Bloom’s Taxonomy of Measurable Verbs

Benjamin Bloom created a taxonomy of measurable verbs to help us describe and classify observable knowledge, skills,
attitudes, behaviors and abilities. The theory is based upon the idea that there are levels of observable actions that indicate
something is happening in the brain (cognitive activity.) By creating learning objectives using measurable verbs, you indicate
explicitly what the student must do in order to demonstrate learning.

Verbs that demonstrate Critical Thinking

Bloom’s Taxonomy Action Verbs

Definitions Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation

Bloom’s Remember Demonstrate an Apply Break down Compile Make and

Definition previously understanding of knowledge objects or ideas component defend
learned the facts. to actual into simpler ideas into a new judgments based
information. situations. parts and find whole or on internal
evidence to propose evidence or
support alternative external criteria.
generalizations. solutions.

Verbs • Arrange • Classify • Apply • Analyze • Arrange • Appraise

• Define • Convert • Change • Appraise • Assemble • Argue
• Describe • Defend • Choose • Breakdown • Categorize • Assess
• Duplicate • Describe • Compute • Calculate • Collect • Attach
• Identify • Discuss • Demonstrate • Categorize • Combine • Choose
• Label • Distinguish • Discover • Compare • Comply • Compare
• List • Estimate • Dramatize • Contrast • Compose • Conclude
• Match • Explain • Employ • Criticize • Construct • Contrast
• Memorize • Express • Illustrate • Diagram • Create • Defend
• Name • Extend • Interpret • Differentiate • Design • Describe
• Order • Generalized • Manipulate • Discriminat • Develop • Discriminat
• Outline • Give • Modify e • Devise e
• Recognize example(s) • Operate • Distinguish • Explain • Estimate
• Relate • Identify • Practice • Examine • Formulate • Evaluate
• Recall • Indicate • Predict • Experiment • Generate • Explain
• Repeat • Infer • Prepare • Identify • Plan • Judge
• Reproduce • Locate • Produce • Illustrate • Prepare • Justify
• Select • Paraphrase • Relate • Infer • Rearrange • Interpret
• State • Predict • Schedule • Model • Reconstruct • Relate
• Recognize • Show • Outline • Relate • Predict
• Rewrite • Sketch • Point out • Reorganize • Rate
• Review • Solve • Question • Revise • Select
• Select • Use • Relate • Rewrite • Summarize
• Summarize • Write • Select • Set up • Support
• Translate • Separate • Summarize • Value
• Subdivide • Synthesize
• Test • Tell
• Write

Bloom's Taxonomy Verbs

Use verbs aligned to Bloom's Taxonomy to create discussion questions and lesson plans that
ensure your students' thinking progresses to higher levels.

Knowledge Comprehend
Read Interpret Cite
Count Recall Classify Locate
Define Recite Make sense of
Describe Record Conclude Paraphrase
Draw Reproduce Select Convert Predict Report
Enumerate Sequence Describe Restate
Find State Tell Discuss Review
Identify View Estimate Summarize
Label List Write Explain Trace
Match Generalize Understand
Name Give examples
Quote Illustrate

Apply Analyze
Imitate Implement Focus
Act Interview Break down Illustrate
Administer Include Characterize Infer
Articulate Inform Classify Limit Outline
Assess Instruct Compare Point out
Change Paint Contrast Prioritize
Chart Choose Participate Correlate Recognize
Collect Predict Prepare Debate Research
Compute Produce Deduce Relate
Construct Provide Diagram Separate
Contribute Relate Report Differentiate Subdivide
Control Select Discriminate
Demonstrate Show Distinguish
Determine Solve Examine
Develop Transfer
Discover Use
Dramatize Utilize
Draw
Establish
Extend

Synthesize Evaluate
 Intervene Interpret
Adapt Invent Appraise Judge
Anticipate Make up Argue Justify
Categorize Model Assess Predict
Collaborate Modify Choose Prioritize
Combine Negotiate Compare & Contrast Prove
Communicate Organize Conclude Rank
Compare Perform Criticize Rate
Compile Plan Critique Reframe
Compose Pretend Decide Select
Construct Produce Defend Support
Contrast Progress Evaluate
Create Propose
Design Rearrange
Develop Reconstruct
Devise Reinforce
Express Reorganize
Facilitate Revise
Formulate Rewrite
Generate Structure Substitute
Incorporate Validate
Individualize
Initiate
Integrate

Knowledge
Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems
Tell What happened after...?
List How many...?
Describe Who was it that...?
Relate Can you name the...?
Locate Describe what happened at...? Who spoke to...?
Write Can you tell why...?
Find Find the meaning of...?
State What is...?
Name Which is true or false...?

