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Command Terms Ib

This document provides definitions for over 50 command terms used across disciplines in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The terms are used to instruct students on what type of response is expected for an exam question. Some of the terms defined include analyze, annotate, apply, argue, calculate, classify, compare, construct, deduce, define, demonstrate, derive, describe, determine, discuss, distinguish, document, evaluate, examine, explain, explore, formulate, identify, infer, interpret, investigate, justify, label, list, measure, outline, predict, present, prove, recall, reflect, recognize, show, sketch, solve, state, suggest, summarize, and use.

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312 views4 pages

Command Terms Ib

This document provides definitions for over 50 command terms used across disciplines in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The terms are used to instruct students on what type of response is expected for an exam question. Some of the terms defined include analyze, annotate, apply, argue, calculate, classify, compare, construct, deduce, define, demonstrate, derive, describe, determine, discuss, distinguish, document, evaluate, examine, explain, explore, formulate, identify, infer, interpret, investigate, justify, label, list, measure, outline, predict, present, prove, recall, reflect, recognize, show, sketch, solve, state, suggest, summarize, and use.

Uploaded by

api-316404287
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Command Terms from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program/Across Disciplines

Analyze

Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure. To identify parts and
relationships, and to interpret information to reach conclusions.

Annotate

Add brief notes to a diagram or graph.

Apply

Use knowledge and understanding in response to a given situation or real circumstances.

Appraise

To evaluate, judge or consider text or a piece of work.

Argue

Challenge or debate an issue or idea with the purpose of persuading or committing someone
else to a particular stance or action.

Calculate

Obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working.

Classify Arrange or order by class or category.


Comment

Give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation.

Compare

Give an account of the similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations,
referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Compare &
Contrast

Give an account of the similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations,
referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Construct

Display information in a diagrammatic or logical form.

Contrast

Give an account of the differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to
both (all) of them throughout.

Deduce

Reach a conclusion from the information given.

Define

Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity.

Demonstrate Prove or make clear by reasoning or evidence, illustrating with examples or practical
application.
Derive

Manipulate a mathematical relationship to give a new equation or relationship.

Describe

Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.

Design

Produce a plan, simulation or model.

Determine

Obtain the only possible answer.

Discuss

Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or
hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by
appropriate evidence.

Distinguish

Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items.

Document

To credit sources of information used by referencing (or citing) following one recognized
referencing system. References should be included in the text and also at the end of the piece
of work in a reference list or bibliography.

Estimate

Find an approximate value for an unknown quantity.

Evaluate

To assess the implications and limitations; to make judgments about the ideas, works,
solutions or methods in relation to selected criteria.
Consider an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and
interrelationships of the issue.

Examine
Exemplify

Represent with an example.

Explain Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.


Explore

Undertake a systematic process of discovery.

Formulate

Express precisely and systematically the relevant concept(s) or argument(s).

Identify

Provide an answer from a number of possibilities. Recognize and state briefly a distinguishing
factor or feature.

Infer

Deduce; reason from premises to a conclusion. Listen or read beyond what has been literally
expressed.

Interpret

Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given
information.

Investigate

Observe, study, or make a detailed and systematic examination, in order to establish facts
and reach new conclusions.

Justify

Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.

Label

Add title, labels or brief explanation(s) to a diagram or graph.

List

Give a sequence of brief answers with no explanation.

Measure

Find the value for a quality.

Outline

Give a brief account or summary.

Predict

Give an expected result of an upcoming action or event.

Present

Offer for display, observation, examination or consideration.

Prove

Use a sequence of logical steps to obtain the required result in a formal way.

Recall

Recognize or identify

Reflect

To think about deeply; consider.

Recognize

Identify or recall particular features.

Show

Give steps in a derivation or calculation.

Sketch

Represent by means of a diagram or graph (labeled as appropriate). The sketch should give a
general idea of the required shape or relationship, and should include relevant features.

Solve

Obtain the answer(s) using algebraic and/or numerical and/or graphical methods.

State

Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation.

Suggest Propose a solution, hypothesis or other possible answer.


Summarize

Abstract a general theme or major point(s).

To What
should be
Extent

Consider the merits or otherwise of an argument or concept. Opinions and conclusions

Use

Apply knowledge or rules to put theory into practice.

presented clearly and supported with appropriate evidence and sound judgment.

Additional Command Terms Commonly Found on Constructed Exam Questions


AGREE OR DISAGREE
Support or refute a statement; give the positive or negative features; express an informed opinion one way
or the other; list the advantages for or against.
ASSESS THE DEGREE
Command words such as these strongly suggest to the student that two schools of thought exist about a
given subject. These questions often involve weighing the relative merit of conflicting points of view; e.g.,
negative vs. positive, strong vs. weak, fundamental vs. immediate.
GIVE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
Present information which determines the importance of an event or issue. Quite often used to show
causation.
SUPPORT / REFUTE
Give the points in favor of, or opposed to, a predetermined point of view or particular position. Also see
AGREE / DISAGREE
While students should generally support or refute the given statement, their responses may include opposing
points.
Common Variations of Previously Stated Command Terms
Assess the relative importance
of
Critically assess
Would you agree
How far
Weigh
Advise
Organize
What factors
Show how

What trends
Draw on your knowledge
Illustrate
Account for
Hypothesize
Integrate
Review
Criticize

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