Biology Action Verbs
These action verbs indicated the depth of treatment required for a given assessment statement. These verbs will be used in examination questions and so it is important that you familiarize yourself with the following definitions.
Click here to download a copy of the action verbs
Analyze: Interpret data to reach conclusions.
Annotate: Add brief notes to a diagram or graph.
Apply: Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in a new situation.
Calculate: Find a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working (unless instructed not to do so).
Comment: Give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation.
Compare: Give an account of similarities and differences between two (or more) items, referring to both (all) of them throughout.
Construct: Represent or develop in graphical form.
Deduce: Reach a conclusion from the information given.
Define: Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase or physical quantity.
Derive: Manipulate a mathematical relationship(s) to give a new equation or relationship.
Describe: Give a detailed account.
Design: Produce a plan, simulation or model.
Determine: Find the only possible answer.
Discuss: Give an account including, where possible, a range of arguments for and against the relative importance of various factors, or comparisons of alternative hypotheses.
Distinguish: Give the differences between two or more different items.
Draw: Represent by means of pencil lines.
Estimate: Find an approximate value for an unknown quantity.
Evaluate: Assess the implications and limitations.
Explain: Give a detailed account of causes, reasons or mechanisms.
Identify: Find an answer from a given number of possibilities.
Label: Add labels to a diagram.
List: Give a sequence of names or other brief answers with no explanation.
Measure: Find a value for a quantity.
Outline: Give a brief account or summary.
Predict: Give an expected result.
Show: Give the steps in a calculation or derivation.
Sketch: Represent by means of a graph showing a line and labelled but unscaled axes but with important features (for example, intercept) clearly indicated.
Solve: Obtain an answer using algebraic and/or numerical methods.
State: Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation.
Suggest: Propose a hypothesis or other possible answer
Click here to download a copy of the action verbs
Analyze: Interpret data to reach conclusions.
Annotate: Add brief notes to a diagram or graph.
Apply: Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in a new situation.
Calculate: Find a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working (unless instructed not to do so).
Comment: Give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation.
Compare: Give an account of similarities and differences between two (or more) items, referring to both (all) of them throughout.
Construct: Represent or develop in graphical form.
Deduce: Reach a conclusion from the information given.
Define: Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase or physical quantity.
Derive: Manipulate a mathematical relationship(s) to give a new equation or relationship.
Describe: Give a detailed account.
Design: Produce a plan, simulation or model.
Determine: Find the only possible answer.
Discuss: Give an account including, where possible, a range of arguments for and against the relative importance of various factors, or comparisons of alternative hypotheses.
Distinguish: Give the differences between two or more different items.
Draw: Represent by means of pencil lines.
Estimate: Find an approximate value for an unknown quantity.
Evaluate: Assess the implications and limitations.
Explain: Give a detailed account of causes, reasons or mechanisms.
Identify: Find an answer from a given number of possibilities.
Label: Add labels to a diagram.
List: Give a sequence of names or other brief answers with no explanation.
Measure: Find a value for a quantity.
Outline: Give a brief account or summary.
Predict: Give an expected result.
Show: Give the steps in a calculation or derivation.
Sketch: Represent by means of a graph showing a line and labelled but unscaled axes but with important features (for example, intercept) clearly indicated.
Solve: Obtain an answer using algebraic and/or numerical methods.
State: Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation.
Suggest: Propose a hypothesis or other possible answer
