It is important to look for the question words (the words that tell you what to do) to correctly understand what the examiner is asking. Use the words in the following table as a guide when answering questions.
| Question word |
What is required of you |
| Account for |
- Explain the process or reason why something is the way it is
|
| Analyse |
- Pay attention to details
- Pretend you are a detective and break the material into parts
- Explain how each part fits into the whole
- Write the obvious as well as the hidden characteristics or meanings
|
| Argue |
- Give your personal point of view – facts, beliefs, opinions
|
| Calculate |
- Use figures to work out your answer
|
| Classify |
- Divide into groups or types so that things that are similar, are in the same group
|
| Comment |
- Discuss, criticise or explain
|
| Compare |
- Point out or show both similarities or differences
- Give common characteristics/attributes – how are people, events, concepts or objects alike/ similar
|
| Conjecture |
|
| Contrast |
- Give characteristics or attributes about how people, events, concepts or objects are different
|
| Deduce |
|
| Define |
- Give meanings in your own words
|
| Demonstrate |
- Write how to do something step-by-step
|
| Describe |
- Explain so the reader can visualise/understand the object, concept or events
- Use adjectives to show size, shape, characteristics, colour and use
|
| Discuss |
- Write/talk as if you were sharing your knowledge with someone else
- Use details and examples to explain the topic
|
| Effect |
- As in what effect? It is the consequence/result of an action
|
| Evaluate |
- In an evaluation question you are expected to present a careful appraisal of the problem stressing both advantages and limitations
- Express an opinion based on your findings
|
| Explain |
- Make it clear and simple to show your interpretation and understanding
- Give simple descriptions based on what you know
- Describe, giving reasons
|
| Extract |
|
| Factors |
- Give reasons, features, causes, influences
|
| Forecast |
- Say what you think will happen in the future
|
| Give a reason |
- Give examples to explain why something is the way it is
|
| Give/ provide |
|
| Hypothesis |
- An opinion/theory/assumption to be proved
|
| Indicate |
- Point out, make something known
|
| Identify |
- Name the essential characteristics
|
| Infer |
- Read between the lines – the answer is not in the passage
- You make meaning from information or clues the author provides
|
| Interpret |
- Give your opinion of the information based on your experiences and information you find in the text
|
| Justify |
- Give evidence to support your point of view
|
| List |
|
| Mention |
|
| Motivate |
- Give reasons and explain your answer
|
| Name |
- State something – give, identify or mention
|
| Outline |
- Organise important data/information in a logical way
- Use numbers or letters to organise the information sequentially
|
| Plot |
- Organise your thoughts and write on a piece of paper
- Use a grid, graphic design, picture, chart, or matrix
|
| Predict |
- Make a suggestion based on the information available of what the outcome would be
|
| Prove |
- Give evidence, facts which explains why an argument is true
|
| Sketch |
- Draw a rough outline, plan or picture to explain or show something
|
| State |
- Explain important information clearly
- Give reasons and examples if necessary
|
| Suggest |
- Offer an explanation or solution
|
| Summarize |
- Give the meaning in as few words as possible
- Retell the most important facts and essential details in as few words as you can
|
| Support your answer |
- Give examples, reasons or an explanation
|
| Trace |
- Put events, experiences or thoughts in order or on a timeline
|
