Key Testing Words Know what to do when you see these words on a test…more than one is bound to pop up!

ANALYZE To start by using examples and build into the bigger picture. Make sure you show how the parts are connected to the whole. Ex. –Analyze the speaker’s attitude toward the teacher in the poem. Use two examples from the poem to support your response.

COMPARE  Use specific details to show similarities.  Make sure you share details about both topics (don’t be one sided).  Ex. Compare the setting of “Autumntime” to cities of today. Use details from the passage to support your response.

CONTRAST  Use specific details to clearly show differences.  Make sure you share details about both topics (don’t be one sided)!  Ex. Compare and contrast the protagonist and antagonist in this passage.

DESCRIBE  Write about the most important parts of the topic.  Give specific details about the characteristics, properties or qualities of the topic.  Ex. Describe Marvin’s attitude toward his experience at Big Band National Park.

EXPLAIN  Write about the topic so it is easily understood.  Give the “how” and the “why” of events or situations, or include causes and results.  Give supporting details from the story.  Ex. Explain the main conflict of the passage and how it is resolved.

IDENTIFY  Pick out or find the important details about a topic.  Use information right from the story.  Requires the least amount of explanation.  Ex. In a short paragraph, identify details that support the main idea that the uncovering of Pompeii was an important historical discovery.

SUMMARIZE  Give a shortened version of the main points of a story.  Do not include examples and small details.  Be careful not to retell!  Ex. In your own words, summarize the powers of the Supreme Court and how the decisions of the Supreme Court have affected the lives of American Citizens.

TRACE  Describe the history of a topic from its place of origin (or from the point of origin in the text).  Include specific details.  More similar to a retelling.  Ex. Trace the history of Daylight Savings Time in the US. Be sure to keep in mind the sequence of events as they occur in the story.