VMBO KB Engels flashcards

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

Skimming

Reading quickly for the main idea: title, subheadings, and first or last sentence of each paragraph. Used before detailed questions to build a mental map of the text.

Scanning

Searching a text for one specific item such as a date, price, or name without reading every word. Eyes move fast until the target word appears.

Signal words contrast

Words like but, however, although, and yet. They warn that the writer changes direction, and exam answers often sit right after them.

Reference words

Pronouns such as he, she, it, they, this, and that. They point back to an earlier noun; check number and meaning to find the referent.

True/False with not

Questions containing not or except ask for the false option. Underline the negative word before choosing, because most errors come from misreading it.

Word meaning in context

Guessing an unknown word from the sentence around it and from its word family. The verb, noun, or adjective form often reveals the core meaning.

Main idea question

A question about the whole text, not one detail. The answer must cover all paragraphs; options that mention only one paragraph are usually wrong.

Open answer with evidence

A short written answer that quotes or paraphrases the text. A personal opinion without textual support earns no marks, even if it is sensible.

Predicting before listening

Reading the question and options before the audio starts, then guessing likely words such as numbers, places, or names. This directs attention while listening.

Distractor correction

A wrong detail mentioned first and corrected later, as in 'at nine, no wait, half past nine'. The correction is the answer.

Rising intonation

A voice going up at the end of a phrase. It signals a question, uncertainty, or an unfinished list rather than a firm statement.

Falling intonation

A voice going down at the end of a phrase. It signals a statement, a conclusion, or a finished list of items.

Note-taking shorthand

Using symbols and abbreviations such as arrows, equals signs, and single letters while listening. Only keywords are written, never full sentences.

Time prepositions in audio

Words like on, at, until, and before that fix when something happens. Missing them changes the answer to a time or date question.

Speaker attitude

How a speaker feels, shown by tone, stress, and adverbs rather than direct statements. Words like relieved, annoyed, or surprised label the attitude.

Skipping a missed answer

Moving on immediately when one answer is missed. Staying stuck makes the next answers fail too; later audio may repeat the information.

Yours sincerely

The formal closing used when the reader's name is known and the letter opens with Dear Mr or Ms plus surname. The name is followed by a comma.

Yours faithfully

The formal closing used when the reader's name is unknown and the letter opens with Dear Sir or Madam. It pairs only with that unnamed greeting.

Informal email closing

Endings such as Best wishes, Kind regards, or Love from, used with Hi or Dear plus a first name. Contractions like I'm are acceptable here.

Topic sentence

The first sentence of a paragraph that states its main point. The rest of the paragraph gives detail, example, or reason supporting it.

Linking words

Connectors such as because, although, in addition, therefore, and finally. They show the relation between ideas and make a text coherent.

Formal register

Writing without contractions, slang, or exclamation marks, using full forms such as do not and I would like. Used for applications, complaints, and official emails.

Subject-verb agreement

The verb matches the subject in number: he goes, they go. A third-person singular subject in the present tense takes an -s on the verb.

A or an

Use an before a vowel sound (an hour, an email) and a before a consonant sound (a user, a hotel). The choice follows sound, not spelling.

Word count rule

Stay within about ten percent of the required number of words. Count the body text; addresses and subject lines usually do not count unless stated.

Apostrophe possession

An apostrophe plus s shows ownership: the boy's bag, the students' books. Plural nouns ending in s take the apostrophe after the s.

Turn-taking phrases

Short expressions like Well, Actually, or Let me think that hold the conversation floor or hand it over politely without long silences.

Asking for clarification

Polite requests such as Could you repeat that, please? or What do you mean by that? They keep a conversation going when something is unclear.

Giving an opinion

Phrases like In my opinion or I think, followed by a reason with because. An opinion without a reason scores lower in speaking tests.

Polite disagreement

Softening phrases such as I see your point, however or I'm afraid I don't agree. They disagree without sounding rude or ending the exchange.

Present continuous for pictures

The form is or are plus verb-ing, used to describe what people are doing in an image, as in she is wearing a red coat.

Role-play checklist

Greet the partner, state your purpose, ask at least two questions, react to the answers, and close politely. Each step carries marks in speaking exams.