command words

Question 1

analyze

Answer 1

examine in detail to show meaning, and to identify elements and the relationship between them

Question 2

assess

Answer 2

Make an informed judgement

Question 3

calculate

Answer 3

work out from given facts, figures or information

Question 4

comment

Answer 4

give an informed opinion

Question 5

compare

Answer 5

identify/comment on similarities and/or differences

Question 6

consider

Answer 6

Review and respond to given information

Question 7

contrast

Answer 7

identify/comment on differences

Question 8

define

Answer 8

give a precise meaning

Question 9

describe

Answer 9

state the points of a topic/give characteristics and main features

Question 10

develop

Answer 10

take forward to a more advanced stage or build upon given information

Question 11

discuss

Answer 11

write about issues or topics in depth in a structured way

Question 12

evaluate

Answer 12

judge or calculate the quality, importance, amount, or value of something

Question 13

explain

Answer 13

set out purposes or reasons/ make the relationships between things clear/ say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence

Question 14

give

Answer 14

produce an answer from a given source or recall/memory

Question 15

identify

Answer 15

name/select/recognize

Question 16

justify

Answer 16

support a case with evidence/argument

Question 17

outline

Answer 17

set out the main point

Question 18

predict

Answer 18

suggest what may happen based on available information

Question 19

sketch

Answer 19

make a simple freehand drawing showing the key features, taking care over proportions

Question 20

stste

Answer 20

express in clear terms

Question 21

suggest

Answer 21

apply knowledge and understanding to situations where they are a range of valid responses to make proposals/put forward considerations

Question 22

summarise

Answer 22

choose and present the main points, without detail