HAVO Italiaans (elementair) key terms

Any written passage you read in the exam, such as a short article, e-mail, advertisement or notice. In questions you are often asked what the main point of the testo is.

A question about a text or audio fragment. Read or listen carefully to what exactly is asked, for example the reason, the opinion or a specific detail, before choosing an answer.

The answer you give to a question. In multiple-choice items only one risposta is correct; the others are plausible but contradict the text or are not mentioned.

One of the options offered in a multiple-choice question. Compare each alternativa with the exact wording of the text instead of choosing the one that merely sounds familiar.

The act of picking the correct option or deciding how to answer. Justify your scelta by pointing to the sentence in the text that supports it.

The heading above a text. A titolo often announces the subject and helps you predict what the passage is about before you start reading in detail.

The subject a text or recording deals with, for example sport, school or holidays. Identifying the argomento quickly gives you a frame for understanding unfamiliar words.

The purpose of a text, such as informing, persuading, inviting or warning. Questions about lo scopo ask why the writer produced the message, not what every sentence says.

What the speaker or writer wants to achieve with a remark, for example asking a favour, complaining politely or making a suggestion. Recognising l'intenzione helps you interpret tone and choose the right reply.

The mood or attitude expressed in a message, for example friendly, neutral, irritated or enthusiastic. Word choice and punctuation signal the tono, which can change the correct answer in comprehension items.

A short extract or passage, used for listening and reading tasks. A brano is usually self-contained, so all information needed to answer the questions appears inside it.

The listening part of the exam. You hear a fragment, often twice, and answer questions; train yourself to note key words rather than trying to write down every word.

A single audio recording played in the listening test, for example a dialogue, announcement or interview. Each traccia is followed by one or more questions.

A conversation between two or more speakers. In a dialogo listen for who says what, since questions often test one speaker's opinion, plan or problem.

The person you are speaking with, or the other participant in a recorded conversation. Noticing how speakers address each other reveals whether the situation is formal or informal.

A short public message, such as a station announcement or a notice about a changed opening time. Annunci often contain practical details like times, platforms or prices that questions ask about.

A written or spoken notice giving information or a warning, for example about a delay, a closure or a rule. Look for the key detail: what happens, where, and from when.

The content someone communicates, whether spoken, written or left as a voicemail. Questions may ask what the main messaggio is or what the listener is expected to do after hearing it.

A written message to a person or organisation, with a greeting, a body and a closing formula. In writing tasks you must respect the layout and choose formal or informal forms consistently.

An electronic message with a subject line, greeting, body and sign-off. Exam tasks often ask you to reply to an e-mail, so answer every point raised and keep the register appropriate.

The subject line of an e-mail or the topic of a message. A clear oggetto states in a few words what the message is about, without a full sentence.

Describing language used with strangers, officials or businesses, using lei and polite formulas. Mixing formale and informal address in one text is a common error in writing tasks.

Describing relaxed language used with friends, family and peers, using tu and everyday expressions. In an informale message contractions and simple link words are acceptable, but spelling still counts.

The level of language chosen for a situation, ranging from formal to casual. Keeping one consistent registro shows awareness of the reader and is assessed in productive tasks.

A first version of a text you write before the final copy. Making a short bozza helps you check that all required points are covered and that verb forms agree.

Checking and improving a text after writing it, focusing on grammar, spelling, word order and whether the task requirements are met. Reserve a few minutes for revision in every writing task.

A spoken exchange with another person, in which you take turns, react to what is said and keep the talk going. In the oral exam you are expected to initiate as well as answer.

A short talk you give on a prepared topic, usually with an introduction, a few main points and a conclusion. Structure and linking words matter as much as vocabulary.

The way words are spoken, including vowel quality, double consonants and stress. Clear pronuncia matters more than a native accent; practise words that differ strongly from Dutch or English.

A personal view about a topic, introduced with phrases such as secondo me or penso che. Giving and supporting an opinione is a core skill in spoken interaction tasks.

An opinion or judgement, often asked for with che ne pensi? or che cosa ne dice. Asking for someone's parere and reacting to it keeps a conversation natural.

A word with a meaning close to another word, such as casa and abitazione. Knowing sinonimi lets you understand a text that uses different wording from the question.

A word expressing the opposite of another, such as alto and basso. Recognising contrari helps you follow contrasts in a text, for example when someone changes their mind.

The meaning a word or sentence carries in context. Many Italian words have several significati, so use the surrounding sentence to decide which one applies.

The words and situation around an unknown expression. Guessing from the contesto is a legitimate strategy, but check that your guess fits the grammar of the sentence as well.

A fixed group of words whose meaning is not simply the sum of its parts, such as in bocca al lupo. Learn espressioni as whole chunks rather than translating them word by word.

An idiomatic phrase used in everyday speech, for example non vedo l'ora or costa un occhio. Modii di dire appear in listening texts and cannot be understood literally.

The word that expresses an action or state and carries the information about person, number and tense. Finding the verbo first helps you identify the subject and the time frame of a sentence.

A verb mood used after expressions of opinion, doubt, wish or necessity, as in penso che sia giusto. It is required after many common phrases and is frequently tested in grammar items.

The compound past tense formed with avere or essere plus a past participle, used for completed events, as in ho mangiato or sono andato. Choose the auxiliary carefully and make the participle agree where needed.

The helping verb avere or essere used to build compound tenses. Most verbs take avere, but movement and reflexive verbs usually take essere, which changes the participle ending.