Accelerating Achievement by Knowing the Meaning of Important Question Words

These are terms often seen during tests, quizzes and other assignments. They are found in the questions.  Studying the meaning of each of these words can help you answer questions correctly because you will understand what you are being asked to do.  Knowing the meaning of each of these words will help you do better on important tests like the SAT, High School Exit Exam, Final Exams and even tests in your classes now.  Learn these words. 

analyze - to break down into parts and explain relationships.
characterize - "represent, show the qualities of."
classify - arrange in groups by common characteristic
combine - join or unite
compare and contrast - explain the similarities and differences.
correspond to - match
data - information or facts
define - give the exact meaning of
describe - give key information about
determine - decide
draw a conclusion - make a judgement based on certain ideas or facts
emphasize - stress or focus on
evaluate - judge the value of
example - give illustrations or representations
except - "all but, everything other than."
excerpt - "a selection, portion of a text"
explain - make clear
former - "previous, earlier"
foundation - "base, support for a conclusion"
generalization - general statement based on many examples
graph - visual representation of facts or figures
indentify - pick out, locate or find
impact - effect or influence or importance
indicate - show or point out
inference - "a conclusion based on a deduction, an informed guess. "
passage - a part of a text or written work
point - "main idea, location or position"
primary - main or most important
probably - most likely
provide - offer or supply
refer - to use as a source of information
result - findings or result
select - chose from many things
sequence - order or arrangement
significant - important or meaningful
similar - nearly alike
topic - subject

theme- the subject that is the main idea of a book or writing
valid - logical or truthful or correct