PRAXIS Subject Content Knowledge (5511) 2024-2025 Study Guide – Key Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Science, and Science sections of the PRAXIS 5511 study guide.

Main Idea

The central point or message of a text.

Theme

The underlying message or insight about life revealed in a literary work.

Author’s Purpose

The reason for writing—typically to inform, persuade, or entertain.

Point of View

Perspective from which a story is told: first (I/we), second (you), or third person (he/she/they).

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things (e.g., “Time is a thief”).

Simile

A comparison using “like” or “as” (e.g., “as brave as a lion”).

Symbolism

Using symbols to represent ideas or concepts.

Personification

Giving human traits to non-human things.

Fiction

Imaginary or made-up stories.

Nonfiction

Texts based on facts and real events.

Poetry

Expressive writing using rhythm, imagery, and sometimes rhyme.

Drama

Literature written to be performed on stage.

Skimming

Quickly reading to identify main ideas.

Scanning

Searching a text for specific information or keywords.

Critical Reading

Analyzing and evaluating a text’s meaning and structure.

Declarative Sentence

A sentence that makes a statement.

Interrogative Sentence

A sentence that asks a question.

Imperative Sentence

A sentence that issues a command or request.

Exclamatory Sentence

A sentence that expresses strong emotion.

Subject-Verb Agreement

The rule that subjects and verbs must match in number (singular/plural).

Introduction (Essay)

The opening paragraph that presents the topic and thesis.

Body Paragraphs

Middle sections of an essay that develop main points with evidence.

Conclusion (Essay)

The final paragraph that summarizes and closes an essay.

Persuasive Writing

Writing intended to convince the reader of a viewpoint.

Expository Writing

Writing that explains or informs.

Narrative Writing

Writing that tells a story.

Descriptive Writing

Writing that appeals to the senses to describe details.

Active Voice

Sentence structure in which the subject performs the action (e.g., “The student read the book”).

Passive Voice

Sentence structure in which the subject receives the action (e.g., “The book was read by the student”).

Linear Equation

An equation in the form ax + b = c or ax + by = c.

Inequality

A mathematical statement using

Distributive Property

a(b + c) = ab + ac; used to simplify expressions.

Function Notation

Writing a function as f(x) to represent its output for input x.

Fraction

A number expressed as numerator over denominator.

Decimal

A number written using a decimal point.

Percentage

A fraction out of 100; found by multiplying a decimal by 100.

Reciprocal

The flipped version of a fraction; used for division of fractions.

Percentage Formula

(part ÷ whole) × 100.

Triangle Area

A = ½ × base × height.

Rectangle Area

A = length × width.

Circle Area

A = πr², where r is radius.

Perimeter

The sum of all side lengths of a two-dimensional shape.

Rectangular Prism Volume

V = length × width × height.

Cylinder Volume

V = πr²h.

Slope

Rate of change of a line: m = (y₂ − y₁)/(x₂ − x₁).

Equation of a Line

y = mx + b, where m is slope and b is y-intercept.

PEMDAS

Order of operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction.

Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

Largest factor shared by two numbers.

Least Common Multiple (LCM)

Smallest multiple shared by two numbers.

Even Numbers

Integers divisible by 2.

Odd Numbers

Integers not divisible by 2.

Prime Numbers

Numbers divisible only by 1 and themselves.

Composite Numbers

Numbers with factors other than 1 and themselves.

Integers

Whole numbers and their opposites (…-2,-1,0,1,2…).

Rational Numbers

Numbers that can be expressed as fractions.

Constitution

The supreme law of the United States establishing government structure and individual rights.

Bill of Rights

First ten U.S. amendments protecting fundamental freedoms.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document asserting the American colonies’ freedom from Britain and natural rights.

Legislative Branch

Makes laws; consists of Congress.

Executive Branch

Enforces laws; headed by the President.

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws; comprised of the court system.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery in the United States.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship and equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Prohibits voting discrimination based on race.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

26th Amendment

Lowered the U.S. voting age to 18.

Supply and Demand

Economic model where prices rise when demand exceeds supply and fall when supply exceeds demand.

Free-Market Economy

Economic system with private ownership and minimal government control.

Mixed Economy

System combining private enterprise with government regulation.

Command Economy

Economy in which the government controls production and prices.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Total value of all goods and services produced within a country.

Inflation

General rise in prices over time.

Unemployment Rate

Percentage of the labor force without jobs but actively seeking work.

Physical Geography

Study of natural features like mountains, rivers, and climate zones.

Human Geography

Study of human populations, cultures, and settlements.

Map Skills

Ability to read legends, scales, compass roses, and various map types.

Historical Analysis

Examining causes and effects of past events.

Chronology

Arranging events in the order they occurred.

Primary Source

Original document or firsthand account of an event.

Secondary Source

Interpretation or analysis based on primary sources.

Nucleus (Cell)

Organelle that controls cell activities and contains DNA.

Mitochondria

Organelle that produces cellular energy (ATP).

Chloroplast

Plant cell organelle where photosynthesis occurs.

Producers

Organisms that make their own food, typically via photosynthesis.

Consumers

Organisms that eat producers or other consumers.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead matter and recycle nutrients.

Parasitism

Relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed.

Commensalism

Relationship where one benefits and the other is unaffected.

Mutualism

Symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

Competition (Ecology)

Organisms vie for the same resources, harming both.

Circulatory System

Body system that transports blood, nutrients, and gases.

Respiratory System

Body system responsible for gas exchange (oxygen/carbon dioxide).

Nervous System

Controls body responses via nerves and brain.

Digestive System

Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.

Musculoskeletal System

Provides body support and movement; includes muscles and bones.

Immune System

Defends the body against disease and infections.

States of Matter

Solid, liquid, gas; can change via melting, freezing, evaporation, etc.

Atom

Smallest unit of an element consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Proton

Positively charged particle in an atom’s nucleus.

Neutron

Neutral particle in an atom’s nucleus.