Understanding keywords
You should always think carefully about the keywords within a
question. Below is a table that may help you. Of course, the
context of a question and your common sense need to be exercised
here. This is merely a guide to help you think about what is
required of you when looking at the question itself.
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Key Word
|
Skills you need to demonstrate
|
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|
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Define
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Identify the central qualities of something and determine its
meaning
|
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Describe
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Use detail and examples to outline the key characteristics
|
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Illustrate
|
Make an issue or concept clear using examples (often this does
not require you to draw something)
|
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Explain
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Provide detail that makes an issue or concept clear. Interpret
information and determine its meaning
|
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Compare and contrast
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Identify the similarities and differences between two objects,
issues or concepts
|
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Apply
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Make a theory relevant and suitable within a chosen example. Put
a concept into action.
|
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Advantages and Disadvantages
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Look at the beneficial and negative outcomes of something
|
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Analyse
|
Separate an abstract concept and critically determine its
elements, features and possible outcomes
|
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Examine
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Scrutinise and investigate an issue or concept carefully
|
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Identify
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Recognise the main features of an issue, object or concept
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Discuss
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Consider and examine via argument
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Predict
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Use a variety of factors to determine a possible outcome
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Comment
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Observations, expansions, criticisms and thoughts, premised on
knowledge about a particular issue or concept
|
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Assess
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Determine the effect, results or reasons for something
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Consider
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Reflect on an event or piece of information leading towards the
proposal of a solution
|
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Differentiate
|
Recognise the unique features and characteristics of an issue,
concept or object and establish how it is different from something
else
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