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What does analyse mean?
Identify components and examine their relationships to determine meaning or significance.
If an HSC question says analyse, should you simply describe the information?
No. You must break the information into parts and explain relationships, patterns or significance.
What does assess mean?
Make a judgement about the value, importance, effectiveness or quality of something using evidence.
What is the key feature of an assess response?
It must make a judgement, supported by relevant evidence.
What does compare mean?
Identify similarities and differences between two or more things.
What does contrast mean?
Identify differences between two or more things.
What does describe mean?
Provide characteristics or features of something.
If asked to describe a graph, what should you include?
Important patterns, trends, relationships and relevant data from the graph.
What does discuss mean?
Identify issues and provide points for and/or against, supported by evidence.
Does a discuss question always require a final judgement?
Not necessarily, although a concluding statement can strengthen the response.
What does evaluate mean?
Make a judgement based on criteria and evidence about the value, effectiveness or limitations of something.
What is the difference between assess and evaluate?
Both require judgement; evaluate particularly focuses on value, effectiveness, strengths and limitations against criteria.
What does examine mean?
Investigate closely and consider the relevant evidence, relationships and implications.
What does explain mean?
Provide reasons and/or mechanisms to show how or why something occurs.
What is the difference between describe and explain?
Describe says what happens; explain says how or why it happens.
What does identify mean?
Recognise and name the relevant feature, factor, characteristic or item.
