INSTRUCTION WORDS COMMONLY USED IN EXAMS
INSTRUCTION MEANING
WORD
ACCOUNT FOR offer an explanation as to why...
ANALYSE talk in detail about the topic; to separate into parts or
elements and to describe or examine in detail; consider--------
---- in terms of its components and show how they interrelate.
COMMENT to give a more personal opinion but related to the event or
content of the subject matter.
COMPARE discuss-------- and -------- in terms of their similarities and
differences; to point out or show both similarities and
differences or examine the differences between ideas, facts,
viewpoints, and so forth.
CONTRAST discuss------- and-------- in terms of their similarities and
differences; point out the differences between certain sets of
objects or their characteristics.
CRITICISE point out the good and the bad characteristics of the
phenomenon you are reading and give your opinion after
taking all the facts, arguments or assumptions into account.
DEFINE give a short and concise description of the subject or topic;
explain what is meant by...
DESCRIBE give an account of ...; name the characteristics of a topic.
This should be done in a logical and well-structured manner.
DISCUSS offer whatever insights you can into the topic; to examine or
investigate by argument various sides of and points to a
subject; make an analytical examination of a statement or
statements; discuss a topic by examining its various aspects.
A critical approach should be followed.
DISTINGUISH or note the differences that distinguish two topics from one
DIFFERENTIATE another; to point out the peculiarities which show the
differences clearly between two or more aspects or things.
EVALUATE to give an informed opinion, as measured against certain
standards, on a topic; to make an appraisal or express an
opinion concerning the value in terms of known criteria-
includes analysis, testing in terms of criteria, etc.
EXAMINE examine and critically discuss a topic in terms of definite
criteria or guidelines; to investigate and discuss initially in
terms of known criteria or directives.
EXPLAIN explain and clarify to ensure that the reader clearly
understands your arguments. Make use of illustrations,
descriptions or simple but logical explanations.
GIVE AN to present the data in a brief, logical and systematic manner;
OUTLINE to present the information in a concise, systematic and
sequential manner.
IDENTIFY give the essential characteristics of...; name the most
important characteristics of a topic.
ILLUSTRATE give examples or draw a diagram to elucidate a particular
topic or a subject.
INDICATE select or specify for discussion.
INTERPRET explain or give the meaning of something in terms of a more
common concept. Your explanation should be as practical as
possible.
LIST give a list of names, facts, items, and so on, in a specific
order or according to a specific category.
NAME give names, characteristics, items or facts.
POINT OUT/ present a premise logically by means of thorough reasoning.
PRESENT
PROVE demonstrate or show by logical argument.
REFLECT think deeply or carefully about something; bring about a good
or bad impression of …; seriously consider…
