VCE study reference · Exam language
Understand VCE command terms for your subject with clear definitions, illustrative examples and practical guidance on what a strong response needs to include.
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12 study-design focus termsare highlighted as general starting points. Choose a subject for a more tailored focus.View VCAA study design
The reference
Break something into parts and examine how the parts relate, to draw out patterns or implications.
Break the material into relevant parts. Use evidence to explain how the parts relate and what that relationship means.
Analyse how two factors are related and what the evidence shows.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Say how or why something happens, giving the reasoning.
Show how or why something happens. Link the reasoning, causes or stages to the result rather than only naming it.
Explain why the process occurs.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Make a judgement using criteria and supporting evidence.
Use stated or relevant criteria, weigh evidence and limitations, and finish with a reasoned judgement. In mathematics, “evaluate” can instead mean find a value.
Evaluate the effectiveness of an approach using evidence.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Show how things are alike and how they differ: similarities and differences.
Use the same points of comparison for both items. Explain meaningful similarities and differences with evidence.
Compare two approaches using the same criteria.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Work out a numerical answer, showing the numerical working.
Show the method, substitution and working. Give a clearly labelled answer with appropriate units and rounding where needed.
Calculate a value from the information provided.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Support a claim with reasoned argument and evidence.
State the decision or claim and support it with linked reasons, evidence or calculations.
Justify a choice using a reason and supporting evidence.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Give the features, characteristics or main details of something.
Give the relevant features, characteristics or main details. Include enough detail to identify what is distinctive.
Describe the main features of a process.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Consider the different aspects, arguments or points of view on an issue.
Explore the important aspects or viewpoints and support them with evidence. Reach a conclusion when the task calls for one.
Discuss the strengths and limitations of an approach.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Recognise and name something.
Recognise and name the specific feature, factor or idea requested. Be precise about which one you mean.
Identify the feature shown in the source.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Give the main points briefly, without detail.
Give the main points or stages briefly. Include the essentials without expanding into a full discussion.
Outline the main stages briefly.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
State the precise meaning of a term, including its essential qualities.
Give the precise meaning and essential qualities. Do not replace a definition with an example alone.
Define a key term.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Use knowledge, a rule or a method in a given situation.
Identify the relevant idea, rule or method, connect it to the details in the prompt, and show how it works in this situation.
Apply a rule or model to a new situation.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Give reasons for something; explain why it happens or is the case.
Identify the cause or reason, then connect it to the result or evidence you were given.
Account for the change shown in the data.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Describe a sequence of events or transactions.
Set out the relevant events or transactions in sequence. Keep the details accurate and focused on the prompt.
Give an account of the stages in a process.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Make a judgement about the value, quality, significance or extent of something.
Use relevant criteria and evidence to judge value, quality, significance or extent. Make the judgement clear.
Assess the significance of a change using relevant criteria.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Make something clearer, for example by explaining or simplifying it.
Make the idea precise. Explain or simplify the part that could be unclear, without changing its meaning.
Clarify what a key idea means in this context.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Build or produce something, such as a graph, table, argument or diagram.
Create the requested graph, table, argument or diagram. Follow the subject conventions and label it clearly.
Construct a labelled graph from the data.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Point out the differences between things.
Focus on differences. Pair the features being contrasted so the distinction is easy to see.
Contrast the features of two explanations.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Reach a conclusion by logical reasoning from the information given.
Use the information and relevant rules to reach a logical conclusion. Show the reasoning that connects them.
Deduce a conclusion from the stated conditions.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Show clearly, using examples or evidence, how something works or why it is true.
Show how something works or why a claim is true, using a clear sequence and relevant evidence or examples.
Demonstrate why the result follows from the evidence.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Identify what makes one thing different from another.
State the feature that separates the concepts, then make clear what belongs to each one.
Distinguish between two related concepts.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
A question frame asking you to take a clear position and support it. It is not a command term in the VCAA general glossary.
Give a direct position, support it with relevant evidence or reasoning, and address a credible counterpoint if the task warrants it.
Do you agree with the position? Support your view with evidence.
Source: Common question wording; not a VCAA glossary entry.
Look at something closely and in detail, considering its parts.
Look closely at relevant parts and evidence, then explain their significance to the issue or outcome.
Examine how a factor affects an outcome.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Select or pull out relevant information from a source.
Select accurate, relevant information from the supplied source. Do not add details the source does not support.
Extract relevant evidence from the supplied source.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Extend known information or a trend beyond the given range to infer what may follow.
Extend the observed pattern beyond the supplied range. State the trend and any assumptions or limits.
