Test-Taking Vocabulary
Analyze: Break into separate parts and discuss,
examine, or interpret each part.
Compare: Examine two or more
things. Identify similarities and
differences.
Context: The words that
surround a particular word and help to
determine or deepen its meaning.
Conflict: The problem or
struggle that the characters face in a
story.
Contrast: Show differences. Set in opposition.
Criticize: Make judgments.
Evaluate comparative worth.
Criticism often involves analysis.
Dialogue: The exact words spoken by the characters in a
story.
Define: Give the meaning; usually a
meaning specific to the course or subject. Determine the precise limits of the term
to be defined. Explain the exact meaning. Definitions
are usually short.
Describe: Give a detailed
account. Make a picture with words. List characteristics, qualities, and parts.
Discuss: Consider and debate
or argue the pros and cons of an issue.
Write about and conflict. Compare
and contrast.
Enumerate: List several ideas,
aspects, events,things,
qualities, reasons, etc.
Essay: A piece of writing that expresses a person’s point of
view or talks about a single topic.
Evaluate: Give your opinion or cite the opinion of an
expert. Include evidence to support
the evaluation.
Explain: Make an idea clear.
Show logically how a concept is developed. Give the reasons for
an event.
Exposition: The beginning part of a story or play that describes the
setting and introduces the
characters.
Fiction: Literature that tells
stories about characters and
settings that the writer makes up.
Figurative Language: Language used by
authors in writing to create a special effect of feeling
(metaphors, alliteration, similes, etc.)
Genre: A French word that
means a type or form of literature
(ex. Biography, fantasy, historical fiction, etc.).
Illustrate: Give concrete
examples. Explain clearly by using comparisons or
examples.
Imagery: The use of
descriptive words to create a mental picture in the reader’s mind.
Interpret: Comment upon, give examples, describe
relationships. Explain the meaning. Describe,
then evaluate.
Justify: Provide factual
evidence or logical reasons. In such an answer, evidence
should be presented in convincing form.
List: Present an itemized series of items. Be
concise.
Narrator: The person that is telling the story.
Opinion: A statement of
someone’s ideas or feelings – not fact.
Outline: Describe main ideas,
characteristics, or events. (Does not
necessarily mean "write a Roman numeral/letter
outline.")
Passage: A short piece of
writing.
Plot: The action or series of events that make
up the story.
Predict: Use information
from the literature to guess what will
happen.
Prove: Support with facts (especially facts
presented in class or in the test.)
Relate: Show the connections
between ideas or events. Provide a larger context.
State: Explain precisely.
Summarize: Give a brief,
condensed account. Include conclusions. Avoid unnecessary
details.
Support: Use evidence from the selection to prove your
answer.
Theme: A statement of the
most important idea; the message that the author wants
his/her audience to learn
Tone: The attitude of the
author toward his/her subject or
writing topic.
Trace: Show the order of
events or progress of a subject or event.