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Basic Exam Skills Key stages in answering exam questions. 1 Scan all the questions.
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| Compare: Are the things very alike (similar) or are there important differences? Which do you think is best? Why? |
Explain: Make clear. |
| Contrast: Look for differences. | Illustrate: Give examples which make the point clear. |
| Criticise: Use evidence to support your opinion on the value or merit of theories, facts or views of others. |
Interpret: Explain the meaning in your own words, for example you may be asked to interpret a graph. |
| Define: Give the meaning. | Justify: Give reasons to support an argument or action. |
| Describe: Write in detail. | Outline: Choose the most important aspects of a topic. Ignore the minor detail. |
| Differentiate: Explain the difference. |
Relate: Show the connection between things. |
| Discuss: Write about the important aspects of the topic, are there two sides to the question? Consider the arguments for and against. |
State: Write briefly the main points. |
| Distinguish: Explain the difference. |
Summarise: Bring together the main points. |
| Evaluate: Judge the importance or success. | Trace: Show how something has developed from beginning to end. |
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