Extrapolate the trend beyond the displayed data.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
A question instruction asking you to select specific examples that support the point. It is not a command term in the VCAA general glossary.
Choose specific examples that demonstrate the point. Explain the connection rather than listing unrelated examples.
Give examples that show how the concept appears in context.
Source: Common question wording; not a VCAA glossary entry.
A common question word asking you to explain the way a writer, process or factor produces an effect. It is not a command term in the VCAA general glossary.
Explain the way the writer, process or factor produces an effect. Name the relevant choices or stages and connect them to the outcome.
How does a writer use imagery to position an audience?
Source: Common question wording; not a VCAA glossary entry.
Draw a conclusion from evidence or reasoning rather than from a direct statement.
Draw a conclusion that is not stated directly. Point to the evidence or reasoning that supports it.
Infer a likely reason from the evidence.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Explain the meaning or significance of information, data or a source.
Explain what the information, data or source means in context, and support the interpretation with details.
Interpret what the data suggest.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Inquire into something systematically, collecting and examining evidence to reach conclusions.
Use a systematic approach: identify what is being examined, gather or use evidence, and report a supported finding.
Investigate whether two factors are related.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Give a number of items, one after another, usually without explanation.
Give the requested number of relevant items. Keep to the requested format unless the prompt asks for explanation.
List three relevant features.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Give the name of something.
Give the correct name or term directly. Add explanation only if the question asks for it.
Name the structure shown.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Present reasons and evidence to convince a reader or listener.
Present a clear position for the intended audience and support it with relevant reasons and evidence.
Persuade an audience to support a position.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
State what is likely to happen, based on evidence or reasoning.
State a likely outcome based on the evidence or pattern. Explain the basis and note important conditions.
Predict what may happen if a factor changes.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Put forward an idea, solution or plan for consideration.
Put forward a specific, feasible idea or solution and connect it to the need or problem.
Propose a strategy that addresses the stated problem.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Bring information to mind from memory.
Retrieve the relevant information accurately and answer directly.
Recall the key information accurately.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Put forward a course of action and give reasons for it.
Choose a course of action, explain why it is suitable using criteria or evidence, and address the stated need.
Recommend the most suitable option and explain why.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Tell what happened, in sequence.
Tell what happened in the correct sequence, including the relevant events.
Recount the relevant events in sequence.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
In mathematics, derive the stated result through a logical sequence of steps. This is additional subject guidance, not a term in the VCAA general glossary.
Work from the information in the question through the necessary logical or algebraic steps to the stated result. Do not just repeat the result.
Show that the two sides of an identity are equal.
Source: ClassConnect mathematics guidance; check your study design and teacher.
Give a brief, clear statement without extended reasoning.
Give the requested fact or conclusion clearly and briefly.
State one relevant reason.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Put forward an idea or possibility for consideration.
Offer a plausible idea or explanation that fits the evidence or situation. Add a reason when useful.
Suggest a possible explanation for the observation.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Express the main points concisely.
Condense the central ideas or findings. Keep the meaning accurate and leave out minor detail.
Summarise the main findings in a few sentences.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
Combine separate ideas or pieces of information into a connected whole.
Combine relevant ideas or evidence from different parts into one connected understanding or conclusion.
Synthesise evidence from two sources into a conclusion.
Source: Paraphrase of the VCAA general glossary. Meaning may vary by subject.
A question frame asking you to judge the degree to which a claim is supported. It is not a command term in the VCAA general glossary.
Judge the degree to which the statement is supported. Weigh relevant evidence and counterpoints, then state your position.
To what extent is the claim supported by the evidence?
Source: Common question wording; not a VCAA glossary entry.
In a mathematical task, check whether a stated result is correct using an independent calculation or substitution. This is additional subject guidance, not a term in the VCAA general glossary.
Check the stated result independently, for example by substitution or calculation, and show why the check confirms it.
Verify a proposed solution by substituting it into the original equation.
Source: ClassConnect mathematics guidance; check your study design and teacher.
Try a different word or clear your search to see the full reference.
A command term signals the kind of thinking a task asks for, such as calculating, comparing or evaluating. Choose your VCE subject to bring commonly relevant terms to the top, then search the glossary for a specific word.
The VCAA glossary gives general guidance, but a word can carry a more specific meaning in a subject or task. The examples here are original illustrations, not official VCAA exam questions or predictions. Check the current study design, the wording of the question and your teacher’s instructions.
This reference paraphrases the general VCAA glossary and adds clearly labelled classconnect study guidance where a subject-specific explanation is useful. It is an independent study aid, not official VCAA advice or an answer key.
Use the official glossary alongside the study design for your subject.
