Glossary of Question Words

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

Analyse

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Apply

Answer 3

Use, utilise, employ in a particular situation.

Question 4

Appreciate

Answer 4

Make a judgement about the value of.

Question 5

Assess

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Calculate

Answer 6

Ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information.

Question 7

Clarify

Answer 7

Make clear or plain.

Question 8

Classify

Answer 8

Arrange or include in classes/categories.

Question 9

Compare

Answer 9

Show how things are similar or different.

Question 10

Construct

Answer 10

Make; build; put together items or arguments.

Question 11

Contrast

Answer 11

Show how things are different or opposite

Question 12

Critically (analysis/evaluate)

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Deduce

Answer 13

Draw conclusions

Question 14

Define

Answer 14

State meaning and identify essential qualities

Question 15

Demonstrate

Answer 15

Show by example

Question 16

Describe

Answer 16

Provide characteristics and features

Question 17

Discuss

Answer 17

Identify issues and provide points for and/or against

Question 18

Distinguish

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Evaluate

Answer 19

Make a judgement based on criteria; determine the value of

Question 20

Examine

Answer 20

Inquire into

Question 21

Explain

Answer 21

Relate cause and effect;
Make the relationship between things evident;
Provide why and/or how

Question 22

Extract

Answer 22

Choose relevant and/or appropriate details

Question 23

Extrapolate

Answer 23

Infer from what is known

Question 24

Identify

Answer 24

Recognise and name

Question 25

Interpret

Answer 25

Draw meaning from

Question 26

Investigate

Answer 26

Plan, inquire into and draw conclusions about

Question 27

Justify

Answer 27

Support and argument or conclusion

Question 28

Outline

Answer 28

Sketch in general terms; indicate the main features of

Question 29

Predict

Answer 29

Suggest what may happen based on available information

Question 30

Propose

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Recall

Answer 31

Present remembered ideas, facts or experiences

Question 32

Recommend

Answer 32

Provide reasons in favour

Question 33

Recount

Answer 33

Retell a series of events

Question 34

Summarise

Answer 34

Express, concisely, the relevant details

Question 35

Synthesise

Answer 35

Putting together various elements to make a whole