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This article will show you the key to success! Learn how to approach all NESA key words to tackle all question types and achieve full marks.
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So, you know about NESA’s “key words” but do you know why they’re so important? The NESA glossary of key words is a list of imperative verbs (action verbs) that can crop up in your exams. These key words will tell you how to answer the given question or statement.
The NESA key words are used in all subjects. They are the terms used by NESA to communicate how you’re meant to answer a particular question. Knowing what each word means and how to respond to them is important if you want to do well in the HSC.
In this article, we’ll discuss,
You don’t want to go into your exam and waste 20 minutes answering an ‘identify’ question… That’s because ‘identify’ questions aren’t expecting you to go into detail about the topic, they just want you to quickly list your answer!
Each NESA key word requires you to demonstrate different levels of thinking and writing.
The key words often indicate how much you should write, and the detail and sophistication of your answers.
So, knowing and remembering them will help you achieve full marks and allocate your time appropriately.
The ALARM (A Learning and Responding Matrix) is a helpful tool that shows you how to tackle different types of questions based on NESA key words.
It categorises the key words into different ‘bands’.
On the far left, you’ll find key words that require simple answers, while those that need more critical thinking are on the far right. As you move right, the questions get more complex, and you need to provide more detailed responses.
Let’s take a closer look at the ALARM to see how it works.
Try to memorise the different components of ALARM. When you spot a key word in a question, refer back to this matrix to ensure you’re hitting all the necessary points for full marks.
If you are struggling to recall a key word, check the marks allocated for the question. This can give you a hint about where that word fits on the ALARM.
NESA has a glossary of key words along with their definitions. We’ll go through these key words and show you how to answer them properly to achieve full marks.
Each subject will have slight variations on how you answer the same key word.
For example, ‘evaluate’ will be answered differently in Maths compared to English or Science. So, every time you come across these terms, make sure to think about the specific subject context.
Now, let’s start breaking down the key words! Remember to always recall the ALARM to help you figure out all the components you need to cover.
Account for: state reasons for, report on.
Give an account of: narrate a series of events or transactions.
NESA uses ‘account’ in three ways:
This keyword is usually used for humanities and science questions.
1. Identify which ‘account’ your question is asking you to answer
2. Figure out where ‘account’ belongs on the ALARM:
‘Account’ can belong in the ‘explain’ or ‘analyse’ category. This means that you need to:
3. Answer the question based on which 1 of the 3 definitions:
Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications.
The markers want you to explain how and why something is occurring by figuring out the relationship between the components.
This keyword is used for humanities and science questions.
1. Figure out where ‘analyse’ stands on the ALARM
‘Analyse’ is part of the ‘analyse’ category. So you need to:
2. Break down the question and figure out the different components.
Figure out:
You need to identify the different components, relate them with one another and figure out their impact/effect and significance.
Use, utilise, employ in a particular situation
‘Apply’ requires you to use the information/resources given to you and show how it works in a different – but similar – situation.
You may be asked to ‘apply a formula’ to a Maths question or ‘apply a theory’ to a case study.
1. Figure out where ‘apply’ stands in the ALARM
‘Apply’ is an ‘analyse’ key word. This means that you need to:
2. Use the information/resource given and show how it works in a different scenario:
Make a judgement about the value of
You must demonstrate that you fully understand the implications of the topic and give reasons as to why something is valuable or good.
This is what differentiates ‘appreciate’ from ‘assess’ or ‘evaluate’ because there are implications that the ‘thing’ is already of good value.
1. Determine the components of ‘appreciate’ based on the ALARM
‘Appreciate’ is an evaluative term. This means that you need to:
Make a judgement of value, quality, outcomes, results or size
‘Assess’ requires you to make a judgement about something. You may be asked to assess:
You don’t always need to make a clear cut decision about whether something is effective or ineffective. You can place it on a relative scale. For example, something can be ‘somewhat useful’.
‘Assess’ belongs to the ‘evaluate’ category. This means you need to:
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Ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information
‘Calculate’ requires you to use the facts, figures or information and do the maths to figure out the answer.
