MET (Michigan English Tests) flashcards

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

Thesis statement

A single sentence in the introduction that states the essay's main position; every body paragraph should support it.

Topic sentence

The first sentence of a body paragraph that names the paragraph's one controlling idea and links it back to the thesis.

Cohesive devices

Linking words and phrases such as however, therefore, and in addition that show the logical relationship between sentences and between paragraphs.

Register

The level of formality in language; an email to a colleague uses a different register from an academic essay.

Paraphrasing the prompt

Restating the question in your own words in the introduction, showing understanding while avoiding copied wording.

Sentence variety

Mixing simple, compound, and complex sentence structures so the writing does not become monotonous and shows grammatical range.

Run-on sentence

Two independent clauses joined with no conjunction or punctuation; repair it with a full stop, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction.

Salutation and closing

The greeting and sign-off that frame an email, such as 'Dear Mr Lee' and 'Best regards', matched to the required formality.

Distractor

An answer option that repeats a word from the recording but does not answer the question, testing whether you followed meaning rather than sound.

Signpost language

Words such as firstly, however, and to sum up that signal how a lecture is organised and where the speaker is going next.

Paraphrase in listening

The correct option usually restates the speaker's idea in different words rather than repeating the exact wording that was heard.

Inference item

A listening question that asks what the speaker implies rather than states directly, for example how they feel about a plan.

Number correction

A common pattern in which a speaker gives a figure and then revises it, so the second number is usually the answer.

Gist question

A question about the main topic or purpose of a conversation or talk, answered from the overall message rather than one detail.

Idiom

A fixed expression whose meaning is not literal, such as 'cost an arm and a leg', understood from context and tone.

Single-play audio

The recording is heard once only, so answers must be marked while listening and missed items must be abandoned.

Skimming

Reading quickly for the main idea, looking at titles, first sentences, and conclusions before answering detailed questions about the text.

Scanning

Moving the eyes quickly over a text to locate a specific word, number, or name without reading every sentence.

Vocabulary in context

A question type where a word's meaning must be decided from the surrounding sentences rather than from its most common dictionary sense.

Main idea question

A question asking what a passage is mostly about; the correct option must cover the whole text, not one supporting detail.

Inference in reading

Choosing the conclusion that must follow from the evidence in the text, rather than one that is merely possible.

Extreme wording

Options containing always, never, or all are usually wrong because passages rarely support absolute claims of that kind.

Cohesion gap

A sentence-insertion item where the missing sentence must link logically to the sentences that come before and after it.

Reference word

A pronoun such as it or they whose meaning must be traced back to the earlier noun phrase it replaces.

Extended answer

A spoken response that adds a reason, detail, or example to the direct answer, giving the examiner evidence of fluency.

ARE structure

Answer, Reason, Example: a three-part pattern for opinion tasks that keeps responses organised and full in length.

Fluency

The ability to speak at a steady pace with few long pauses, even when some grammar or vocabulary errors occur.

Picture description

A speaking task requiring present continuous verbs for the actions shown and location phrases such as in the foreground or behind.

Filler phrase

A short expression like 'well' or 'that's a good question' used to keep talking while planning the next idea.

Intonation

The rise and fall of the voice across a sentence, used to signal questions, lists, and emphasis on key information.

Self-correction

Repairing a spoken error immediately; useful when meaning is unclear, but excessive repair harms the fluency rating.

Chunking

Grouping words into meaningful phrases and pausing between the groups, which makes read-aloud speech easier for a listener to follow.