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