Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Study and revision help

Current students

Exam skills

Key Stages in Answering Exam Questions:

• Scan all the questions.
• Mark all the questions you could answer.
• Read these questions carefully.
• Choose the current number (in each section).
• Decide on an order: best answers first.
• Divide up your time.
• Underline key words in the question.
• Plan your answer and stick to the point of the question.
• Write your answer: use the plan at every stage, e.g. every paragraph.
• Check your answer against the plan and look out for mistakes.

Key Words Explained

Compare

Are the things alike (similar) or are there important differences? Which do you think is best? Why?

Contrast

Look for differences.

Criticise

Use evidence to support your opinion on the value or merit of theories, facts or views of others.

Define

Give the meaning.

Describe

Write in detail.

Differentiate

Explain the difference.

Discuss

Write about the important aspects of the topic. Are there two sides to the question? Consider the arguments for and against.

Distinguish

Explain the difference.

Evaluate

Judge the importance or success.

Explain

Make clear.

Illustrate

Give examples which make the point clear.

Interpret

Explain the meaning in your own words, e.g. you may be asked to interpret a graph.

Justify

Give reasons to support an argument or action.

Outline

Choose the most important aspects of a topic. Ignore the minor detail.

Relate

Show the connection between things.

State

Write briefly the main point.

Summarise

Bring together the main points.

Trace

Show how something has developed from beginning to end.