It’s usually used in Maths and Science.
‘Calculate’ is an ‘identify’ key word. So, you need to do the maths based on the facts, figures, and information.
Always show your working out so the markers know that you know how to get to the right answer.
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Make clear or plain
‘Clarify’ requires you to describe something in a clearer and more comprehensible way.
It’s not about simplifying your explanations. Instead, you have to break down the concept and try to make it easier to understand.
1. Figure out where clarify sits on the ALARM
‘Clarify’ is a ‘describe’ term. So, you will have to:
2. Break down the topic into components
To answer a ‘clarify’ question, you need to break down the topic into different components. Then, describe their features in a more comprehensible way.
This means that you need to target challenging areas of the topic and explain its features/process.
Arrange or include in classes/categories
‘Classify’ requires you to categorise ‘things’ into different groups based on their unifying traits.
1. Figure out where classify sits on the ALARM
‘Classify’ is a ‘describe’ term. So, you need to know its:
2. Determine it’s components, characteristics, features or attributes
Now, you need to identify and describe the different characteristics, features and attributes of the ‘thing’ you are being asked to classify.
3. Determine its category
After you described the ‘thing’, you need to figure out which category it belongs to. To do this, you need to have a good understanding of the characteristics of the category.
If the ‘thing’ satisfies the criteria of a particular category, then it is reasonable to classify it into that category.
4. Explain why the thing belongs in the category
You must also describe the criteria of the category and compare it with the thing’s characteristics.
This is your explanation to support your classification.
Show how things are similar or different
‘Compare’ means explaining how things are similar or different from one another.
It requires you to examine the different characteristics. Sometimes, you are required to dig deeper and examine the function and impacts of different things.
1. Figure out where compare sits on the ALARM
‘Compare’ can be an ‘explain’ or an ‘analyse’ term. This means you need to:
2. Identify the similarities and differences between things
You need to identify the traits of the different things. To help, draw a table in your mind or in the margin.
3. Explain (or analyse) these similarities or differences
Then, you should explain how these two things are similar and/or different from one another.
It’s not enough to simply identify these differences, you have to go into more detail and discuss their functions too.
Make; build; put together items or arguments
‘Construct’ requires you organise your ideas to build a larger concept (i.e. an argument or story).
1. Figure out where ‘construct’ sits on the ALARM
Construct can be an ‘explain’ or an ‘analyse’. This means that you have to:
2. Figure out your argument/story
Take a stance on the topic.
3. Identify your ideas and organise them
Think about the elements listed above and attempt to find a relationship between them.
Explain how these ideas work together to support your argument/story.
Try to provide some examples if appropriate.
Show how things are different or opposite
Contrast requires you to identify the different characteristics and traits between two or more things.
You should extend your contrast by also examining their different functions, purposes, and impacts.
1. Identify where ‘contrast’ belongs in the ALARM
‘Contrast’ is similar to ‘compare’, so it belongs in the ‘analyse’ category:
2. Figure out the characteristics, functions, and impacts of what you’re contrasting
If it helps, list these it out in the margin before you begin writing your answer.
Remember, it’s not enough to simply identify the different characteristics. You also need to explore the different functions and impacts.
Provide examples when possible.
Add a degree or level of accuracy depth, knowledge and understanding, logic, questioning, reflection and quality to (analyse/evaluate)
‘Critically analysing/evaluating’ requires you to do more than just analysing or evaluating.
You need to show your depth of understanding and knowledge. This is often done by providing strong examples to support your opinions and explaining every component very clearly.
1. Determine where ‘critically’ stands on the ALARM
‘Critically’ technically doesn’t sit in its own spot on the ALARM. It’s used to add a degree of complexity to your responses.
So, ‘critically analyse’ will move ‘analyse’ and ‘evaluate’ higher.
These are the elements you need to answer a critically question:
Draw conclusions
‘Deduce’ means to come to a logical conclusion by reasoning from the facts and information provided.
