These words (measurable verbs) will help you understand the questions you will be asked in your assessment so you can demonstrate your level of learning.

There will be variations between subjects on what is expected with some words so your teacher will elaborate on these at the appropriate time in class. If you are unsure of what is expected, ask your teacher immediately.

Always read a question in relation to the work you are doing to help you understand what you must do.

Analyse

By using the main ideas, say how they are related, and why they are important, and make judgements and conclusions

Argue

Present a case for and/or against a concept or situation

Assess

Make a judgement about an idea, topic, or situation, similar to evaluate

Calculate

Show an equation to answer a question

Compare

Identify and describe any similarities and differences between two or more subjects

Contrast

Show the difference between things

Define

Clearly state the meaning and list the qualities, traits, and characteristics

Demonstrate

Show by what you write, say or do, that you understand

Describe

Provide information such as who, what, when, where, and how about a topic

Devise

Plan or invent something

Discuss

Consider and offer an interpretation or evaluation of something or give a judgment on the value of arguments for and against something by pointing out the advantages and disadvantages.

Evaluate

Make a judgment about an idea or topic with your reasoning

Examine

Investigate or inspect closely, and give an opinion on your observation

Explain

Give reasons for a particular event or situation. State the ‘how’ and ‘why’, account for causes, results, and implications. Use examples to support your explanation.

Identify

Recognize specific facts or details

Illustrate

Provide examples, such as tables, figures, graphs, or concrete research statistics and evidence to support your answer

Integrate

Combine two or more ideas and explain how they work together

Interpret

Show your personal understanding of a topic, issue, or situation

Justify

Give reasons and provide a balanced argument by considering opinions that are contrary to your own before stating your conclusion

Label

To put a name to something

List

Find examples or facts and list them with no description etc.

Outline

To give brief information about something

Predict

Say what will happen in the future or will be a consequence of something

Prioritise

Put your reasons or evidence in order of importance

Prove

Support with facts or evidence

Retell

To repeat something usually in your own words

Show

Present, in a logical order, and with reference to relevant evidence the stages and combination of factors that cause something

Solve

Work out the answer to something

State

To identify what something is without any detail or length

Summarise

To make something shorter by condensing the main points or facts

Synthesise

To bring all parts together to make something new

Secondary Words

These words will clarify the measurable verbs and tell you what is further expected in the answer.

Convincingly

Clear, organised, and relevant points used

Perceptively

Show originality and insight that is beyond the obvious

With Insight

Show you have a clear understanding that is beyond the obvious

Concisely

Brief and to the point

Critically

Respond with judgement by developing an argument with evidence

Comprehensively

Has both breadth and depth

To what extent

Show how far you agree with a proposition put forward in the question

With Depth

Your thoughts and ideas are in detail

With Breadth

You have used a wide number of ideas or examples to support you answer