First-year students, here are some common English keywords that frequently appear in exams and questions. Understanding their meanings can help you answer correctly and confidently.
- Design = Create a design
- Draw = Draw
- Explain = Explain
- Define = Give a definition
- Describe = Describe
- Discuss = Discuss
- Compare = Compare
- Differentiate Between = Distinguish between
- List = Write in a list form
- Mention = Mention
- State = State
- Identify = Identify
- Name = Name
- Calculate = Calculate
- Solve = Solve
- Analyze = Analyze
- Evaluate = Evaluate
- Illustrate = Illustrate / Explain with examples or diagrams
- Show = Show
- Label = Add labels
- Sketch = Draw a simple sketch
- Complete = Complete
- Choose = Choose
- Select = Select
- Write = Write
- Classify = Classify
- Summarize = Summarize
- Justify = Justify
- Interpret = Interpret
- Derive = Derive
- Prove = Prove
- Convert = Convert
- Match = Match
- Arrange = Arrange
- Find = Find
💡 Tip: Before answering any exam question, pay close attention to the instruction word used. For example, Define is different from Explain, and Draw is different from Design. Each keyword requires a different type of answer, so understanding these terms can help you score better in your exams.