1. Figure out where ‘deduce’ sits on the ALARM:
‘Deduce’ is an ‘evaluative’ term. This means you need to:
2. Explain your reasonings and evaluate
Explore the reasons (facts and information) that support and doesn’t support your final judgement.
After discussing each reason, explain its impact on your final judgement.
3. Make a final overall judgement
Conclude based on the reasons you explored.
State meaning and identify essential qualities
Identify the meaning of something.
1. Position ‘define’ in the ALARM
‘Define’ is an ‘identify’ term that can cross into ‘describe’. This means that you need to:
2. List the meaning of the thing
Briefly but clearly describe what the ‘thing’ means. You can rely on their features, characteristics, and attributes to help you answer, but don’t spend too much time on it.
Show by example
‘Demonstrate’ requires you to use examples to prove your argument or logically show how something works.
1. Position ‘demonstrate’ on the ALARM
Since ‘demonstrate’ requires you to give examples, it belongs in the ‘explain’ category or above. Depending on the question and amount of marks allocated, ‘demonstrate’ can also belong in the ‘analyse’ or ‘evaluate’ category.
Therefore, you need to:
2. Explain your answer
Show the process of something and/or provide reasons to explain your argument. Cover the components, characteristics, function and purpose, and effect and impact.
3. Use examples
Use strong and relevant examples.
The examples you use will depend on the subject you’re studying. For example, in English, you will need to find textual evidence and techniques to demonstrate your answer, whereas, for Biology, you might use a case-study.
Using one example is sometimes not enough to get full marks. You might need to use a few examples to demonstrate your point, especially when you have more than one reason or supporting idea.
Provide characteristics and features
You need to give information about the characteristics of something.
This means to go into details about its features instead of simply identifying it’s meaning.
1. Position ‘describe’ on the ALARM
‘Describe’ belongs in the ‘describe’ category. This means that you have to:
Often, in ‘describe’ questions, you need to be descriptive. Try to think about every possible feature that you can discuss.
Identify issues and provide points for and/or against
‘Discuss’ requires you to go into detail about the different reasons that support or undermine an argument.
You need to use your logic and reasoning skills to determine which perspective is more convincing and use evidence to support both sides of the argument.
1. Identify ‘discuss’ on the ALARM
‘Discuss’ can be an ‘analyse’ or an ‘evaluate’ term. This means you need to:
2. Provide reasons for and against
Use your knowledge and research to find reasons that support and undermine the argument.
Try to have an equal amount of reasons for each side of the argument, and give enough detail and insight for every reason.
Remember, this is all about demonstrating your knowledge about the different perspectives on the topic.
3. Use examples
Find examples for every reason for and against the argument.
Depending on the subject, you will need to use different examples. For example, you might use statistics and case studies for Science, and scholarly quotes and literary techniques for English.
4. Give a judgement
Always state your final opinion based on the reasons you explored.
Try to use reason and logic to determine this answer. Don’t forget to explain why your opinion is valid after you discussed the for and against arguments.
Recognise or note/indicate as being distinct or different from; to note differences between
‘Distinguish’ requires you to find the differences between two things.
You don’t need to discuss the similarities.
1. Identify ‘distinguish’ on the ALARM
‘Distinguish’ is usually an ‘analyse’ term. It can also be an ‘evaluate’ term in some cases. This means that you need to:
2. Explain the differences
You need to recognise the different characteristics, features, impacts and/or purposes of the two things.
It’s not enough to simply identify the difference, you have to be descriptive.
Remember to use connective words that show a contrast between the two things, like ‘however’, ‘although’, ‘unlike’ and ‘contrastingly’.
3. Give examples
You can’t simply explain the differences without showing an example of it! That’s not strong enough to achieve full marks.
After every point or group of points, try to give a relevant example to back up your explanation.
4. Make a judgement
Sometimes, the question implies that you need to make a judgement about which thing is more effective, better, or appropriate.
So, after you’ve distinguished the different characteristics between the two things, decide which thing is more effective, better or appropriate.
Make a judgement based on criteria; determine the value of
‘Evaluate’ means that you need to determine the value or quality of the thing by examining its features and purposes.
