Key Words & Main Ideas By Mrs. Merk

Why Are They Important? Good answers to test questions often depend upon a clear understanding of the meaning of important key words.

During a Quiz / On Home Work The following words are often used in tests and examinations questions. To help you here are some easy-to-understand explanations of some of the terms you may encounter during your edcuation.

During a Quiz / On HW Cont… 1. ANALYSE - Work out the main parts or important features of the material and present them clearly in your answer 2. COMPARE/COMPARISON - Look for those qualities or characteristics that are similar in the subject you are discussing. You may mention some differences in your answer but concentrate on aspects that are much the same.

During a Quiz / On HW Cont… 3. CONTRAST - Stress the qualities or characteristics that are different in the things you are discussing. 4. CRITICIZE- State what you think is a fair judgment of the events under discussion. Give points for and against, not just against. 5. DEFINE - Explain the meaning in clear, concise terms. Also show the limits of what you are defining and the class or category to which it belongs.

During a Quiz / On HW Cont… 6. DESCRIBE - Try to give the reader a "word picture" of what you are describing by including the main parts, colours, shapes, sensations etc., as vividly as possible. Provide characteristics and features. 7. DISCUSS - This term means that you should give a complete and detailed answer. Make sure that you examine, analyze and present all points of view regarding the topic you are discussing. Identify the issues and provide points for and /or against.

During a Quiz / On HW Cont… 8. ENUMERATE - Make a list or outline the main points in your answer. 9. EVALUATE - Present a value judgment, stressing advantages and disadvantages of the situation. 10. EXPLAIN - Relate cause and effect, make the relationships between things evident and provide the answer to why or how.

During a Quiz / On HW Cont… 11. ILLUSTRATE - Use examples to help explain your answer and if possible present a diagram, picture or small drawing. However, usually requires more than making a drawing. 12. INTERPRET - Aim to give meaning of the topic or point of view in the material. 13. JUSTIFY - Prove or show evidence why certain decisions or actions have been taken. 14. NARRATE/RELATE - Tell a story or give an account of events or experiences.

During a Quiz / On HW Cont… 15. OUTLINE - Indicate the main points and important details of the material in a systematic arrangement but not an extended account. 16. PROVE/SHOW - Give evidence or use logical reasoning to establish how true or genuine a statement is in the topic. 17. PROPOSE - Put forward for consideration or action. For example a point of view, idea, argument or suggestion.

During a Quiz / On HW Cont… 18 REVIEW - Make a general survey or examination of the major points in the material. A review can also often be a critical report of a situation or problem. 19 SUMMARISE - Give a brief and full presentation of the main points or statements. Express, concisely, the relevant details. Leave minor details, illustrations and explanations. 20. STATE - Set out the main points in clear, concise expression without minor details or the use of examples.