This glossary explains the terms that appear in SPM English questions and teacher feedback. Each entry gives a short meaning, an example, and the term it is easily mixed up with.
The terms belong to SPM English. For a version that pairs each term with Malay and Chinese explanations, use the terminology bridge. Check paper details in the English exam guide.
Reading and understanding terms
| Term | Meaning | Example | Confused with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main idea | The central point of a paragraph or text | “The passage argues that school gardens teach responsibility” | Detail |
| Supporting detail | A fact or example that backs up the main idea | “Students watered the plants each morning” | Main idea |
| Inference | A conclusion the text supports but does not state | “Sam closed the window and put on a jacket” suggests the room was cold | Assumption |
| Assumption | A belief added by the reader with no support in the text | “He must be rich because he has a phone” | Inference |
| Fact | A statement that can be checked | “The fair was held on 12 March” | Opinion |
| Opinion | A statement of belief or judgement | “The fair was the best event of the year” | Fact |
| Writer’s attitude | The feeling the writer shows toward the topic | The word “disappointing” shows disapproval | Mood |
| Reference | A word that points to another word or idea | “They” pointing back to “the players” | Synonym |
Language and writing terms
| Term | Meaning | Example | Confused with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohesion | How sentences link so the text flows | “However” and “as a result” linking two ideas | Coherence |
| Coherence | How ideas fit together to make sense overall | Every paragraph supports one topic | Cohesion |
| Topic sentence | A sentence that states a paragraph’s main point | “Recycling saves the school money.” | Summary sentence |
| Transition | A word or phrase that moves the reader between ideas | “Meanwhile”, “In contrast” | Conjunction |
| Connector | A word that joins clauses or sentences | “because”, “although” | Preposition |
| Clause | A group of words with a subject and a verb | “because the bus was late” | Phrase |
| Phrase | A group of words without a full subject and verb | “after the match” | Clause |
| Register | The level of formality in language | “Dear Sir” versus “Hi there” | Tone |
| Tone | The attitude a writer or speaker shows | A calm, polite tone in a complaint | Register |
Question words and what they ask for
| Term | Meaning | Example | Confused with |
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Give the answer without explanation | “State the writer’s purpose.” | Explain |
| Explain | Give the reason or how | “Explain why the writer uses questions.” | State |
| Justify | Give the answer and the evidence for it | “Justify your choice using the text.” | Describe |
| Describe | Say what something is like | “Describe the mood in paragraph two.” | Explain |
| Summarise | Give the main points briefly in your own words | “Summarise the causes of the delay.” | Copy |
| Compare | Show how two things are alike and how they differ | “Compare the two schedules.” | Contrast |
| Contrast | Show only how two things differ | “Contrast the two writers’ attitudes.” | Compare |
How should you use this page?
Pick a term from your latest feedback, read the meaning, and try the example in your own words. Then look for the same term in your next practice answer.
To practise the reading terms, see gapped text and information transfer and grammar repair. To have a teacher explain a term on your own work, see online one-to-one English tuition.