PSAT 10 key terms

The central point a passage is built to communicate, stated or implied. It is broader than any single detail and is supported by most of the sentences in the text.

A specific fact, example, statistic, or quotation that backs up a claim in a passage. Questions often ask which detail best strengthens or weakens a stated point.

A conclusion drawn from clues in the text plus reasonable logic, rather than stated outright. Valid inferences must be defensible using only what the passage provides.

A word, phrase, or sentence quoted or referenced from a passage to justify an answer. Strong answers cite evidence that directly addresses the question rather than merely relating to the topic.

The skill of choosing the quotation, data point, or graph result that most directly supports, weakens, or qualifies a claim. It tests relevance and logical fit, not memorized facts.

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

The attitude a writer conveys toward the subject, shown through word choice and sentence style. Tone may be skeptical, admiring, urgent, or neutral, and it differs from the reader's mood.

The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its dictionary meaning. Choosing between 'thrifty' and 'stingy' changes tone even though both describe careful spending.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, independent of emotional shading. Questions about precise word meaning often hinge on distinguishing denotation from connotation.

Surrounding words, examples, or contrasts in a sentence that help a reader infer an unfamiliar word's meaning. They include definitions, restatements, and logical opposites within the text.

A word or phrase linking ideas across sentences or paragraphs, signaling contrast, cause, addition, or sequence. Choosing the right transition depends on the logical relationship, not on length.

The quality of a text whose sentences and paragraphs connect smoothly through clear references, repeated key terms, and appropriate transitions. Weak cohesion leaves readers unsure how ideas relate.

The combination of writer, audience, purpose, and context that shapes how a text is composed. Analyzing it helps explain why a writer chooses a particular format, tone, or appeal.

The main assertion an argument asks readers to accept, usually stated in a thesis or topic sentence. Every supporting reason and piece of evidence should trace back to it.

A reasoned case in which a writer states a position and defends it with evidence and logic. Strong arguments anticipate objections and avoid relying on emotion alone.

An objection or opposing view that a writer acknowledges and responds to. Addressing it can strengthen credibility by showing the writer has considered alternatives fairly.

A statement presented as true because data, research, or documented examples support it. It differs from opinion because it can be checked against outside sources.

Reading values, trends, and comparisons from tables or graphs and connecting them to a passage's claim. It requires attention to units, labels, and what the data do not show.

Combining information from two or more passages or sources to form a unified understanding. Questions may ask how one text's findings complicate or confirm another's.

A brief restatement of a text's main points in the reader's own words, omitting minor details. A good summary preserves the original emphasis and does not add new claims.

How a sentence is built from clauses and phrases, including whether it is simple, compound, or complex. Structural choices affect emphasis, clarity, and rhythm in writing.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause cannot and must attach to a main clause.

An error in which two independent clauses are joined by only a comma. It can be fixed with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

A word, phrase, or clause that describes or limits another element in a sentence. A misplaced or dangling modifier appears to describe the wrong word, creating confusion.

Marks such as commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes that clarify grammatical relationships and meaning. Correct use depends on sentence structure rather than on pauses in speech.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number, singular or plural. Interrupting phrases and inverted word order often hide the true subject from a careless reader.

The clarity with which a pronoun points back to a specific noun. Ambiguous or missing antecedents make sentences confusing and are common targets in editing questions.

Selecting words that are precise, appropriate for the audience, and consistent in tone. Revision questions often test whether a simpler or more exact word improves a sentence.

An equation whose graph is a straight line and whose variables appear to the first power, such as y = 3x - 5. Its constant rate of change is the slope.

The rate at which a line rises or falls, computed as change in y divided by change in x between two points. It describes how one quantity changes per unit of another.

The value of y where a graph crosses the vertical axis, occurring when x equals zero. In applied problems it often represents a starting amount or fixed cost.

Two or more equations solved together so that a common solution satisfies all of them. Graphically, the solution is the point or points where the graphs intersect.

A solving method in which one variable is expressed in terms of another and inserted into a second equation. It reduces a system to a single equation in one variable.

A solving method in which equations are added or subtracted, sometimes after multiplying, to cancel one variable. The goal is to obtain one equation with one unknown.

A function of the form f(x) = ax squared + bx + c with a not equal to zero, whose graph is a parabola. Its key features include the vertex, roots, and axis of symmetry.

The U-shaped curve that graphs a quadratic function. It opens upward when the leading coefficient is positive and downward when it is negative.

The highest or lowest point on a parabola, located on its axis of symmetry. In applied models it often represents a maximum profit or minimum cost.

Rewriting an expression as a product of simpler expressions, used to solve quadratic equations set equal to zero. It relies on the zero product property.

A way of writing a relationship as f(x) = expression, where f names the function and x is the input. Evaluating f(3) means substituting 3 for x.

How much an output quantity changes per unit change in the input, often an average over an interval. For a linear function it is constant and equals the slope.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, solved by cross-multiplying. Proportions model scaling, unit conversion, and similar-figure problems.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often written as a fraction or with a colon. Ratios may describe parts of a whole or one group relative to another.

A rate expressed per one unit of the second quantity, such as miles per hour or dollars per pound. It makes comparisons across different sizes straightforward.

The difference between a new and original value, divided by the original value and expressed as a percent. It quantifies increase or decrease relative to the starting amount.

Laws for combining powers, such as adding exponents when multiplying like bases and multiplying them when raising a power to a power. They also cover zero and negative exponents.

A compact way to write very large or small numbers as a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. It simplifies comparing magnitudes and computing with extremes.

The arithmetic average, found by adding all values and dividing by how many there are. It is sensitive to extreme values, unlike the median.

The middle value of a data set arranged in order, or the average of the two middle values when the count is even. It resists distortion by outliers.

A measure of how spread out values are around the mean. A larger standard deviation means data points are more dispersed from the average.

The likelihood of an event, calculated as favorable outcomes divided by total equally likely outcomes. Probabilities range from 0 for impossible to 1 for certain.

A triangle containing one 90-degree angle, whose sides satisfy the Pythagorean theorem. Trigonometric ratios are defined using its side lengths.

The relationship a squared + b squared = c squared for the legs and hypotenuse of a right triangle. It is used to find unknown distances and to test for right angles.

Shapes with equal corresponding angles and proportional side lengths. Their scale factor relates lengths, while areas scale by the square of that factor.

A ratio of two sides of a right triangle, such as sine, cosine, or tangent, tied to an acute angle. These ratios connect angle measures to side lengths.

An equation in the form (x - h) squared + (y - k) squared = r squared, describing a circle centered at (h, k) with radius r. Completing the square converts expanded forms into this standard form.

The amount of three-dimensional space a solid occupies, measured in cubic units. Formulas differ by shape, and scaling dimensions affects volume by the cube of the scale factor.