Myanmar Matriculation English flashcards

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

Main idea question

Asks for the central point covering the whole passage. The correct option is broad enough to include all paragraphs but not so broad it includes unrelated ideas.

Detail question

Asks for a specific fact stated in the passage. Locate the sentence using synonyms from the question; the answer is a paraphrase, not a verbatim copy.

Inference question

Asks what can be logically concluded from stated evidence. The answer must be deducible from the text alone; reject options requiring outside knowledge.

Vocabulary-in-context question

Asks for the meaning of a word as used in the passage. Substitute each option into the original sentence and check whether the surrounding logic still holds.

Tone question

Asks for the author's attitude. Identify evaluative adjectives and adverbs such as 'fortunately' or 'merely' and match them to options like critical, neutral, or optimistic.

Pronoun reference

A pronoun such as it, they, or this refers to a nearby noun phrase. Test each candidate by replacing the pronoun and checking grammatical and logical fit.

EXCEPT question

Asks which option is NOT stated or true. Mark each option true or false against the passage; the single false option is the answer.

Topic sentence

The sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph, usually first. Every other sentence in the paragraph must support or explain it.

Cohesive devices

Linking words that connect ideas: addition (furthermore), contrast (however), cause (therefore), example (for instance). They must match the logical relationship.

Formal register

Style for essays and reports: no contractions, no slang, no idioms; prefer impersonal constructions and precise vocabulary over conversational phrases.

Guided composition

A writing task with given prompts or notes. Each prompt must be addressed in order; omitting a prompt loses content marks even if the grammar is correct.

Paragraph unity

The principle that every sentence in a paragraph relates to its topic sentence. Off-topic sentences should be deleted or moved to another paragraph.

Sentence variety

Mixing simple, compound, and complex sentences. Avoid starting more than two consecutive sentences with the same word or structure.

Conclusion paragraph

The final paragraph that restates the main position in new words and gives an implication or recommendation. It introduces no new main arguments.

Proofreading checklist

Final check for subject-verb agreement, articles, plural endings, tense consistency, preposition collocations, and spelling. Reserve three minutes at the end.

Subject-verb agreement

A singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb. Intervening prepositional phrases do not change the subject's number.

Tense sequence

In reported speech and subordinate clauses, a past main verb usually requires a past tense in the dependent clause, e.g., He said he was tired.

Definite article 'the'

Used for a specific item, a unique object, or something already mentioned. Not used for general plurals or abstract nouns used in a general sense.

Third conditional

Expresses an unreal past situation: if + had + past participle, would have + past participle. Example: If I had studied, I would have passed.

Defining relative clause

Gives essential information about a noun and takes no commas. Uses who for people, which for things, whose for possession, and where for places.

Passive voice

Formed with be + past participle. Only transitive verbs can be passive; the tense of 'be' matches the tense of the active sentence.

Modal verbs

Auxiliary verbs such as must, should, can, may. They take no -s or -ed endings and are followed by the base form of the verb.

Prepositions of time

Use in for months, years, and seasons; on for days and dates; at for clock times. Example: in July, on Monday, at 7 o'clock.

Reported question word order

In reported questions, use statement word order, not question order. Example: He asked where I lived, not He asked where did I live.

Collocation

A natural word partnership such as make a decision, take responsibility, or pay attention. Wrong collocations are common distractors in vocabulary items.

Connotation

The positive, negative, or neutral feeling a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Synonyms with different connotations are not interchangeable in context.

Word formation suffixes

Endings that change word class: -tion and -ment form nouns; -ful and -less form adjectives; -ly forms adverbs. Identify the required class from the sentence.

Context clues

Hints in the surrounding text that reveal an unknown word's meaning: definition, example, contrast, or cause-effect. Use them before guessing.

Phrasal verb

A verb plus a particle with a new meaning, such as give up (quit) or give in (surrender). Learn the verb and particle as one unit.

Affect vs effect

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence; effect is usually a noun meaning a result. Choose by the word's grammatical role in the sentence.

Rise vs raise

Rise is intransitive and takes no object (prices rise); raise is transitive and takes an object (raise your hand).

Idiom

A fixed expression whose meaning is not literal, such as break the ice (start a conversation). Idioms are avoided in formal writing.