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
Separate information into components and identify its characteristics (examine in detail, to explain and interpret)
Compare
Identify similarities and/or differences
Consider
Review and respond to the information given
Define
Specify a meaning
Evaluate
Judge a statement or situation from the evidence provided
Explain
Set out purposes or reasons
Give
Produce an answer
How far/how valid/how useful/etc
Make a judgment to draw a conclusion
Identify
Name or otherwise characterise
State
Express something clearly
To what extent
Judge the importance of/ or success of/ or merit of something
What
Specify/select something
Which
Specify/select something from a range of possibilities
Why
Give a reason or purpose