💡 Mastering Science Verbs
Ever felt confused about what your science activity is really asking you to do? You’re not alone! Science questions often use specific verbs that tell you exactly what kind of answer your teacher is looking for. Understanding these verbs can turn your “uhh…” into “aha!” — and help you score better, too.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common science activity verbs and what they really mean.
🔍 Understanding the Action Words
Each verb carries a different expectation. Check these out:
🧠 Think & Analyse
- Analyse: Break it down, look at the parts, and explain how they relate.
- Evaluate: Judge the value or effectiveness.
- Assess: Weigh up the quality, outcomes, or importance.
- Examine: Take a closer look!
- Investigate: Research and explore to reach conclusions.
- Interpret: Understand and explain the meaning behind data or events.
- Deduce: Use clues and info to draw a conclusion.
📊 Compare & Explain
- Compare: Highlight similarities and differences.
- Contrast: Focus on the differences.
- Distinguish: Tell apart one thing from another.
- Clarify: Make something easier to understand.
- Explain: Give reasons, show cause and effect, and answer “how” and “why”.
🧱 Build & Create
- Construct: Put together your ideas or materials.
- Design: Plan how something will work or look.
- Modify: Change or improve something.
- Propose: Suggest an idea or solution.
📋 Describe & Define
- Describe: Give features, characteristics, or what it looks like.
- Define: State the exact meaning.
- List: Just write the items—no need to explain (yet!).
- State: Say it clearly, no extra detail required.
- Summarise: Give the short version that covers the key points.
🧬 Investigate & Report
- Research: Dig deep into a topic.
- Account for: Explain reasons for something or what happened.
- Justify: Back up your answer with reasons or evidence.
- Outline: Give a general idea, like a blueprint.
🤔 Predict & Present
- Predict: Make a smart guess based on the facts.
- Present: Show your info clearly and logically.
- Recall: Bring back facts or events from memory.
- Record: Write down observations/data as you go.
- Recount: Tell a story of what happened (sequence matters!).
🕵️ Identity & Classify
- Identify: Recognise and name something.
- Classify: Put things into groups or categories.
- Demonstrate: Show how it works, either by doing or explaining.
💡 Pro Tip: Match Your Answer to the Verb!
Let’s say the question says:
“Compare the structures of animal and plant cells.”
That means you must mention both similarities and differences. If you just describe them separately, you’re missing the point (and marks!).
Or if it says:
“Justify your answer.”
Don’t stop at what you think. Give a reason, evidence, or explanation that supports it.
✅ Final Thoughts
Mastering these science verbs is like having a secret decoder ring. You’ll understand exactly what the question wants, and how to tackle it with confidence. Bookmark this list or keep a copy in your science notebook — it’s a game changer!
Want a printable version or a quiz to test your verb skills? Just ask! 😊