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