Confused by the vocabulary and terminology used in exam questions? This guide provides a comprehensive list of common terms and their meanings, helping you better understand what is being asked of you and improve your exam performance.
| 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 detailsPretend you are a detective and break the material into partsExplain how each part fits into the wholeWrite 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 differencesGive common characteristics/attributes – how are people, events, concepts or objects alike/ similar |
| Conjecture | Guess, estimate, infer |
| Contrast | Give characteristics or attributes about how people, events, concepts or objects are different |
| Deduce | Draw conclusions |
| 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 eventsUse adjectives to show size, shape, characteristics, colour and use |
| Discuss | Write/talk as if you were sharing your knowledge with someone elseUse 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 limitationsExpress an opinion based on your findings |
| Explain | Make it clear and simple to show your interpretation and understandingGive simple descriptions based on what you knowDescribe, giving reasons |
| Extract | Choose relevant details |
| 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 | Write down only facts |
| 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 passageYou 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 | Write a list of items |
| Mention | Refer to relevant points |
| Motivate | Give reasons and explain your answer |
| Name | State something – give, identify or mention |
| Outline | Organise important data/information in a logical wayUse numbers or letters to organise the information sequentially |
| Plot | Organise your thoughts and write on a piece of paperUse 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 clearlyGive reasons and examples if necessary |
| Suggest | Offer an explanation or solution |
| Summarize | Give the meaning in as few words as possibleRetell 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 |