Understanding Task Verbs in Free-Response Questions

What does the task verb 'Cite' require you to do?

• Provide a description

• Provide information about a source

• Formulate a claim

• Combine different perspectives.

Fill in the blank: The task verb 'Compare' requires you to provide a description or explanation of ________.

• similarities and/or differences

• a specified topic

• a coherent position

• specific examples

What is involved in the task verb 'Define a research question'?

• Identifying a topic of interest

• Drawing a conclusion

• Supporting an argument

• Synthesizing information

The task verb 'Describe' requires you to provide what?

• A claim

• Relevant characteristics of a specified topic

• An accurate statement

• Information about a source.

Fill in the blank: To 'Develop an argument,' you must formulate a claim and ________.

• support it with evidence

• provide a description

• identify a topic

• judge the significance

What does the task verb 'Draw a conclusion' involve?

• Using available information to formulate an accurate statement

• Providing specific examples

• Indicating a topic

• Combining perspectives.

The task verb 'Evaluate' requires you to judge or determine what?

• The significance or importance of information

• The characteristics of a topic

• A coherent position

• A source type.

Fill in the blank: The task verb 'Explain' requires providing information about how or why a ________ occurs.

• A) relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome

• B) specified topic

• C) coherent position

• D) source type

What does the task verb 'Identify' require you to do?

• Indicate or provide information about a specified topic

• Formulate a claim

• Combine perspectives

• Provide a description.

Fill in the blank: To 'Support an argument,' you must provide specific examples and ________.

• explain how they support a claim

• identify a topic

• judge the significance

• formulate a claim