Glossary of exam terms

Question 1

State/give

Answer 1

Concise answer
Little of no supporting argument
Fact or piece of info

Question 2

List

Answer 2

Set of concise answers
Little or no supporting evidence
If asked for a certain number do not do more than asked

Question 3

Define

Answer 3

Formal statement as seen in a science dictionary

Do not use the word which you are defining

Question 4

Outline

Answer 4

Brief answer
Essential info
Amount of detail allocated in mark allocation

Question 5

Describe

Answer 5

Full account with as much detail as the mark allocation suggests 
Some may want an explanation 
Use technical terms 
Use definitions 
Diagrams may be used 
- label, annotate and a scale 
- add to answer not repeat

Question 6

Describe with the aid of a diagram

Answer 6

Illustrate written answer with a fully-labelled diagram

Question 7

Explain

Answer 7

Describe and give reasons
1st - define or describe
2nd - write about reasons, processes, methods and interpretations

Question 8

Suggest

Answer 8

Put forward one idea from 2/3 possibilities

Back up with reasons

Question 9

Compare

Answer 9

Full account of bot features 
Describe both features 
Full details 
Don't use the word 'it' - repeat noun instead 
Write about BOTH

Question 10

Compare and contrast

Answer 10

Write a full account of each
Compare - similarities
Contrast - differences
Write about BOTH

Question 11

Distinguish

Answer 11

Describe and explain the differences that allow you to identify which is which
Write about BOTH

Question 12

Discuss

Answer 12

Describe 
Explain 
Discuss 
Give both sides of the argument 
Some king of weighting regarding strength of point 
Be critical 
Conclude

Question 13

Evaluate

Answer 13

Describe 
Explain 
Discuss 
Value judgement with reasons 
More rigorous analysis 
Definite conclusion

Question 14

Estimate

Answer 14

Sensible approximation

Question 15

Measure

Answer 15

Use a ruler/protractor to get an accurate result

Question 16

Calculate

Answer 16

Exact answer
Show workings
Check units

Question 17

Determine

Answer 17

Use know values

Standard formula

Question 18

Sketch

Answer 18

Neat 
Well drawn 
Freehand 
To scale 
Precise labels and scales
Put a frame around it

Question 19

Draw

Answer 19

More precise
Correct measurements
Diagram = one
Diagrams = different views

Question 20

Diagrams

Answer 20

Neat 
Clear 
Well labelled 
Scale 
Title 
Show relationships and interpretations 
Put a frame around it 
Head of arrow must touch feature being identified 
Standard symbols and shading

Question 21

Preparation

Answer 21

Look at scale diagrams of each type of: 
Fossil 
Rock texture 
Plate margin 
volcano 
sedimentary structure