MATSEC AM Spanish key terms

Words and phrases such as sin embargo, por lo tanto or además that link ideas and show contrast, cause, or addition, helping a written or spoken text flow logically.

A Spanish verb mood used after expressions of doubt, wish, emotion, or impersonal statements, and in subordinate clauses referring to non-factual or hypothetical situations.

The rule that verb tenses in a sentence must relate logically, for example using the imperfect subjunctive after a past-tense main verb in reported or hypothetical statements.

Reported speech, where someone's words are retold rather than quoted, requiring changes to pronouns, tenses, and time or place references.

A verb construction made of an auxiliary plus an infinitive, gerund, or participle, such as ir a hacer, estar haciendo, or acabar de hacer, expressing aspect or modality.

The way a verb form presents an action with regard to its completion, duration, or repetition, as opposed to the time when it happens.

A past tense used for ongoing background situations, habitual actions, and descriptions in the past, contrasted with the preterite for completed events.

The simple past tense used for finished actions seen as single completed events, often with specific time references such as ayer or en 2019.

Time expressions such as hace dos años, dentro de poco, or en aquella época that anchor a statement to a moment and often signal which tense to use.

The level of formality in language, ranging from informal chat to formal writing, which affects vocabulary, pronouns such as tú or usted, and sentence structure.

Polite fixed expressions used in speech and letters, such as por favor, le agradecería, or un saludo cordial, appropriate to formal or professional interaction.

A structured letter with greeting, body, and closing, using formal address and set phrases such as Estimado señor or Atentamente, typical of applications and complaints.

The quality of a text where all ideas connect logically to the topic and purpose, so the reader can follow the argument without confusion.

The linking of sentences through pronouns, connectors, and repeated or substituted words so that a text holds together as a unit.

The central point a speaker or writer wants to communicate, which a listener or reader must identify to answer comprehension questions accurately.

A conclusion drawn from clues in a text or recording rather than from an explicit statement, often required when answering questions about attitude or intention.

The most important content words in a question or text that guide searching for the relevant passage or section during reading and listening tasks.

A fast reading technique for locating specific information such as dates, names, or figures without reading every word in detail.

A quick reading of headings, first sentences, and key phrases to grasp the general topic and structure of a text before detailed reading.

The attitude or mood conveyed by a speaker or writer, for example ironic, neutral, or critical, often signalled by word choice and intonation.

The rise and fall of voice pitch in speech, which can change meaning, show emotion, or distinguish a statement from a question.

The stress placed on a syllable in pronunciation, and also a regional way of speaking that reveals where a speaker comes from.

The joining in speech of a final vowel to an initial vowel of the next word so they form one syllable, common in natural spoken Spanish.

A spoken presentation or talk delivered to an audience, requiring clear structure, signposting phrases, and appropriate pacing and intonation.

A structured discussion in which participants present and defend opposing views, using turn-taking phrases, rebuttals, and polite disagreement.

A reason or set of reasons offered to support a position, usually developed with evidence or examples in an essay or discussion.

A point raised against an argument, often acknowledged and then refuted to strengthen the writer's own position in a discursive essay.

The main claim or position a text sets out to defend, usually stated near the beginning and supported throughout the body.

A shortened version of a text or recording that keeps the main points and omits detail, often written in the candidate's own words.

Restating information in different words while keeping the meaning, a key skill for summarising and for avoiding direct copying of source text.

The set of words associated with a particular topic, such as environment, health, or technology, needed to understand and produce exam texts.

A habitual word partnership such as tomar una decisión or prestar atención, where the combination sounds natural to native speakers.

A word that looks similar in Spanish and English but differs in meaning, such as actual (current) or embarazada (pregnant), causing comprehension errors.

A word with a similar meaning to another, useful for paraphrasing and for choosing the correct option in multiple-choice comprehension questions.

A word with the opposite meaning to another, often tested in vocabulary exercises and useful for understanding contrast within a text.

The documents, articles, or recordings from which material is taken, whose reliability should be assessed when preparing a written or spoken task.

A short formal talk on a prepared topic, typically assessed on content, fluency, pronunciation, and ability to answer follow-up questions.