1. Position ‘evaluate’ on the ALARM
‘Evaluate’ is an ‘evaluative’ term. So this means that you need to:
2. Make a judgement
Determine the value, effectiveness, quality or worth of the thing.
3. Analyse and provide examples
Go into quite a bit of detail about the thing. These include characteristics, features, impacts and effects. You need to illustrate your skills and knowledge. So, try to draw connections between different ideas and determine why something may have more or less value.
Inquire into
‘Examine’ requires you to go into extreme detail about something. You need to use critical thinking skills and observations to investigate the facts.
Sometimes, you may need to look into different perspectives by different scholars and critics to break down the topic.
1. Identify where ‘examine’ sits on the ALARM?
‘Examine’ is an ‘analyse’ term. This means that you have to:
2. Break down the topic
You need to investigate every feature, characteristic and purpose in detail.
Remember, ‘examine’ questions don’t require you to explore a wide variety of characteristics or information like discuss questions. Instead, they want you to explore a few main characteristics in great depth.
3. Use examples and evidence
When an HSC verb requires you to go into detail about a particular topic, you always need to use examples. This will show that you have a strong understanding of the topic and are able to ground it in real life.
Relate cause and effect; make the relationships between things evident; provide why and/or how
NESA defines ‘explain’ in 3 ways:
Simply describing the characteristics of something isn’t good enough. You need to go into detail and determine the relationships and cause and effect.
1. Identify ‘explain’ on the ALARM
‘Explain’ sits in the ‘explain’ category. Therefore, this includes:
‘Explain’ questions require more detail than a ‘describe’ question. You should use examples to support your answer.
2. Determine the cause and effect
Continuously ask yourself ‘why’ or ‘how’ and break down the topic until it is clear. Each succeeding sentence should clarify the consequences of the sentence before it.
Doing this will help you find a relationship between different points, figure out the cause and effect, and properly explain the topic.
You don’t want to leave any missing gaps of knowledge.
Choose relevant and/or appropriate details
‘Extract’ requires you to use your critical thinking skills to determine which pieces of information are the most important from a set of given information.
You may be asked to extract the main ideas in an essay for English, or the results in a Science practical report.
1. Position ‘extract’ on the ALARM:
‘Extract’ belongs in the ‘describe’ category. This means that you need to:
2. Read the given information carefully and find key points
When you first read the given information, try to understand it as a whole.
In your second reading, look for specific information that your question is asking you to ‘extract’.
Highlight or underline these so it’s obvious. You don’t want to begin writing and forget where all the pieces of information are.
3. Describe it
Now, identify these points and describe them. Figure out their characteristics and features, not only their meaning.
Remember, you need to go into more detail than what is given to you. If you’re simply restating the points provided in the information, then you are identifying, not extracting!
Infer from what is known
‘Extrapolate’ is similar to ‘extract’, as you need to find answers from the given information. However, ‘extrapolate’ is also more challenging than ‘extract’ because the answer is not so easily found.
You need to look at the information, understand it, and read between the lines to figure out the answer.
In Maths and Sciences, you may need to figure out future trends by looking at the patterns in the given information. In Humanities subjects, you may need to find hidden meanings and conclusions in the provided extracts.
1. Position ‘extrapolate’ in the ALARM:
‘Extrapolate’ is an ‘analyse’ term. Therefore you need to:
2. Read the information provided and infer the important details
Like ‘extract’ questions, you should read your information twice. In the first reading, try to understand the content. In the second reading, find the relevant information.
After this, you need to use your critical thinking skills to determine what the information really means.
Recognise and name
‘Identify’ requires you to use your knowledge to simply list the idea or information.
1. Position ‘identify’ on the ALARM
‘Identify’ belongs in the ‘identify’ category. This means:
You don’t have to go into detail about their characteristics–that would be ‘describing’.
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Draw meaning from
‘Interpret’ requires you to understand the information given to you and determine it’s meaning.
You need to explain clearly why and how you came to that conclusion.
