TACHS key terms

The most important point a passage communicates about its subject, broad enough to cover the whole text rather than one detail. Often stated in a topic sentence or inferred from the opening and closing.

A specific fact, example, or reason in a passage that explains, proves, or illustrates the main idea. Detail questions often ask which statement is or is not stated in the text.

A conclusion a reader draws by combining clues in the text with background knowledge. The answer is not written directly but must be logically supported by what is written.

Information in surrounding words, sentences, or paragraphs that helps a reader work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word, such as a definition, example, contrast, or cause-effect relationship.

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in a particular context, such as begin and start. Synonym questions test whether a replacement keeps the sentence's meaning.

A word with the opposite meaning of another word, such as scarce and plentiful. Recognizing contrast signals like however or unlike helps readers spot antonym relationships in a passage.

The reason a writer produces a text, usually to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain a process. Purpose shapes word choice, structure, and how much evidence the writer includes.

The writer's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice and detail, such as humorous, critical, admiring, or matter-of-fact. Tone differs from mood, which is the feeling a reader gets.

The perspective from which a passage is told, such as first person (I, we), second person (you), or third person (he, she, they). It affects what information the reader can access.

The order in which events, steps, or ideas are presented. Signal words such as first, next, before, and finally help readers track chronology and process passages.

A relationship in which one event or condition makes another happen. Readers look for signal words such as because, therefore, as a result, and consequently to identify which is which.

A text structure that shows similarities and differences between two or more subjects. Signal words include similarly, both, unlike, whereas, and on the other hand.

A direct quotation or specific detail from a passage used to justify an answer or claim. Strong answers cite words from the text rather than relying on personal opinion.

A sentence, usually near the beginning of a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main point and controls the details that follow. Removing it often leaves the paragraph without direction.

The emotional or implied association a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Thin and skinny share a denotation, but skinny can suggest an unflattering judgment.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, separate from any emotional shading it carries. Precise reading questions sometimes ask you to separate denotation from connotation.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. Interrupting phrases, indefinite pronouns, and compound subjects are common traps on this kind of question.

The requirement that a pronoun match its antecedent in number, gender, and person. Errors appear when a singular noun like each student is followed by the plural pronoun their.

Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction. It can be fixed with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

A group of words punctuated as a sentence but lacking a subject, a complete verb, or an independent thought. Fragments often begin with words like although, because, or which.

A specific run-on error in which a comma alone joins two independent clauses. It is corrected with a semicolon, a period, or a comma plus a conjunction such as but or so.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb that can stand alone as a complete sentence. Recognizing clause boundaries is the key skill for punctuation questions.

The rule that descriptive words and phrases should sit close to what they describe. A misplaced or dangling modifier makes a sentence say something unintended or illogical.

Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparison, such as hiking, swimming, and biking rather than hiking, swimming, and to bike. It keeps sentences balanced and clear.

Keeping verbs in a logical tense within a sentence or passage unless a shift in time is clearly signaled. Unnecessary shifts confuse the order of events.

The punctuation mark that shows possession or marks a contraction. Its and it's are commonly confused: the first is possessive, the second means it is.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often written as 3:5 or 3/5. Ratio problems frequently ask you to scale a recipe, map, or mixture to a new total.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, such as 4/6 = 10/15. Cross multiplication solves proportions by setting the products of opposite terms equal.

A rate expressed per one unit of a given quantity, such as miles per hour or dollars per pound. To find it, divide the first quantity by the second.

A ratio comparing a number to 100. To find a percent of a number, convert the percent to a decimal and multiply, as in 0.25 times 80 equals 20.

The arithmetic average, found by adding all values and dividing by the number of values. It is sensitive to outliers, unlike the median.

The middle value of a data set arranged in order. With an even number of values, the median is the mean of the two middle numbers.

The value that appears most often in a data set. A set may have one mode, several modes, or no mode when all values occur equally often.

The agreed sequence for evaluating expressions: parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division left to right, then addition and subtraction left to right. Ignoring it changes the result.

Any whole number, including positive numbers, zero, and negative numbers, but no fractions or decimals. Integer questions often involve signs and number-line position.

The distance of a number from zero on the number line, always zero or positive. The absolute value of both 7 and negative 7 is 7.

The number of square units needed to cover a flat surface. Common formulas include length times width for rectangles and base times height divided by two for triangles.

The total distance around the outside of a closed figure, found by adding side lengths. For a rectangle, it equals twice the sum of length and width.

The amount of space a three-dimensional solid occupies, measured in cubic units. For a rectangular prism it is length times width times height.