organism to another through eating, usually beginning with a producer and ending with a top predator.

The smallest structural and functional unit of a living organism. Cells contain specialized parts called organelles that carry out life processes.

The fundamental set of principles and rules by which a state or organization is governed. It defines government powers and usually protects citizens' rights.

A system of government in which power comes from the people, who choose leaders through free and fair elections and enjoy protected rights.

The legal status of belonging to a country, carrying both rights such as voting and duties such as obeying the law and paying taxes.

The economic relationship in which the price of a good tends to rise when demand exceeds supply and fall when supply exceeds demand.

The basic economic problem that human wants are unlimited while the resources available to satisfy them are limited, forcing choices about how to allocate them.

The relationship in which one event or condition makes another happen. Recognizing signal words like because, therefore, and as a result helps identify it.