Extended response questions can be broken down into parts so that you can better understand what you are being asked to do. It is important to identify key words and phrases in the topic. An Example Question: Examine the impact that a low socioeconomic status can have on the health of young people. Task Word: Examine Task words indicate what you are being asked to do. They are usually verbs. In the above question, the task word is examine. Examine (in an essay) means’ inquire into'. Limiting Words: low socioeconomic status, young people. Focus words set and define the essay. They are usually about the topic area/s. Limiting words help you to focus your research and reading on the correct area.

Key words are words in a question that tell you the approach you should take when answering an essay question.

Task Words tell you what you have to do; the action(s) you need to perform. Discuss the benefits of supplementation on the performance of female athletes. (Task words are highlighted) This word implies that there are different views on the subject of supplementation, and asks you to use your judgement to assess the extent to which supplementation benefits the group mentioned and the extent to which it poses problems for them.

Limiting Words limit and define the essay, making it workable. Discuss the benefits of supplementation on the performance of female athletes. (Limiting words are highlighted) benefits, supplementation, performance, female, athlete. These words narrow the scope of the topic. They tell you that you should concentrate on the benefits and problems of supplementation and that you should focus your attention on females who are athletes.

Content Words tell you what the focus is and what you should write about. Discuss the benefits of supplementation on the performance of female athletes. (Content words are highlighted) supplementation. This word indicates the main subject of your essay.

Look for the keywords in your essay question and underline them. Spend some time working out what they mean.

Content words define the topic area further, indicating aspects of the topic you should narrowly concentrate on. Discuss the benefits of supplementation on the performance of female athletes For example, in this question, you should not just write about supplementation in sport, but focus on describing the benefits supplementation has on females and their sporting performance.

Some questions are more complex. They might have a number of parts or may not include a clear task word, which can make them appear confusing. In order to understand what you must do, you need to work out your task by looking at the entire question. Look for clues in the limiting and content words and in the relationships between words and phrases.

Some questions consist of a statement or a proposition that requires a discussion. Such questions often provide a quotation or statement, followed by a task word such as 'discuss'. EG: Athletes are born not made. Other questions include a direction such as 'explain the significance' of' a given statement. Some questions include specific instructions. They might require you to include certain material, use specific sources or to take a particular approach. Make sure you follow these instructions.

‘Epidemiology is used to determine health care expenditure. Discuss.’ 'Account for greater proportion of health funding being spent on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.‘

'The psychology of the athlete is as important to sports performance as is their level of skill acquisition.‘ Use words such as...similar to, like, unlike, however, in contrast to, what is better / worse,

'Indigenous Australians experience lower levels of access to health services than the general population.’ Analyse the factors determining access.

'Why would an athete have a massage after a hard training session? How would you measure the success of the RTA’s road safety campaigns? Give reasons for your view.'

'To what extent does the Healthy School Canteen policy reflect the Ottawa Charter.‘ 'What traits of a young person will have a positive effect on their level of health?'

analyse to separate and examine the main ideas and issues compareto look at, and identify similarities contrastto look at, and identify differences define explain the exact meaning of a word, term, theory, concept or idea, using examples where helpful describe give details about something so that it can be understood discuss examine key points and possible interpretations; give arguments for and against, and draw a conclusion

evaluate give an opinion, supported by evidence, on the worth or value of something examinesimilar to analyse explaingive a detailed account of; give reasons for illustrate make something clear by providing details and examples interpretexplain the meaning of something justify provide reasons and evidence for something; show that it is reasonable outlineindicate the principal features showdemonstrate by examples

Assumption Something which is accepted as being true for the purpose of an argument. Issue An important topic for discussion; something worth thinking and raising questions about. Methodology A system of methods and principles for doing something. Often used to explain methods for carrying out research. Objective It is the point or the thing aimed at. It is what you want to achieve by a particular activity.

Do your best!