Instructional terms

Question 1

Account for

Answer 1

State reasons to explain an event or why something exists.

Question 2

Analyse

Answer 2

Show the essence of something (e.g. a situation or a map) by breaking it down into separate points and critically examining the relationship between each part.

Question 3

Annotate

Answer 3

Add labels, comments or explanatory notes to images, maps, graphs, diagrams or text.

Question 4

Apply

Answer 4

Use particular skills or incorporate specific information and ideas to a situation.

Question 5

Asses

Answer 5

Weigh up the value of or judge the strengths and weaknesses of something. Similar to ‘evaluate’, but more about the overall situation.

Question 6

Calculate

Answer 6

Use data or statistics provided in various forms to determine an answer.

Question 7

Categorise

Answer 7

Arrange or group by distinctive characteristics.

Question 8

Clarify

Answer 8

Make clear or simplify facts, opinions, issues or arguments.

Question 9

Classify

Answer 9

See ‘categorise’.

Question 10

Comment on

Answer 10

Give an opinion and explain reasons for support or a lack of support for an idea or issue. Can involve discussing the relevance or merit of a provided statement.

Question 11

Compare

Answer 11

Show the similarities or differences when examining two situations, events, ideas, features or processes.

Question 12

Consider

Answer 12

Think about what has been observed about something, being able to support observations using appropriate evidence.

Question 13

Construct

Answer 13

Put together an argument, point of view or a series of reasons to account for a particular situation. It also means to create, develop or draw a map, diagram, graph or table.

Question 14

Contrast

Answer 14

Highlight the differences when examining two or more situations, events, ideas, features, or processes.

Question 15

Define

Answer 15

Provide a meaning or identify the essential qualities of a key term word or expression.

Question 16

Demonstrate

Answer 16

Show or provide proof by using examples form specific case studies, events or issues.

Question 17

Describe

Answer 17

Provide characteristics of a situation explaining what is observed.

Question 18

Design

Answer 18

Decide upon the look and functioning of a product such as a map, diagram or social survey.

Question 19

Distinguish

Answer 19

Identify what is different between one or more similar situations or phenomena.

Question 20

Discuss

Answer 20

Show understanding of a situation, where appropriate, by producing both sides of a situation, issue or event. Include the strengths and weaknesses of available data. Usually involves more detail than ‘explain’.

Question 21

Evaluate

Answer 21

Weigh up and interpret a statement, viewpoint or situation and state a conclusion about its value or importance. Similar to ‘assess’, but with a focus on the outcome or result, Include consideration of different opinions.

Question 22

Evaluate the relative importance of

Answer 22

A combination of ‘rank’ and ‘evaluate’.

Question 23

Explain

Answer 23

Relate cause and effect. Give reasons why a situation exists or a process occurs.

Question 24

Explore

Answer 24

Adopt a questioning approach, looking at all aspects of the situation, including points for and against. Similar to ‘discuss’.

Question 25

Identify

Answer 25

Establish the nature of a situation by distinguishing its features and naming them.

Question 26

Illustrate

Answer 26

Make something clear and explicit, by providing examples or evidence. May require the use of visual representations (eg. maps, diagrams, tables, graphs and statistics).

Question 27

Interpret

Answer 27

Examine visual data such as a map, graph or diagram, to make sense of what is being depicted and to draw conclusions.

Question 28

Justify

Answer 28

Use examples or find sufficient evidence to show why, in your opinion, a viewpoint or conclusion is correct.

Question 29

Observe

Answer 29

Identify significant items from numerical or visual data, or fieldwork.

Question 30

Outline

Answer 30

Summarise the main points of given information, or events, in a situation.

Question 31

Predict

Answer 31

Suggest what may happen in a given situation based on evidence gathered.

Question 32

Quantify

Answer 32

Use numbers or statistics to describe a phenomenon and support conclusions.

Question 33

Rank

Answer 33

Arrange factors, outcomes or elements in order of importance.

Question 34

Recommend

Answer 34

Provide reasons in favour of a proposal.

Question 35

Reflect on

Answer 35

Think about what has been presented, considered or observed and communicate those thoughts.

Question 36

Sketch

Answer 36

Refers to a map, diagram or field drawing; a relatively simple, quick, hand-drawn representation that follows accepted, relevant conventions, but without an accurate scale.

Question 37

Suggest

Answer 37

Present a hypothesis or theory about a particular situation.

Question 38

Summarise

Answer 38

Retell concisely the relevant and major details of arguments, events and patterns.

Question 39

To what extent do you agree?

Answer 39

A clear statement of agreement, disagreement or partial agreement concerning a proposition is required. See ‘asses’.