WASSCE Liberia flashcards

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

Subject-verb agreement

A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb; intervening phrases do not change the number of the subject.

Active voice

The subject performs the action of the verb, as in 'The student answered the question'; it is usually clearer and more direct than passive voice.

Passive voice

The subject receives the action, formed with a form of 'be' plus a past participle, as in 'The question was answered by the student.'

Semicolon use

A semicolon joins two independent clauses closely related in meaning and can also separate list items that already contain commas.

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'like' or 'as', for example 'as brave as a lion'.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that states one thing is another without using 'like' or 'as', for example 'The classroom was a zoo.'

Its versus it's

Its is a possessive determiner meaning 'belonging to it'; it's is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has'.

Topic sentence

A sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the main idea and controls the supporting details that follow.

Quadratic formula

For ax² + bx + c = 0 with a ≠ 0, the solutions are x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / (2a).

Pythagorean theorem

In a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides: a² + b² = c².

Area of circle

The area enclosed by a circle is π times the square of its radius, written A = πr²; π is approximately 3.14.

Simple interest

Interest calculated only on the principal using I = PRT/100, where P is principal, R is annual rate percent, and T is time in years.

Mean

The arithmetic average found by adding all values in a data set and dividing the sum by the number of values.

Probability scale

Probability ranges from 0 for an impossible event to 1 for a certain event; values between indicate likelihood.

Volume of cylinder

The space inside a cylinder equals the base area times height: V = πr²h, where r is radius and h is height.

Laws of indices

When multiplying powers with the same base, add exponents; when dividing, subtract; when raising a power to a power, multiply exponents.

Photosynthesis equation

In the presence of light and chlorophyll, green plants combine carbon dioxide and water to form glucose and oxygen: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.

Cellular respiration

The breakdown of glucose in cells to release energy, using oxygen and producing carbon dioxide and water: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy.

Density formula

Density is mass per unit volume, calculated as density = mass ÷ volume; an object floats in a fluid if its density is lower.

Benedict's test

A test for reducing sugars such as glucose; the blue solution changes to green, yellow, orange, or brick-red when heated with the sample.

Ohm's law

For a conductor at constant temperature, voltage equals current multiplied by resistance, V = IR; it links volts, amperes, and ohms.

Series circuit

A circuit with one path for current; the same current flows through each component, and total voltage is the sum of component voltages.

pH scale

A measure of acidity or alkalinity: values below 7 are acidic, 7 is neutral, and values above 7 are alkaline or basic.

Food chain

A sequence showing energy transfer from a producer to consumers, with arrows pointing from the organism eaten to the organism that eats it.

Separation of powers

The division of government into executive, legislative, and judicial branches so that no single branch holds all political power.

Constitution

The supreme law of a country that establishes government institutions, defines their powers, and states citizens' fundamental rights and duties.

Opportunity cost

The value of the next best alternative given up when a choice is made because resources are scarce.

Map scale

The ratio or statement that shows how distance on a map relates to actual distance on the ground.

Latitude

An imaginary line or angular distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees from 0° at the equator to 90° at the poles.

Socialization

The process by which people learn the norms, values, and roles of their society, mainly through family, school, peers, and media.

Democracy

A system of government in which power comes from the people, usually through free elections, majority rule, and protection of minority rights.

Mediation

A conflict-resolution method in which a neutral third party helps disputants reach a voluntary agreement but does not impose a binding decision.