Command words
Command words are the words and phrases used in exams and other assessment tasks that tell students how they should answer a question.
The following command words are from Ofqual’s official list. Their meanings are relevant to this subject.
Analyse
Look at the information provided and break it down to identify and interpret the main points being raised
Describe
Set out characteristics of something
Evaluate
Make a judgment from the evidence available
Explain
Set out purposes or reasons
Give
Produce an answer from memory
How
State in what ways…
Name
Identify correctly
What
Specify something
Which
Specify from a range of possibilities
Why
Give a reason or purpose