NSSCO English Second Language 6109 flashcards

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

Skimming

Reading quickly to identify the main idea and overall structure of a passage, without focusing on every detail or individual word.

Scanning

Reading rapidly to locate specific information such as names, dates, numbers, or keywords, ignoring unrelated material until the target is found.

Inference

A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text plus logical reasoning, rather than from a statement that is directly expressed by the writer.

Not Given

A reading answer option used when the passage neither confirms nor contradicts a statement, so no evidence exists either way.

Topic sentence

A sentence, usually at the start of a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main controlling idea and is supported by the remaining sentences.

Pronoun reference

The relationship between a pronoun such as it or they and the noun phrase it replaces; substitution checks whether the sentence still makes sense.

Fact versus opinion

A fact can be verified by evidence; an opinion expresses a belief, judgement, or evaluation and often uses evaluative adjectives or modal verbs.

Thesis statement

A single sentence in an essay introduction that states the central claim or position and indicates the direction of the whole response.

Formal letter conventions

Include sender address, date, recipient address, salutation, subject line, structured body paragraphs, complimentary close, and full signature; contractions and slang are avoided.

Report structure

A report normally contains a title, terms of reference, procedure, findings, conclusion, and recommendations, often with numbered headings for clarity.

Speech opening

An effective speech opening addresses the audience, states the topic and purpose, and may use a rhetorical question, anecdote, or striking fact to gain attention.

Paragraph unity

The quality of a paragraph that develops one controlling idea; every supporting sentence relates to the topic sentence and unrelated material is removed.

Register

The level of formality in language, shaped by audience and purpose; formal writing avoids contractions and slang, while informal writing may use them.

Article headline

A short, attention-catching title that signals the article's topic and angle; it is often followed by an introduction and subheadings in longer pieces.

Subject-verb agreement

The verb must agree in number with its subject: singular subjects take singular verbs, plural subjects take plural verbs, regardless of intervening phrases.

Comma splice

An error in which two independent clauses are joined only by a comma; it is corrected with a full stop, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction.

Apostrophe of possession

An apostrophe marks possession: singular nouns add 's, plural nouns ending in s add only an apostrophe, and irregular plurals add 's.

Active voice

A sentence construction in which the subject performs the action, usually making writing clearer and more direct than passive voice.

Passive voice

A construction in which the object becomes the subject and the actor may be omitted or placed after by; formed with be plus past participle.

Collocation

A habitual pairing of words, such as make a decision or heavy rain, that sounds natural to native speakers and cannot always be predicted by rules.

Tense consistency

The rule that a passage normally maintains one dominant tense unless a time shift is signalled by adverbs, conjunctions, or a change in narrative viewpoint.

Semicolon use

A semicolon separates two closely related independent clauses, or items in a complex list, when a full stop would be too strong and a comma too weak.

Directed writing

Writing that transforms supplied information into a specified format, role, audience, and purpose, using the source content but adapting tone and structure.

Summary paraphrase

Restating the main points in your own words while preserving meaning; copied phrases are reduced and examples or repetition are omitted.

Information transfer

Moving data from a passage into a table, form, chart, or notes, keeping the original meaning and matching each item to the correct category.

Terms of reference

A section in a report stating who requested the report, its purpose, and the scope of the investigation, often placed near the beginning.

Word limit

A stated maximum or range of words for a task; summaries usually penalise extra content and may ignore words beyond the limit.

Note-making

Recording only key points in abbreviated form, using headings, bullet points, and symbols, while omitting examples, repetition, and unnecessary explanation.

Listening for gist

Listening to understand the main idea and speaker's purpose without trying to record every detail; details are filled in on a second listening.

Rising intonation

A pitch pattern that rises at the end of a phrase, commonly used for yes/no questions, lists, and expressions of uncertainty or politeness.

Turn-taking

The conversational system by which speakers signal when they are finished and listeners request or take a turn, using pauses, intonation, and phrases.

Signposting language

Words and phrases such as firstly, in contrast, and to conclude that guide listeners through the structure and relationships of a spoken presentation.