NSSCAS Silozi First Language 8197 key terms

A person or thing that is being talked about or acted upon in a sentence, usually the receiver of the action; in Silozi grammar it contrasts with the doer of the action.

The doer of an action in a sentence, the participant who carries out the verb; in Silozi it often governs agreement prefixes on the verb.

A word that names a person, place, thing, quality or idea, such as mutu, nuka or buhande; it belongs to a noun class that controls agreement.

A word class or part of speech in Silozi grammar, used to group words by their function, for example nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs.

A word that stands in place of a noun, such as yena, bona or zona, to avoid repeating the noun; its form depends on the noun class it replaces.

The grammatical relationship in which a verb or pronoun changes form to match its subject or noun class, for example subject agreement in Silozi sentences.

The way words are arranged in a sentence to show meaning and grammatical relationships; Silozi normally places the verb before its object.

A piece of writing that presents information, ideas or an argument in clear paragraphs, such as an essay, report or article for a specified audience.

Practical or functional writing produced for a real purpose, such as a letter, notice, speech, advertisement or instructions, with a clear format and audience.

A short piece of writing that summarises the main points of a longer text, keeping the essential information and leaving out examples and repetition.

The central idea or message that a text develops; identifying it helps a reader separate important information from supporting detail during comprehension.

The act of reading a text carefully to understand its meaning, including explicit information, implied ideas and the writer's attitude or purpose.

A statement or fact that supports a main point in a text; candidates must distinguish supporting detail from the central claim when answering comprehension questions.

The tone or attitude a writer expresses towards the subject and audience, such as serious, humorous, critical or sympathetic; it is inferred from word choice.

A hint or indirect suggestion in a text from which a reader can infer meaning that is not stated directly, for example through imagery or word choice.

The person or group a piece of writing is intended for; it shapes the level of formality, vocabulary and amount of explanation in a letter, speech or essay.

A short written account of the main events or ideas in a text, given in the writer's own words and in logical order, without personal opinion.

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to something it does not literally describe, creating an imaginative comparison, for example 'the moon is a lamp'.

A comparison between two things using words such as 'like' or 'as'; in Silozi poetry it creates vivid images and adds emotional force to a line.

The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in nearby words, used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis or a memorable effect.

The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, or the rhythm, of a line of poetry; it affects how a poem sounds when read aloud.

A group of lines forming a unit in a poem, similar to a paragraph in prose; stanzas often develop a single image or idea.

The main character in a story, play or novel, whose actions and choices drive the plot and whose development the reader follows closely.

A character who opposes the main character and creates conflict in a narrative or drama, whether through direct action or through pressure on others.

The central struggle between opposing forces in a story or play, such as person against person, society or nature; it drives the action towards a resolution.

A play or story that ends unhappily, often with the downfall or death of the main character, and that explores serious themes such as fate, loss or betrayal.

A play or story that ends happily, often with reconciliation, marriage or success, and that usually treats its themes with humour and lightness.

A character who remains the same throughout a narrative and is not changed by events; such characters often serve a fixed role in the plot.

A character who changes or develops during a narrative, usually because of a conflict, loss or discovery that alters their beliefs or behaviour.

The use of words to communicate meaning in speech; in oral assessment it covers clarity, pronunciation, fluency and the ability to be understood by listeners.

The act of speaking or making a formal speech to an audience; in oral assessment it includes planning, structuring and delivering a clear message.

The ability to listen to spoken Silozi and understand its meaning, including main ideas, details and the speaker's intention, often tested through recorded passages.

A spoken summary or retelling of what a speaker has said, used to check understanding and to practise accurate paraphrasing in oral tasks.

Writing that is produced for a wide public readership, such as a newspaper article or notice, and that must be clear, accurate and appropriate in tone.

A short description of a character's role, personality and development in a literary text, supported by evidence from events and dialogue.

Language that is clear, direct and free of unnecessary ornament, valued in comprehension answers, summaries and functional writing where precision matters.