1. Determine where ‘interpret’ belongs on the ALARM
‘Interpret’ is an ‘analyse’ term. This means that that you need to:
2. Read the information and determine it’s meaning
Read the provided information at least twice. In the first reading, try to understand what is being said. In the second reading, try to understand what it means.
Plan, inquire into and draw conclusions about
When you ‘investigate’, you’re examining the facts and small details about something, and researching to figure out the value, accuracy, effectiveness, or worth of something.
It’s different from ‘examine’ because ‘investigate’ requires you to inquire and search for the facts yourself, as opposed to carefully observing.
1. Identify ‘investigate’ on the ALARM:
‘Investigate’ is an evaluative term. Therefore, you need to:
2. Research or inquire into the information
You need to demonstrate that you completed your research about the topic and are well versed in it. Depending on the topic, subject and question, you may need to know its issues, different perspectives about the topic, and facts.
So, be descriptive, analytical, and dig deep. As you explain the facts and perspectives, you should also provide some judgement.
For example, “This is done effectively”, “The new machine does not function as well as older versions” etc.
3. Use examples
‘Investigate’ requires you to research a topic. So, you need to have examples to demonstrate that you have completed this step!
4. Make a judgement
At the beginning and the end of your response, you should state your perspective about the topic. Is it valuable, effective, high or low quality, accurate or worthless?
Make your judgement based on the research you gathered.
Support an argument or conclusion
‘Justify’ means you have to use evidence and examples to prove something about the topic. Your writing has to be convincing and you need strong arguments and facts to support your case.
Sometimes, you may be asked to give your own opinion, other times, you are given a position. Either way, you need to demonstrate your persuasive and critical thinking skills.
1. Identify ‘justify’ on the ALARM
‘Justify is an ‘evaluative’ term. Therefore, you should:
2. Make a judgement
Determine the thing’s worth, value, quality or effectiveness. Write your judgement in the beginning and the end.
3. Figure your arguments
Find reasons to support your judgement. These are your arguments.
Like an essay, you want these points to convince the readers while simultaneously demonstrating your wide knowledge.
You can also delve into opposing arguments and determine why it is not as ‘good’ as your stance.
4. Use relevant evidence and examples
To write a convincing response, you need to include evidence and examples to support your case. These ground your arguments in real life and really hammer down your point to the readers.
Ensure that your evidence are strong and relevant.
Sketch in general terms; indicate the main features of
‘Outline’ requires to you present the main points about something. You don’t need to go into detail about its features or characteristics.
1. Where does ‘outline’ sit on the ALARM
‘Outline’ belongs in the ‘identify’ category. Therefore you need to:
Simply identify the main points. There’s no need to write more.
Suggest what may happen based on available information
‘Predict’ requires you to find a pattern or trend in a set of information and/or facts to determine what will happen in the future.
1. Where does it belong on the ALARM
‘Predict’ is an ‘analyse’ term. This means that you need to:
2. Determine an outcome
You can’t predict something if you don’t know anything about it.
So, gather your knowledge about its characteristics, functions, purposes, and its impacts and effects to determine a conclusion or trend.
3. Provide reasons
Explain why you think a certain outcome is going to occur.
These may include identifying common trends between one thing and another, and/or figuring a logical process of events.
You need to discuss the characteristics, functions, purposes, and impacts and effects to determine this.
4. Use examples and evidence (information and facts)
You must use examples and evidence to support your reasons. You can’t prove something effectively if you can’t show how something works in real life.
For example, you predict that global sea levels will continue to rise if we don’t tackle carbon emission rates now. You need statistics about current sea-level trends, rates of carbon emission, scientific research and reports that support the correlation between carbon emission and sea-level trends, and maybe some case studies.
These examples support your reasons to make your readers better understand and believe your predictions.
Put forward (for example a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration or action
‘Propose’ requires you to suggest a perspective, idea, argument or plan for other people to consider, accept and/or take action.
These type of questions require you to not only be convincing but come up with a strategic and logical action/plan that your readers can follow.
