Academic Testing Vocabulary

To examine something in detail in order to understand it

• Analyze

• Inference/Infer

• Summarize

• Compare

To figure something out by using evidence and reasoning; “reading between the lines”

• Analyze

• Inference/Infer

• Summarize

• Compare

To briefly share the main points of something

• elaborate

• claim

• summarize

• cite

Compare means to note the similarities between things (how two or more things are alike)

• evaluate

• interpret

• contrast

• compare

to note the differences

• evaluate

• interpret

• contrast

• compare

to convince someone to think or act in a specific way

• Claim / Argue

• Persuade/Argue/

  Convince

• Cite / RACE

• narrative/essay

To present a clear, detailed picture of something

To note details about something

• explain

• describe

• summarize

• sensory details

To explain the meaning of something; to present something in understandable terms

• interpret

• summarize

• analyze

• infer

To make something clear by using description, relevant facts, or ideas

• claim

• elaborate

• expand

• explain

To make an objective judgment about a topic, relying more on informed sources than your own opinion

• evaluate

• explain

• extend

• cite