Dear students, 

As I sit here to write this blog today your one exam is already over. Hope you have done well.I am sharing a few tips to understand the purpose behind the various terms used in framing questions and writing good answers and completing the paper on time with appropriate answers. 

The following words are commonly found in essay test questions. Understanding them is essential to success on these kinds of questions. Study this sheet thoroughly. Know these words backward and forwards.

• ANALYZE: Break into separate parts and discuss, examine, or interpret each part.
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• COMPARE: Examine two or more things. Identify similarities and differences. Comparisons generally ask for similarities more than differences. (See Contrast.)
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• CONTRAST: Show differences. Set in opposition.
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• CRITICIZE: Make judgments. Evaluate comparative worth. Criticism often involves analysis.
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• DEFINE: Give the meaning; usually a meaning specific to the course or the subject. Determine the precise limits of the term be defined. Explain the exact meaning. Definitions are usually short.
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• DESCRIBE: Give a detailed account. Make a picture with words. List characteristics, qualities and parts.
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• DISCUSS: Consider and debate or argue the pros and cons of an issue. Write about any conflict. Compare and contrast.
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• ENUMERATE: List several ideas, aspects, events, things, qualities, reasons, etc.
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• EVALUATE: Give your opinion or cite the opinion of an expert. Include evidence to support the evaluation.
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• ILLUSTRATE: Give concrete examples. Explain clearly by using comparisons or examples.
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• INTERPRET: Comment upon, give examples, describe relationships. Explain the meaning. Describe, then evaluate.
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• OUTLINE: Describe the main ideas, characteristics, or events. (Does not necessarily mean *write a Roman numeral/letter outline*.)
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• PROVE : Support with facts (especially facts presented in class or in the test).
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• STATE: Explain precisely.
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• SUMMARIZE: Give a brief, condensed account. Include conclusions. Avoid unnecessary details.
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• TRACE: Show the order of events or progress of a subject or event.

     Good luck !!!!