1. Determine where ‘propose’ belongs on the ALARM
‘Propose’ is an evaluative term because it requires you to determine the best point of view, idea, argument or suggestion. So, you need to:
2. Determine your thesis
Depending on your question, you may be asked to put forward a perspective, idea, argument or suggestion (action plan).
You need to consider the features, characteristics, function, impacts, effect of the thing to evaluate the thing and determine your thesis.
3. Determine your call to action
Your ‘call to action’ is what you want your audience to do after they read your response. This is what makes ‘propose’ questions different to other question types.
Do you want them to begin doing something or maybe want them to consider your perspectives and ideas?
Your call to action should become a part of your thesis. Your reasons and arguments should all lead your readers to feel like they should follow your call to action.
3. Write your reasons and examples
You need to convince your readers why they should consider your judgement and take action. This means you need to provide convincing points and examples to support them.
Like an essay, structure your points according to its strength.
Present remembered ideas, facts or experiences
‘Recall’ requires you to remember ideas, facts or experiences that you learnt.
You don’t need to provide extreme detail about these recollections. You can just write down the main point.
1. Where does ‘recall’ belong on the ALARM
‘Recall’ is an ‘identify’ term. So, all you need to do is:
Provide reasons in favour
‘Recommend’ means that you have to suggest an idea and provide reasons that support it.
Present your idea as being worthy of being considered.
1. Where does recommend belong on the ALARM
‘Recommend’ is a ‘critically analyse’ and ‘evaluative’ term. This means that you need to:
2. Make a judgement
Determine which option is the best one to recommend to your readers.
This means that you have to consider its quality, value, worth, and effectiveness.
3. Provide reasons and examples
You need to convince your readers to consider your recommendation.
So, find strong arguments that support your recommendation and provide examples to further prove these arguments.
Retell a series of events
‘Recount’ requires you to simply give the facts about what happened, in order.
You don’t need to go into extreme detail for these questions. Just tell it as it happened.
‘Recount’ is an ‘identify’ term. This means that you need to:
Simply guide the reader step by step through the series of events.
Express, concisely, the relevant details
‘Summarise’ requires you to state the information in a brief and concise way; describe the main points.
1. Determine where ‘summarise’ belongs on the ALARM
‘Summarise’ is a ‘describe’ term. Therefore, you need to:
2. Describe each main point (components)
You need to firstly identify the main points. Then, describe its characteristics and features to give the audience a brief understanding of it.
Putting together various elements to make a whole
‘Synthesise’ requires you to combine different ideas and pieces of information together to make it into an overall idea.
You may need to show how your ideas or research fit in with everything else.
It’s similar to a ‘summarise’ question. However, it requires more critical thinking skill and you need to demonstrate a higher depth of knowledge.
1. Determine where ‘synthesise’ sits on the ALARM
‘Synthesise’ is an ‘analyse’ term. Therefore, you need to:
2. Find a relationship between pieces of information
You need to carefully examine different points and identify where they relate or diverge from each other.
When you’re doing this, you’ll begin to realise there is an overarching theme that relates to nearly all of the points.
3. Write your findings and use examples
You should introduce the overall theme and describe it before you go into more detail about each individual idea that relates to the idea. Then, you can introduce the other ideas that don’t relate to the overall theme.
Don’t forget to explain how these different points relate or don’t relate to one another.
Your aim is to identify where the information converges and diverges from each other.
Here are some quick tips to help you achieve full marks:
Print out and stick your ALARM table somewhere you can easily see it.
It’s best if you can remember the definitions of each of these verbs. But, if you do forget, you can always recall where they sit on the ALARM to help you answer the question!
Practice makes perfect!
Each subject will require you to approach the questions a little differently. So, you keep practising to learn how to answer them properly and efficiently.
After a while, you don’t even need to think about ‘how’ to answer these HSC verbs, it will come naturally to you!
Always read past paper solutions and sample answers! This will give you a better understanding of how to answer different questions for different subjects.
You can go through the sample answers and highlight the different components of the ALARM to see how they tackled it.
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