Glossary of key words in questions

Question 1

Account

Answer 1

Account for: state reasons for, report on.

Give an account of: narrate a series of events or transactions

Question 2

Advise

Answer 2

Recommend or inform

Question 3

Analyse

Answer 3

Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications

Question 4

Apply

Answer 4

Use, utilise, employ in a particularly situation

Question 5

Argue

Answer 5

Make a case, based on appropriate evidence, for and/or against some given point of view

Question 6

Assess

Answer 6

Make a judgement of value, quality, outcomes, results or size

Question 7

Calculate

Answer 7

Ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information

Question 8

Choose (multiple-choice)

Answer 8

Decide or select the most suitable from a number of different options

Question 9

Clarify

Answer 9

Make clear or plan

Question 10

Classify

Answer 10

Arrange or include in classes/categories

Question 11

Comment on

Answer 11

Make reference to and expand upon

Question 12

Compare

Answer 12

Show how things are similar and different

Question 13

Complete

Answer 13

Finish an outlined task

Question 14

Consider

Answer 14

Reflect on and make a judgement/evaluation

Question 15

Construct

Answer 15

Make; build; put together items or arguments

Question 16

Contrast

Answer 16

Show how things are different or opposite

Question 17

Correlate

Answer 17

Demonstrate a mutual or complementary relationship

Question 18

Create

Answer 18

Make, invent something

Question 19

Critically (analyse/evaluate)

Answer 19

Add a degree or level of accuracy depth, knowledge and understanding, logic, questioning, reflection and quality to analyse/evaluate

Question 20

Debate

Answer 20

Develop a logical (sometimes persuasive) argument, giving differing views in response to a topic

Question 21

Deduce

Answer 21

Draw conclusions

Question 22

Define

Answer 22

State meaning and identify essential qualities

Question 23

Demonstrate

Answer 23

Show by example

Question 24

Describe

Answer 24

Provide characteristics and features

Question 25

Determine

Answer 25

Decide, find out

Question 26

Discuss

Answer 26

Identify issues and provide points for and/or against

Question 27

Distinguish

Answer 27

Recognise or note/indicate as being distinct or different from; note differences between

Question 28

Draw (diagrams etc)

Answer 28

An instruction, as in draw a circle

Question 29

Evaluate

Answer 29

To ascertain the value or amount of; appraise carefully

Question 30

Examine

Answer 30

Inquire into

Question 31

Explain

Answer 31

Relate cause and effect; make the relationships between things evident; provide why and/or how

Question 32

Explore

Answer 32

Investigate, search for or evaluate

Question 33

Extract

Answer 33

Choose relevant and/or appropriate details

Question 34

Extrapolate

Answer 34

Infer from what is known

Question 35

Identify

Answer 35

Recognise and name

Question 36

Illustrate

Answer 36

Similar to ‘explain’ (see above), but requires the quoting of specific examples or statistics or possibly the drawing of maps, graphs, sketches, etc.

Question 37

Interpret

Answer 37

Draw meaning from

Question 38

Investigate

Answer 38

To plan, search or inquire into; examine in order to obtain the true facts

Question 39

Justify

Answer 39

Support an argument or conclusion; give reasons for your statements or comments

Question 40

Label (and annotate)

Answer 40

Identify by placing a name or word used to describe the object or thing

Question 41

List

Answer 41

Provide a series of related words, names, numbers or items that are arranged in order, one after the other

Question 42

Name

Answer 42

Provide a word or term used to identify an object, person, thing, place etc. (something that is known and distinguished from other people or things)

Question 43

Outline

Answer 43

Sketch in general terms; indicate the main features of

Question 44

Predict

Answer 44

Suggest what may happen based on available information

Question 45

Prepare (i.e. in accounting)

Answer 45

Take the necessary action to put something into a state where it is fit for use or action, or for a particular event or purpose

Question 46

Present (an argument)

Answer 46

Offer or convey something such as an argument or statement to somebody formally; a discussion that offers different points of view on an issue or topic; debate

Question 47

Propose

Answer 47

Put forward (for example, a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration or action

Question 48

Recall

Answer 48

Present remembered ideas, facts or experiences

Question 49

Recommend

Answer 49

Provide reasons in favour

Question 50

Recount

Answer 50

Retell a series of events

Question 51

Respond to…

Answer 51

Provide an answer; reply

Question 52

Select

Answer 52

Choose somebody or something from among several

Question 53

Show

Answer 53

Give information; illustrate

Question 54

Sketch

Answer 54

A picture or diagram that is done quickly, roughly; a brief outline

Question 55

State

Answer 55

Express the main points of an idea or topic, perhaps in the manner of ‘describe’ (see above)

Question 56

Summarise

Answer 56

Express, concisely, the relevant details

Question 57

Synthesise

Answer 57

Put together various elements to make a whole; gather all ideas and combine them into a complex whole; combine all parts