After being in school for 8 years between high school and university, the one type of question that I hated the most was the short answer question. The multiple choice stuff is no problem since you can easily coin toss the answers if you don’t know anything. Essay questions are kitchen-sinkable. I remember my TA mentioning once if you’re not quite sure what to write for the essay question, the best thing to do was write as much as you know and make it fit. After all, if you hurl enough shit against a wall some of it will stick.
But the short answer question represented a significant bane in my academic existence. They used different wording like evaluate or contrast or identify. In my younger years, I had no idea what they were asking for. Since I’ve reached the old age of 22, it’s time for me to pass on my knowledge to the younger generation.
If you ever see cue words like the following, you’ll have a better idea of what they mean.
Contrast: List the differences between two things.
Example: Contrast the characters Mumble and Ramon in the movie Happy Feet
Answer: Mumble is much taller than Ramone and possesses excellent dance skills. Ramone is a far superior singer than Mumble.
Describe: Show and talk about what happened or what you’re seeing.
Example: Describe Frodo’s journey from the Shire to Mordor.
Answer: It was a long and perilous journey with a fat halfling and a creature that had half the theatre wanting to punch him in the face so he could stop talking.
Summarize: List the main points. Don’t go into details.
Example: Summarize the movie Rounders.
Answer: Guy loses a lot of money at poker. Then a massive storyline occurs where he runs around trying to win games to pay off his debt. The final showdown sees the main character winning a lot of money to pay off his debt and subsequently enter the world series of poker.
Compare: Provide similarities and differences between two things. It’s like contrast with more stuff.
Example: Compare the social networking sites of Facebook and Myspace.
Answer: Both revolve around the central concept of finding and meeting other people online. Myspace features flexible profile pages for individuals whereas Facebook maintains a uniform look across the pages of its users.
Prove: Lead the reader from facts and evidence to a logical conclusion.
Example: Prove that it Curtis took the cookies from the cookie jar.
Answer: The cookie jar was discovered open in Curtis’ room on its side with the lid on the table. There were no cookies inside it. Timmy’s shirt was covered in crumbs. His hands showed cookie residue. From the evidence, we can infer that it was in fact Curtis who took the cookies from the cookie jar.
Criticize: Give your opinion on something.
Example: Criticize Paris Hilton.
Answer: Too easy.
Define: Write down the meaning of a concept or word. Is usually followed by the phrase “Provide an example”
Example: Define Gabriel’s Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory.
Answer: The theory goes that a normal person who is given anonymity and has an audience will act like a complete moron. This implies that a normal person who’s identity is readily available will generally not act like a moron although there are exceptions to this case.
Identify: State the obvious answer.
Example: Identify one advantage that mac users have over PC users.
Answer: Mac users will typically enjoy a higher degree of security and stability because not many virus makers will develop viruses that will go after them.
Justify: Offer some support and evidence to a certain viewpoint or position.
Example: Justify Professor Dumbledore’s death at the hands of Professor Snape.
Answer: Dumbledore told him to so he could infiltrate the armies of he who must not be named.
I hope this helps! May all your answers be swift and your multiple choice guesses correct!