Command words

Command words are the words and phrases used in exams and other assessment tasks that tell students how they should answer the question.

Add

Place information onto an answer

Analyse

Separate information into components and identify their characteristics

Apply

Put into effect in a recognised way

Argue

Present a reasoned case

Assess

Make an informed judgement

Calculate

Work out the value of something

Comment

Present an informed opinion

Compare

Identify similarities and differences

Complete

Finish a task by adding to given information

Consider

Review and respond to given information

Contrast

Identify differences

Criticise

Assess worth against explicit expectations

Debate

Present different perspectives on an issue

Deduce

Draw conclusions from information provided

Define

Specify meaning

Describe

Set our characteristics

Develop

Take forward or build upon given information

Discuss

Present key points about different ideas or strengths and weaknesses of an idea

Estimate

Assign an approximate value

Evaluate

Judge from available evidence

Examine

Investigate closely

Explain

Set out purposes or reasons.

Explore

Investigate without preconceptions about the outcome

Give

Produce an answer from recall

How many

Give the correct number

Identify

Name or otherwise characterise

Illustrate

Present clarifying examples

Interpret

Translate information into recognisable form

Justify

Support a case with evidence

Name

Give the correct title or term.

Outline

Set out main characteristics

Prove

Demonstrate validity on the basis of evidence

Recommend

Give a justified selection

Relate

Demonstrate connections between items

Review

Survey information

State

Express clearly and briefly

Suggest

Present a possible case/solution

Summarise

Present principle points without detail

What

Give the reasons/answer

Which

Select or give the correct information

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