Command Words

Question 1

Analyse

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Analyse

Answer 2

make an informed judgement

Question 3

Comment

Answer 3

give an informed opinion

Question 4

Compare

Answer 4

identify/comment on similarities and/or

Question 5

Consider

Answer 5

review and respond to given information

Question 6

Contrast

Answer 6

identify/comment on differences

Question 7

Define

Answer 7

give precise meaning

Question 8

Demonstrate

Answer 8

show how or give an example

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 issue(s) or topic(s) in depth in a structured way

Question 12

Evaluate

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Examine

Answer 13

investigate closely, in detail

Question 14

Explain

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Give

Answer 15

produce an answer from a given source or recall/memory

Question 16

Identify

Answer 16

name/select/recognise

Question 17

Justify

Answer 17

support a case with evidence/argument

Question 18

Outline

Answer 18

set out main points

Question 19

State

Answer 19

express in clear terms

Question 20

Suggest

Answer 20

apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses in order to make proposals

Question 21

Summarise

Answer 21

select and present the main points, without detail