Command Terms

Question 1

Identify

Answer 1

Recognise and name an item

Question 2

How to ‘identify’

Answer 2

Statement
Brief explanation
Example

Question 3

Define

Answer 3

Accurately state or explain the meaning of the term

Question 4

How to ‘define’

Answer 4

Statement
Explain
Example

Question 5

Outline

Answer 5

Briefly indicate the key features

Question 6

How to ‘outline’

Answer 6

Statement
Explain
Example

Question 7

Distinguish

Answer 7

To recognise or show points of difference, note the distinctive characteristics

Question 8

How to ‘distinguish’

Answer 8

Describe
Describe (using a connecting word) for the other feature
Explain the distinction between each of the features or items

Question 9

Describe

Answer 9

Provide a detailed account of something

Question 10

How to ‘describe’

Answer 10

Statement
Explain
Example
Link

Question 11

Explain

Answer 11

To make the meaning of something clear and understandable

Question 12

How to ‘explain’

Answer 12

Statement
Explain
Example
Link

Question 13

Justify

Answer 13

Support with clear reasoning using the information given

Question 14

How to ‘justify’

Answer 14

Statement
Explain
Example
Link

Question 15

Compare

Answer 15

Bring together the points of likeness and difference; you need to explain how they are different and alike

Question 16

How to ‘compare’

Answer 16

State the similarity
Explain the similarity
State the difference
Explain the difference

Question 17

Illustrate and Using and example

Answer 17

Provide an example to support your statement

Question 18

How to ‘illustrate’ and ‘use an example’

Answer 18

Statement
Explain
Example
Link

Question 19

To what extent

Answer 19

The degree to which something (such as an institution, procedure or law) fulfils a purpose or principle

Question 20

How to state ‘to what extent’

Answer 20

Statement (the extent it fulfils it’s purpose)
Explain (identify the gaps)
Example
Link (include a conclusion summarising your contention and, using the words ‘to a great extent, or to a limited extent’, state to what extent the principle or feature fulfils it’s purpose.

Question 21

Discuss

Answer 21

Examine an issue or response and state arguments or opinions covering both sides of the issue or response involved in the stimulus material.

Question 22

How to ‘discuss’

Answer 22

Show one side of the issue:
Statement
Explain
Example
Linking sentence
Show the other side of the issue:
Statement
Explain
Example
Link

Question 23

Evaluate

Answer 23

Carefully examine the different parts of something (positive and negative) and make a judgement.

Question 24

How to ‘evaluate’

Answer 24

State the strength
Explain
Example
Link the justification
State the weakness
Explain
Example
Justify
Concluding statement

Question 25

Analyse

Answer 25

Identify the parts in a document or point of view and clarify the relationship between them. Describe and relate implications in the argument.

Question 26

How to ‘analyse’

Answer 26

State the parts
Explain the relationship
Example of the purpose
Link the feature to the purpose and implication

Question 27

Examine

Answer 27

Inspect thoroughly to determine if appropriate

Question 28

How to ‘examine’

Answer 28

Statement; Provide a statement about the topic (an introduction)
Inspect; examine one or more parts in depth and apply them to the case.
Example; include an example to illustrate your point (repeat inspect and example as necessary)
Determine if appropriate; give your opinion.