Test-Taking Vocabulary

Power Words• 12 Power Words• Trace - outline, list the steps• Analyze - break apart, study the pieces• Infer - read between the lines• Evaluate - judge, give value• Formulate - put together, create• Describe - tell about, 5W’s and the H• Support - back-up with details, give reasons• Explain - tell how, tell a story• Summarize - sum it up, give the main points• Compare - like• Contrast - different• Predict - make a guess, what will happen next

Trace: Show the order of

events or progress of a subject or event.

Analyze: Break into separate parts and discuss,

examine, or interpret each part.

Infer: Read between the

lines.

Evaluate: Give your opinion or cite the opinion of an

expert. Include evidence to support

the evaluation.

Formulate: Put together, create.

Describe: Give a detailed

account. Make a picture with words. List characteristics, qualities, and parts.

Support: Use evidence from the selection to prove your

answer.

Explain: Make an idea clear.

Show logically how a concept is developed. Give the reasons for

an event.

Summarize: Give a brief,

condensed account. Include conclusions. Avoid unnecessary

details.

Compare: Examine two or more

things. Identify similarities and

differences.

Contrast: Show differences. Set in opposition.

Predict: Use information

from the literature to guess what will

happen.

Power Words

• Purpose: A) Establish a school wide vocabulary aimed at improving test scores. B) Give students a visual memory key for each power word (12 words matrix).