Key terms & definitions

A comparison that examines both similarities and differences and explains how writers’ choices shape meaning.

A reasoned judgement about a text’s effectiveness or impact, supported by evidence.

A reasoned judgement that weighs advantages, disadvantages and consequences before reaching a justified conclusion.

An evidence-based judgement about an action's effectiveness, including its achievements, limitations and possible improvements.

A conclusion about a text reached by weighing its details and effects, rather than giving an unsupported personal opinion.

A judgement that considers how parts of an extract work together, rather than treating each detail separately.

Reading thoughtfully, weighing evidence and interpretations rather than accepting a claim without questioning it. Being critical does not necessarily mean being negative.

An interpretation supported by evidence and reasoned judgement, rather than a summary of events or an unsupported opinion.

An evidence-based way of writing that explains and judges the significance of a text rather than simply retelling its events.

The ability to assess claims, compare evidence and reach an independent judgement rather than simply accepting authority.

A trial in which the researcher creates the condition being investigated. In Asch’s study, the confederates unanimously gave an incorrect answer.

A value of x where the corresponding quadratic expression equals zero; it marks a possible boundary between solution intervals.

Writing that weighs evidence, explanations or methods by examining their strengths, limitations and implications.

A small rented agricultural holding in Scotland.

A small agricultural holding, especially in the Highlands and islands of Scotland.

A small-scale farmer in the Scottish Highlands.

Trimming unwanted material from a printed sheet to produce the required final dimensions.

Changing the crops grown in a field over successive years. In the three-field system, crops and a fallow year rotated between the fields.

Growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same land, rather than growing the same crop continuously.

Growing different crops on an area of land in successive years; avoiding susceptible crops can help reduce transmission of a plant pathogen.

The amount of crop produced per unit area of farmland.

The mass of crop harvested from a given area of land.

The amount of crop harvested, often expressed per unit area of farmland.

The amount of a crop harvested from a given area of land.

A Christian symbol recalling Jesus’ crucifixion and expressing belief in his saving death; an empty cross can also emphasise his resurrection.

A weapon with a bow mounted across a stock, which shoots a bolt rather than a conventional arrow.

The transfer of an unwanted food substance, such as gluten, to another food through shared equipment, surfaces or handling.

The unintended transfer of material from one sample to another, which can produce an incorrect result.

The unintended transfer of a substance between materials or products, which can make a product unsuitable for its intended users.

The transfer of harmful microorganisms from contaminated food, people, equipment or surfaces to other food.