PEIC Level 1 (A2) key terms

The most important point that a text is about. When you read, ask yourself what the whole text says, not just one small part of it.

A small piece of information in a text, such as a name, a number, a time or a place. Questions often ask you to find one detail.

The large title printed above a news story in a newspaper or on a website. It tells you quickly what the story is about.

A short written message on paper or a board that gives people information or tells them what to do, for example 'No smoking' or 'School closed today'.

A text, picture or short film that tries to make people buy something or use a service. It often has a price, a picture and words like 'buy now'.

A group of sentences about one idea. A new paragraph starts on a new line, and the first line often begins a little way in from the edge.

To move your eyes quickly over a text to find one piece of information, for example a name, a price or a time, without reading every word.

To read a text very quickly to understand what it is about in general. You do not stop to read or translate every word.

A task where you decide if each sentence about a text is correct or not correct. You write 'true' if the text says it and 'false' if it does not.

The name of a book, article, story or film. It is usually printed in large letters at the top and tells you what the text is about.

A group of words that gives a complete idea. In English it starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop, a question mark or an exclamation mark.

The large form of a letter, like A, B or C. In English we use it at the start of a sentence and for days, months, countries and people's names.

The small dot (.) that you put at the end of a sentence that is not a question. It shows the reader that the sentence has finished.

The sign (?) that you put at the end of a sentence when you are asking something. It takes the place of a full stop.

The small mark (,) used inside a sentence to separate items in a list or to show a short pause. You do not use it to end a sentence.

The small mark (') used in short forms like 'I'm' and 'don't', and to show that something belongs to someone, as in 'Anna's bag'.

The first words of a letter, email or message, such as 'Dear Sam,' or 'Hello Anna,'. It shows who you are writing to.

The words at the end of a letter or email before your name, such as 'Best wishes' or 'See you soon'. It ends the message politely.

The largest number of words you may use in a writing task. If the task says 'write about 30 words', you should not write many more.

A document with spaces or boxes where you write your personal information, for example your name, address and date of birth.

The sound you hear in a listening test. It may be a conversation, a message or an announcement, and you usually hear it two times.

A person who is talking. In a conversation there are two or more speakers, and you need to know who says what.

A talk between two or more people. In a listening test you often hear a short conversation and then answer questions about it.

A short spoken message that gives information to many people at once, for example at an airport, a station or a school.

To listen in order to catch small pieces of information, such as a time, a price, a name or a number. You do not try to understand every word.

The general meaning of what someone says or what you read. Understanding the gist means you know the main point even if some words are new.

A task with a question and three or more possible answers. You must choose the one correct answer, usually by circling a letter.

A wrong answer in a listening or reading task that sounds or looks correct. It often repeats a word from the recording but gives the wrong information.

To say what someone or something is like, using words about appearance, size, colour, feelings or actions. In the test you may describe a picture or a person.

To speak one after the other in a conversation. You wait until the other person has finished, and then you speak.

An extra question you ask after someone answers, to get more information, for example 'Why?' or 'Where did you go?'.

The way words sound when you say them. Good pronunciation means people can understand you easily, even if your grammar is not perfect.

A small card that gives you a topic and some points to talk about. You look at it for a short time, then you speak about it.

A speaking task where you pretend to be in a real situation, for example buying a ticket or ordering food, and you talk with the examiner.

To say how two things are the same and how they are different, using words like 'bigger', 'the same as' or 'but'.

To say what you think about something, using phrases like 'I think', 'In my opinion' or 'I prefer', and then give a reason.