Comprehension
Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems
explain Can you write in your own words...?
interpret Can you write a brief outline...?
outline What do you think could of happened next...? What
discuss do you think...?
distinguish Can you distinguish between...?
predict restate What differences exist between...?
translate Can you provide an example of what you mean...?
compare Can you provide a definition for...?
describe

Application
Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems
Solve Do you know another instance where...?
Show Could this have happened in...?
Use Can you group by characteristics such as...?
Illustrate What factors would you change if...?
Construct Can you apply the method used to some experience of your own...?
Complete What questions would you ask of...?
Examine From the information given, can you develop a set of instructions
Classify about...?
Would this information be useful if you had a ...?

Analysis
Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems
Analyze Which events could have happened...? How
Distinguish was this similar to...?
 Examine What was the underlying problem with...?
Compare What do you see as other possible outcomes?
Contrast Why did ... changes occur?
Investigate Can you compare your ... with that presented in...?
Categorize Can you explain what must have happened when...?
Identify What are some of the problems of...?
Explain Can you distinguish between...?
Separate What was the problem with...?

Synthesis
Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems
Create Can you design a ... to ...?
Invent Can you see a possible solution to...?
Compose If you had access to all resources how would you deal with...? What
Predict would happen if...?
Plan How many ways can you...?
Construct Can you create new and unusual uses for...?
Design Can you develop a proposal which would...?
Propose Devise
Formulate

Evaluation
Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems
Judge Is there a better solution to... ?
Select Judge the value of... ?
Choose Can you defend your position about...?
Decide Do you think ... is a good or a bad thing?
Justify How would you have handled...?
Debate What changes to ... would you recommend?
Verify Do you believe….?
Argue How effective are...?
Recommend What do you think about...?
Assess
Discuss
Rate
Prioritize
Determine

Bloom’s Verbs
And Matching Assessment Types
 Speech Model
Photography Conclusion
Diagram Implication based on idea
Graph Causal relationships
Tape recording
Own statement Summary
Drama Analog
Skit Outline
Cartoon Compare
Story Match Explain
Restate Defend Map
Paraphrase Distinguish Project
Events Forecast
Rewrite Summarize
People Diagram
Give example Interrelate
Recordings Illustration
Example Interpret
Newspapers Describe Paper that
Illustrate Extend
Memorize Organize Follows an
Recognize Generalize outline
Magazine articles Identify Dramatize
Television shows Locate Prepare Solution
Radio Recite Comprehension Produce Question
Text readings State Choose Apply List
Films/video Label Sketch Solve Project
Select
Plays Show Drama
List Knowledge Application
Filmstrips Paint Painting
Name
Define Sculpture

Conclusion Judge Infer Questionnaire

Self-evaluation Relate Evaluation Analysis Survey
Criticize Argument
Recommendation Weigh Compare Select
Support Parts of
Valuing Analyze
Evaluate propaganda
Synthesis Classify
Consider Word defined
Court trial Point out
Survey Critique Distinguish
Evaluation Recommend Categorize
Summarize Statement identified
Differentiate
Standard Appraise Conclusion checked
Subdivide
Compared Compare Syllogism
Compose Plan broken down
Standard Originate Design Create
Established Hypothesize Combine Invent
Group discussion Report
Develop Role-play Organize Survey
Construct
Graph
Produce
Article
Invention Experiment
Report Play
Set of rules Game Book
Set of standards Song Formulation of
Machine hypothesis
Alternative course Question
of action

Source: The Tenth Annual Curriculum Mapping Institute: Snowbird Utah, July15-18, 2004
Adapted from Benjamin Bloom
Watch Out for Verbs that are not Measurable

In order for an objective to give maximum structure to instruction, it should be free of vague or ambiguous
words or phrases. The following lists notoriously ambiguous words or phrases which should be avoided so
that the intended outcome is concise and explicit.
WORDS TO AVOID PHRASES TO AVOID
• Believe Evidence a (n): To Become: To Reduce:
• Hear • Appreciation for
• Realize • Acquainted with
• Capacity • Adjusted to
• Intelligence • Awareness of
• Recognize • Capable of
• Comprehend • Comprehension of .
• Know • Cognizant of
• See • Enjoyment of
• Conceptualize • Conscious of
• Listen • Familiar with
• Self-Actualize • Interest in • Interested in .
• Memorize • Knowledge of
• Think • Knowledgeable about .
• Experience • Understanding of
• Perceive
• Understand
• Feel