PEIC Level 5 (C2) key terms

A conclusion drawn from evidence in a text rather than stated outright, requiring the reader to connect clues and background knowledge to what is implied.

Reading quickly to grasp the main idea or overall structure of a text while deliberately skipping detailed information, often used before closer reading.

Moving the eyes rapidly over a text to locate specific information such as a name, date, or figure without reading surrounding material closely.

The central meaning or general sense of a spoken or written text, understood without attention to every detail it contains.

The most important point a writer or speaker makes about a topic, which the remaining sentences or utterances support, explain, or illustrate.

A sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that announces the paragraph's controlling idea and signals what the following sentences will develop.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked through referencing words, conjunctions, and repeated vocabulary so a text reads as a connected whole.

The logical organisation of ideas in a text so that each part follows sensibly from the last and supports an overall purpose the reader can follow.

A word or phrase such as 'however', 'to sum up', or 'by the way' that signals how a speaker or writer relates one part of a message to another.

Meaning a speaker intends to convey indirectly, which the listener works out from context and shared assumptions rather than from the literal words used.

The degree of formality in language, chosen to suit a situation such as a job interview, a lecture, or a conversation with close friends.

The attitude a writer or speaker conveys towards the subject or audience, for example ironic, sympathetic, or critical, often shown through word choice.

The associations or emotional colouring a word carries beyond its dictionary meaning, which can affect how a reader judges the message.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, considered apart from the feelings or associations it may trigger in a reader or listener.

A sentence that states the central argument of an essay, usually appearing in the introduction and governing the content of every paragraph that follows.

The process of building a reasoned case by presenting claims, supporting them with evidence, and addressing counter-arguments in a structured way.

A point that opposes the writer's position, which a strong essay acknowledges and then answers in order to show the case has been considered thoroughly.

A direct response that weakens or answers an opposing point, often by showing a flaw in its reasoning or by supplying stronger evidence.

A restatement of someone else's idea in your own words and sentence structure, keeping the original meaning while changing the wording.

A reference showing the source of an idea, quotation, or fact, giving enough detail for a reader to locate the original material.

Presenting another person's words, ideas, or work as your own without proper acknowledgement, whether done deliberately or through careless note-taking.

Language such as 'may', 'tend to', or 'it appears that' used to soften a claim and show appropriate caution about how certain it is.

Words and phrases that guide a reader or listener through a text or talk, indicating what is coming next, such as 'firstly' or 'in conclusion'.

The final check of a written text for errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar before it is submitted or published.

Reviewing and revising a draft to improve clarity, structure, and style, going beyond surface correction to reshape content and expression.

Producing an initial version of a piece of writing in order to get ideas down, which will later be revised and refined.

A habitual pairing of words, such as 'make a decision' or 'heavy rain', that native speakers use naturally and that sounds odd when altered.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words, such as 'to break the ice'.

An incorrect option in a multiple-choice listening task that is designed to seem plausible, often by repeating words heard in the recording.

The way sounds change when words are spoken in a stream, through linking, elision, and weak forms, making listening harder than reading a transcript.

The dropping of a sound in rapid speech, as when the 't' disappears in 'next day', which can make familiar words hard to recognise.

A sound change in connected speech where one sound becomes more like a neighbouring one, for example the 'n' in 'ten bikes' sounding like 'm'.

The extra force given to particular syllables or words in speech, which carries meaning and helps listeners identify the important information.

The rise and fall of the voice across an utterance, which can signal a question, indicate the speaker's attitude, or mark the end of a turn.

The system by which speakers in a conversation decide who speaks next, using pauses, gestures, and phrases that signal they have finished.

Brief responses such as 'mm', 'right', or 'I see' that a listener gives to show attention and encourage the speaker to continue.

The ability to speak at a steady pace with few long pauses, allowing ideas to flow smoothly despite occasional self-correction or hesitation.

The process by which speakers check and repair understanding during a conversation, using questions, repetition, or reformulation until both parties are clear.