VMBO BB Engels key terms

The most important point a text or recording is about, not a small detail. You often find it in the first or last sentence of a paragraph.

The sentence in a paragraph that states what the paragraph is mainly about. The other sentences usually give examples or explain it further.

A fact, example or reason that explains or proves the main idea. Questions often ask you to pick the detail that is actually mentioned in the text.

Reading a text quickly to get the general meaning without reading every word. You look at titles, headings, first sentences and bold words.

Looking through a text quickly for one specific piece of information, such as a name, a price or a date, without reading the rest carefully.

A word or sentence around an unknown word that helps you guess its meaning. The clue may be a synonym, an example or a contrast in the same sentence.

Working out what an unknown word probably means by using the words around it, the topic of the text and what you already know about the subject.

A word that means about the same as another word, for example 'big' and 'large'. Exam questions often ask you to find a synonym in the text.

A word that means the opposite of another word, for example 'cheap' and 'expensive'. Recognising opposites helps you understand contrast in a text.

A linking word such as 'but', 'because', 'however' or 'so' that shows how two ideas are connected. It tells you whether the writer adds, contrasts or explains.

A word like 'it', 'they', 'this' or 'he' that points back to something already named. You must check what it refers to in order to understand the sentence.

The reason the writer made the text, for example to inform, to persuade, to warn or to entertain. The tone and the kind of words used often give it away.

The feeling or attitude a text shows, such as friendly, angry, neutral or humorous. Word choice and punctuation help you recognise the tone.

The group of people a text is written for, such as children, customers or students. The choice of words and layout often shows who the readers are.

The title above a text and the smaller titles above parts of it. They quickly show the topic and help you find the section that contains the answer.

A question type where you decide whether a statement matches the text, contradicts it, or is simply not mentioned. 'Not given' means the text says nothing about it.

An exercise where you complete a sentence or text by putting the missing word or short phrase in the empty space. Check grammar and meaning before you write.

The general meaning of what someone says or writes, without the details. Listening for gist means you try to catch the topic and the speaker's point first.

Listening with the aim of catching specific facts such as times, prices, names or numbers. Read the question first so you know what to listen for.

Information in a listening text that sounds like the answer but is not correct, for example an old price or a plan that is later changed. Listen to the end before choosing.

Saying the same thing in different words. In listening tests the question often uses other words than the speaker, so you must recognise the same idea.

What the speaker really wants to achieve, such as asking for help, complaining, inviting someone or giving advice. The situation and tone help you decide.

The way the voice rises and falls when someone speaks. It can show a question, surprise, doubt or friendliness, even when the words stay the same.

The extra force you put on a word or syllable when speaking. A stressed word often carries the most important information in a sentence.

The way a word is said, including its sounds and stress. Clear pronunciation helps the listener understand you during a speaking test.

Being able to speak without long pauses and with a natural flow. Small mistakes are fine; keeping the conversation going matters more.

Giving the other person a chance to speak and taking your turn in a conversation. Phrases like 'What do you think?' and 'Sorry to interrupt' help you do this politely.

A question you ask after someone's answer to keep the conversation going or to get more information, for example 'Why do you think that?'

A speaking task in which you act out a situation, such as ordering food or asking for directions, usually with a fixed goal you must reach.

Fixed phrases used for a purpose, such as asking politely ('Could you...?'), giving an opinion ('I think...') or apologising ('I'm sorry, but...').

How formal or informal your language is for a situation. You speak differently to a friend than to a shop assistant or a teacher.

A short phrase that starts your answer and introduces your point, such as 'In my opinion' or 'First of all'. It gives the listener time and makes your answer clearer.

A word such as 'and', 'but', 'because', 'so' or 'however' that links ideas in a sentence or text. Using them makes your writing and speaking easier to follow.

A group of sentences about one idea, starting on a new line. A good paragraph often begins with a topic sentence and ends with a closing sentence.

A letter or email to someone you know well, such as a friend. It uses a friendly opening and closing, short forms and everyday language.

A letter or email to a company, school or stranger. It uses a polite tone, full forms, a clear subject and a closing such as 'Yours faithfully' or 'Kind regards'.

The marks you use in writing, such as full stops, commas, question marks and capital letters. Correct punctuation makes your text clear and shows where sentences end.

Writing words with the correct letters in the correct order. Check common words and plurals carefully, because spelling mistakes cost marks in a writing test.

Reading your own text again to find and correct mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation before you hand it in. Always keep a few minutes for this.