MCAS flashcards

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

Theme

The central message or insight about life in a literary text, developed through characters, events, and details; it is broader than a one-sentence summary.

Central idea

The main point of an informational text, supported by details; it states what the text is mostly about.

Inference

A conclusion drawn by a reader from evidence in the text plus background knowledge, not stated directly.

Text structure

The organizational pattern used by an author, such as cause-effect, compare-contrast, chronological, problem-solution, or description.

Point of view

The perspective from which a story is told: first person, third-person limited, or third-person omniscient.

Figurative language

Language using nonliteral meaning, including simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and idiom, to create vivid effect.

Claim

A statement or position an author argues for in an argument, supported by reasons and evidence.

Evidence

Facts, examples, quotations, or data used to support an idea or claim in a text or written response.

Pythagorean theorem

In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the legs: a² + b² = c².

Slope

The ratio of vertical change to horizontal change between two points on a line, calculated as (y₂ − y₁)/(x₂ − x₁).

Area of triangle

The area of a triangle equals one-half the base times the height: A = ½bh.

Quadratic formula

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

Exponent product rule

When multiplying powers with the same base, add the exponents: aᵐ · aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿ.

Mean

The arithmetic average found by adding all values and dividing by the number of values.

Similar figures

Figures with the same shape but not necessarily the same size; corresponding angles are congruent and corresponding sides are proportional.

Function

A relation in which each input has exactly one output; passes the vertical line test.

Independent variable

The factor that a scientist deliberately changes in an experiment to test its effect on the dependent variable.

Density

Mass per unit volume of a substance or object, commonly calculated as density = mass/volume.

Newton's first law

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion at constant velocity, unless acted on by a net force.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen in chloroplasts.

Engineering design process

A cyclical method including defining a problem, designing solutions, building and testing prototypes, and improving based on evidence.

Atomic number

The unique number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which identifies the chemical element.

Kinetic energy

The energy of motion; it increases with mass and with the square of speed (KE = ½mv²).

Natural selection

The process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully.

Primary source

A first-hand account or object from the time under study, such as a letter, diary, photograph, artifact, or speech.

Secondary source

A source created later that interprets or analyzes primary sources, such as a textbook or biography.

Checks and balances

A system in which each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central national government and state governments.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, protecting individual rights and limiting federal power.

Opportunity cost

The value of the next best alternative given up by a person when making an economic decision.

Sourcing

The historical thinking skill of identifying a source's author, date, purpose, and audience to judge its reliability.

Reconstruction

The period after the Civil War when the U.S. government addressed rebuilding, civil rights, and readmission of Southern states.