Oxford Dictionary Notes on 'Answering the Questions'

 ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS 

At all times, you must ensure that you really understand an examination question or assignment title and address all the required parts. 

Questions can be considered in terms of three main components :

1. Topic 

2. Scope and Focus 

3. Question type 

TOPIC 

The topic(s) of the question will usually be clear from the question itself. For example : Explain the process of photosynthesis. 

SCOPE AND FOCUS 

Often, the wording of the question will include a word or phrase that either limits or expands the topic in a very specific way. These phrases show you the focus of the question. Try to avoid common mistakes, such as: 

1. Covering too broad an area: For example, if the question asks about textile mill in the American South in the 1930s, think very carefully about includiing information about the 1930s or 1940s, or about textile mills in other parts of the world. 

2. Writing with too narrow a focus: For example, If you are asked about the impact of climate change on South America, you should not write about its impact only on Brazil. 

3. Including irrelevant information: For example, If you are asked about using nuclear power as an energy source, you should not write about wind or solar power. 

4. Only answering half of the question: For example, If the question asks What other effects will a reduction in air travel have and will the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

You need to discuss both questions.

QUESTION TYPES 

The depth and type of information that you provide in your answer depends on the kind of question being asked. The table on the next page shows the keywords that might appear in different types of questions.

1. Knowledge questions : These ask you to recall important facts and are the simplest question.

2. Comprehension question : These ask you to demonstrate your understanding of the concepts. You must clearly show that you understand the ideas and theories that underlie the facts.

3. Application questions : Here you use your knowledge of facts and concepts to address a specific problem. These questions require you to move beyond simple recollection.

4. Analysis questions : These examine relationships between/among various facts and concepts.

5. Synthesis questions : These ask you to create a new product or structure in written form.

6. Evaluation questions : These ask you to make value judgements and present your own opinions. This kind of question is very common in academic work. It is important to support your opinions by citing the work and views of experts in the field, if possible. 

1. Key Verbs of Knowledge questions : 

---- Outline 

---- Define 

---- Describe 

---- Give 

---- State 

---- Summarize 

---- Label 

---- Identify 

---- Name 

---- List 

For example, Define the term 'muscle tone' and describe how it can help good posture. 

2. Key Verbs of Comprehension questions :

---- Explain

---- Summarize 

---- Illustrate 

---- Restate 

---- Paraphrase 

---- Give examples 

---- Express 

---- Distinguish (between)

---- Trace 

---- Match 

For example : Give three examples of human activities that have major effects on out climate.

3. Key Verbs of Application questions : 

---- Apply 

---- Show 

---- Solve 

---- Choose 

---- Organize 

---- Generalize 

---- Prepare 

---- Relate (X to Y) 

For example, Show how a national minimum wage will affect levels of unemployment and total output. 

4. Key Verbs of Analysis questions 

---- Analyze 

---- Compare 

---- Contrast

---- Distinguish

---- Differentiate

---- Subdivide 

---- Classify 

---- Categorize 

---- Select 

---- Infer 

---- Prioritize 

For example, Compare the merits of 'renting' and 'squatting' as solutions to housing problems for the poor in cities in the developing world. 

5. Key Verbs of Synthesis questions :

---- Design 

---- Plan 

---- Construct 

---- Create 

---- Compose 

---- Produce 

---- Develop 

---- Invent 

---- Combine 

For example, Design an experiment to investigate whether listening to music improves students' performances in their studies.

6. Key Verbs of Evaluation questions :

---- Discuss 

---- Evaluate 

---- Compare 

---- Consider 

---- Examine 

---- Explore 

---- Comment (on)

---- Justify 

---- Appraise 

---- Weigh 

---- Support 

---- Recommend