4.1.2. Understanding Question Demands (Directive Words)

Directive words are the key instructions in an exam question that tell you exactly what you need to do. Misinterpreting these words can lead to writing a perfectly good answer to the wrong question.

Directive words are specific terms used in exam questions to guide your response. They signal what action to take with your answer. For example, if a question asks you to 'analyze,' you need to break down the topic and examine its components. Failing to understand these words may lead you to write responses that don’t address what’s actually being asked, resulting in lost marks.

Think of directive words as traffic signs when driving. Each sign indicates a specific action you must take, like stopping at a red light or merging at a yield sign. Ignoring these signals can take you off the intended path or lead to accidents. Similarly, misinterpreting directive words can lead to the wrong approach in your exam answers.

● Analyze: Break down the topic into its components and examine the relationships between them. Explore different aspects and provide detailed explanations. ● Compare: Identify similarities between two or more things. ● Contrast: Identify differences between two or more things. ● Discuss: Present both sides of an argument, weigh the evidence, and often reach a reasoned conclusion. This requires a balanced approach. ● Evaluate: Assess the worth, significance, or effectiveness of something. You need to provide a judgment based on evidence and reasoning.

Each directive word tells you how to structure your answer. For instance:

• Analyze means you should dissect the topic into parts. Think of it as taking apart a watch to see how all the gears work together.
• Compare involves looking for commonalities; it’s like finding similar features in two different models of a car.
• Contrast is about highlighting differences – picture comparing two different cities and noting their unique traits.
• Discuss requires presenting multiple angles of an argument, similar to a debate where each side must be understood.
• Evaluate asks you to judge something’s value based on criteria, much like grading a project based on its creativity, thoroughness, and presentation.

Imagine you’re a detective trying to solve a case:

• When asked to analyze, you would dissect the evidence, examining each clue to see what it reveals.
• If told to compare, you’d look for links between two suspects, checking their alibis.
• To contrast, you’d point out how one suspect behaves differently from another during questioning.
• In a discussion, you’d lay out the possible motives of both suspects and let the jury decide based on the evidence presented.
• To evaluate, you might rate the reliability of their alibis based on the evidence found, just like deciding how trustworthy each suspect seems.

● Explain: Make something clear and understandable. Provide reasons, causes, or justifications. ● Identify: Pinpoint or name specific elements, characteristics, or points. ● Illustrate: Provide examples to clarify or support your points. ● Justify: Give valid reasons or evidence to support a statement or action. ● Summarize: Give a brief account of the main points of something. ● Suggest: Propose ideas, solutions, or actions.

These directive words help you measure the depth and type of your response needed:

• Explain involves clarifying concepts, similar to a teacher breaking down a difficult topic for students.
• Identify is often about recognizing key facts, like seeing a symbol and noting what it represents.
• When asked to illustrate, you’re expected to give examples, akin to an artist showcasing their work.
• Justify means backing up your claims, like a lawyer providing evidence in court to prove a case.
• To summarize is to condense essential information, much like writing the abstract of a research paper.
• Finally, to suggest implies you’re offering possible routes forward, just like a counselor guiding a client toward solutions.

Picture a chef preparing a meal:

• When asked to explain a recipe, the chef would describe each ingredient’s role and how they work together.
• If instructed to identify, they might point out the spices used in a dish.
• To illustrate, the chef would demonstrate how to chop vegetables.
• When needing to justify, they might explain why they chose those cooking methods.
• In a summary, the chef could outline the cooking process in a few sentences.
• Finally, if asked to suggest, they might recommend modifications based on dietary restrictions or personal tastes.

Always underline or circle these directive words in the question to keep your focus sharp.

A practical tip for tackling exam questions is to physically mark directive words. By underlining or circling them, you create a visual reminder of what you need to focus on while answering. This simple technique keeps you aligned with what the question requires and reduces the risk of straying off-topic.

Think of this practice like using a highlighter in your textbooks. When you highlight key phrases, you draw attention to important information that you’ll need to reference later. Similarly, underlining directive words in exam questions helps to highlight the critical tasks at hand, ensuring you don’t miss vital instructions while you're in the pressure of the exam environment.

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