Understanding Test and exam Questions

Understanding Questions What is the question asking me to DO? Questions usually contain key words. The key words are asking you to DO something, in order to answer the question.

Working out the key words in a question Make the most of the study or reading time provided. Identify the key words in the question. When the writing time starts, underline or highlight the key words.

some of the key words In ART questions Describe Explain Discuss Analyse Interpret Compare/contrast What? Why? How?

But what is it asking me to do?

Describe Write down exactly what you see. Write a Visual Analysis of the artwork, what message is the artist sending through what you see? Mention the materials and techniques, the style and any symbols or metaphors. Write down what the dominant art elements and principles are. Write down how the art elements and principles work together to create a certain effect.

Explain Write down WHY something is the way it is. Provide a reason. Make the reader understand. Express your knowledge of the topic Give an answer, with evidence from the artwork to support your response.

Discuss DISCUSS is asking you to write down different points of view. It may be asking you to describe an issue. It is asking you weigh up the different points of view and form an opinion. Use evidence from artworks to support your viewpoint. Use information in text, such as date, materials and title of artworks to help you gather information. Use other evidence such as quotes/commentaries and explanations.

Analyse This goes one step further than DESCRIBE. It is asking you to apply your knowledge of the artist and their intentions. It is asking you to explain the symbolism in the artwork. It is asking you to explain how the technique and style add to the meanings and messages of the artwork. It is asking you how the key elements and principles were used to create a particular mood or feeling. To complete an analysis, you are "pulling apart" the artwork to understand the meanings, messages, artists intentions, and how these were achieved.

Interpret To INTERPRET is to go another step deeper than analyse. Interpret is asking you to tell the reader what YOU think. Write down YOUR understanding of the meanings and messages, using all the clues provided. Their will be multiple interpretations of any artwork, YOUR interpretation is valid, as long as you can SUBSTANTIATE it with EVIDENCE from the artwork. It helps to imagine experiencing the artwork...pretend you are viewing the artwork. This is especially important for contemporary art such as installations, performance art or public art.

Compare/contrast This is asking you to find similarities and differences. COMPARE also implies CONTRAST, asking for differences as well as similarities. What is the same about two artworks? What is different? Similarities and differences might be in imagery, style, technique, medium, symbolism or meanings.

Stay calm and keep a clear head