Analyse

Break down a subject. Look at it from all angles. What’s involved in it? What’s good about it? What’s not so good about it? What would you like to continue as good practice? What would you change and why? 

Argue

Make a case based on appropriate evidence for / against a point of view.

Calculate

Determine the solution using Maths.

Classify

Arrange into classes or categories.

Compare

Find the resemblances or similarities between items; you are to emphasise similarities, although differences may be mentioned. 

Contrast

Point out the differences between items. 

Criticise/Critique

Express your judgment on a topic. Give the good points, the negative points, what would continue to do for good practice and what you would improve and in what way.  

Define

Say briefly what the word/phrase means.  

Demonstrate

Explain using examples.

Describe

Fully say what the topic is like. Give as much detail as possible. (Imagine you are telling someone who knows nothing about the subject as much information as you can so they can understand it.)  

Design

Make a preliminary plan or sketch.

Develop

Expand on a statement/idea to include more detail.

Devise

Invent or plan based on existing knowledge or information.

Diagram

For a question which specifies a diagram you should present a drawing, chart, plan, or graphic representation in your answer. Generally you are expected to label the diagram and in some cases add a brief explanation or description. 

Differentiate 

Discuss the differences between items. Differentiate can also relate to the mathematical term meaning to find the derivative.

Discuss

This is common in essay style questions. You should be detailed in your answer with a full explanation of the topic. Explain the topic, give the pros and cons of the topic and analyse the topic. 

Distinguish

To show a difference between two or more areas / headings.

Evaluate

Look at the topic from all angles. What are the advantages and limitations? Say how valuable this topic is in the subject. What would you recommend as good points to continue and what would you recommend should change and why? 

This term is used in Maths to mean: “find a numerical answer”.

Explain

Make clear exactly what is involved in the topic. Give reasons for any ideas in the topic and analyse it.   

Explore

Look at a topic in greater detail.

Illustrate

A question which asks you to illustrate usually requires you to explain or clarify your answer to the problem by presenting a figure, picture, diagram, or concrete example. 

Identify

Associate the topic with a specific but separate topic.

Investigate

Examine in detail.

Justify

Give good reasons to back up the opinion or answer you have given.

List (or enumerate)

Give a numbered list of items in concise form – not too much detail. Be clear and logical in your list. 

Outline

An outline answer is an organised description. You do not have to be very detailed, just give the main points of the topic. 

Prove

Give details and evidence which shows an argument to be true without using your own opinion.

Recommend

Provide reasons in favour of a given topic.

Relate

Highlight the connections between two or more items.

Review

A review specifies a critical examination. You should analyse and comment briefly in organised sequence upon the major points of the problem. 

State

Just give the main points.  

Summarise

When you are asked to summarise or present a summarisation, you should give in condensed form the main points or facts. 

Tabulate

Put the information into a table.

Trace

When a question asks you to trace a course of events, you are to give a description of progress, historical sequence, or development from beginning to end.