UEE English flashcards

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

Main idea

The central claim that the whole passage supports, usually stated in the introduction or conclusion. It must cover all paragraphs, not just one detail.

Inference question

A question asking what the passage suggests or implies rather than states. The answer must follow in one logical step from textual evidence.

EXCEPT question

A negative item where three options are supported by the text and one is not. Verify each option against a specific line before choosing.

Distractor types

Common wrong-answer patterns in reading tests: true but irrelevant, half-true with one word changed, reversed cause and effect, and overgeneralization from one example.

Subject-verb agreement

The verb agrees with the head noun of the subject, ignoring prepositional phrases between them. In either/or and neither/nor, it agrees with the nearer subject.

Present perfect

Have or has plus past participle. It links a past action to the present and cannot combine with finished past time markers such as yesterday or in 1990.

Third conditional

If plus past perfect in the condition, would have plus past participle in the result. It describes an unreal past situation and its imagined consequence.

Non-defining relative clause

A clause giving extra information, set off by commas. It cannot use that, and which refers to things while who refers to people.

Gerund after preposition

A preposition is followed by a noun, pronoun, or -ing form, never by a bare infinitive. Examples include interested in learning and good at solving.

Modal of deduction

Must shows strong certainty, may or might shows possibility, and cannot shows impossibility. Must have plus participle expresses certainty about the past.

Nominalization

Forming a noun from a verb or adjective, as in decide to decision or able to ability. It fills noun slots in formal academic writing.

Negative prefix rules

In- before most consonants, im- before m, p, and b, ir- before r, and il- before l. Un- is the default for many native adjectives.

Countable versus uncountable

Countable nouns take many, few, and plural verbs; uncountable nouns take much, little, and singular verbs. Information, advice, and equipment are uncountable.

Affect versus effect

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence. Effect is usually a noun meaning result, though effect as a verb means to bring about.

Collocation

The conventional pairing of words, such as make a decision, do research, heavy rain, and highly likely. Wrong partners are grammatically possible but unnatural.

Discourse markers

Words signaling logical relations between sentences: however and although for contrast, therefore and thus for result, moreover for addition, for instance for example.

Cohesion check

After filling a gap, re-read the sentence with the next one. A correct choice never contradicts the following sentence or breaks the reference chain.

Few versus a few

Few means almost none and carries negative meaning with countable nouns. A few means some and is positive. Little and a little work the same way with uncountables.

Parallel structure

Items joined by and, or, or but must share grammatical form. Reading, writing, and listening is correct; reading, writing, and to listen is not.

Thesis statement

A single arguable sentence, usually at the end of the introduction, that states the essay's position and previews its structure. It is not a statement of fact.

Run-on sentence

Two independent clauses joined only by a comma, with no conjunction or semicolon. It is a major error in scored writing.

Hedging

Softening a claim with tends to, suggests that, or is likely to. It signals appropriate caution and is standard in academic register.

Paraphrase technique

Restating an idea by changing word class, voice, and vocabulary while keeping technical terms and attributing the source. Verbatim copying requires quotation marks.

Comma splice

A comma used alone to join two full clauses. Correct it with a conjunction, a semicolon, or a full stop.

Dangling modifier

An introductory participle that does not describe the subject of the main clause. Walking home, I saw the rain is correct; walking home, the rain fell is not.

Register shift

A change in formality within one text, marked by contractions, slang, or exclamation marks in academic prose. It lowers the score for style.

Redundancy

Repeating meaning already present, as in return back, repeat again, or very unique. Delete the redundant element rather than rephrasing the sentence.

Dependent preposition

A verb or adjective fixed to a particular preposition, such as depend on, consist of, and married to. Substituting another preposition is an error.

Signposting language

Spoken markers such as first, on the other hand, and to sum up that announce the structure of a lecture and predict where answers appear.

Spoken correction

A number, date, or name stated then revised in the audio, as in actually, make that Tuesday. The final version is the answer.

Paraphrased option

A correct listening answer that restates the audio in different words. Options echoing exact audio wording are often distractors.

Directional language

Terms used in map and diagram tasks: opposite, adjacent to, at the far end, just past, and next to. They locate a place relative to a landmark.