Words and Precise Meanings
September 16, 2025 · Maya Lee
Match each verb on the left to the most accurate meaning on the right. The purpose is precision—exactly what assignment prompts expect. Use the selectors here to check your understanding.
Matching Exercise
- Compare
- Contrast
- Evaluate
- Interpret
- Justify
- Outline
- Analyze
- Define
- Describe
- Discuss
- Explain
- Summarize
- Synthesize
- Critique
- Illustrate
- Differentiate
- Argue
- Propose
- Assess
- Classify
- C. Assess the value of something, which might include offering a personal, reasoned judgement.
- N. Evaluate strengths and weaknesses with reasoned evidence; suggest improvements.
- G. Break a topic into component parts and explain how the parts relate to the whole.
- L. Present the main points concisely, omitting detail and illustration.
- Q. Present a position and support it with logical reasoning and evidence.
- H. State the precise meaning of a term or concept, often distinguishing it from related terms.
- O. Make something clear by using specific examples, cases, or simple figures.
- I. Give a detailed, factual account of key characteristics without evaluation.
- K. Make clear the meaning or mechanism of something, often by giving reasons and examples.
- E. Give reasons for decisions or conclusions reached; include evidence and address likely objections.
- R. Put forward a plan or solution, specifying rationale, steps, and potential risks.
- A. Point out similarities and differences between two or more items; may include a conclusion as to the preferred view.
- B. Set two views in opposition in order to highlight the differences between them.
- P. Show how two or more things are distinct by identifying defining features.
- S. Judge the importance, size, or value of something using clear criteria.
- T. Arrange items into categories according to shared characteristics and justify the categories.
- F. Give an overview of the general principles and/or main features of a subject, omitting fine detail.
- M. Combine insights from multiple sources to produce a coherent, original account.
- J. Consider a topic from multiple angles, presenting arguments for and against before reaching a view.
- D. Give reasons for decisions or conclusions reached, which might include responding to possible objections.
Model Examples (Use in Sentences)
The examples below show how each verb appears in rigorous prompts and responses.
Compare
Point out similarities and differences between two or more items; may include a conclusion as to the preferred view.
Example: Compare renewable subsidies in India and Nepal, noting cost-per-kWh and grid stability.
Contrast
Set two views in opposition in order to highlight the differences between them.
Example: Contrast “command-and-control” regulation with market-based carbon pricing.
Evaluate
Assess the value of something, which might include offering a personal, reasoned judgement.
Example: Evaluate whether a cash-transfer program improved school attendance beyond seasonal trends.
Interpret
Give reasons for decisions or conclusions reached, which might include responding to possible objections.
Example: Interpret the election results by linking turnout shifts to local unemployment data.
Justify
Give reasons for decisions or conclusions reached; include evidence and address likely objections.
Example: Justify the choice of difference-in-differences by discussing parallel trends tests.
Outline
Give an overview of the general principles and/or main features of a subject, omitting fine detail.
Example: Outline the steps in randomized controlled trial design from recruitment to analysis.
Analyze
Break a topic into component parts and explain how the parts relate to the whole.
Example: Analyze household expenditure data by separating necessities, durables, and discretionary items.
Define
State the precise meaning of a term or concept, often distinguishing it from related terms.
Example: Define “elasticity of demand” and distinguish it from slope.
Describe
Give a detailed, factual account of key characteristics without evaluation.
Example: Describe the sampling frame and response rate of the 2022 labor survey.
Discuss
Consider a topic from multiple angles, presenting arguments for and against before reaching a view.
Example: Discuss the merits and limits of using GDP per capita as a welfare measure.
Explain
Make clear the meaning or mechanism of something, often by giving reasons and examples.
Example: Explain how automatic stabilizers moderate recessions through progressive taxation.
Summarize
Present the main points concisely, omitting detail and illustration.
Example: Summarize the report’s findings on teacher absenteeism in three sentences.
Synthesize
Combine insights from multiple sources to produce a coherent, original account.
Example: Synthesize findings from RCTs and quasi-experiments on microcredit impacts.
Critique
Evaluate strengths and weaknesses with reasoned evidence; suggest improvements.
Example: Critique the paper’s instrument by examining exclusion restrictions and weak-IV tests.
Illustrate
Make something clear by using specific examples, cases, or simple figures.
Example: Illustrate adverse selection with a used-car market example.
Differentiate
Show how two or more things are distinct by identifying defining features.
Example: Differentiate correlation from causation with counterfactual reasoning.
Argue
Present a position and support it with logical reasoning and evidence.
Example: Argue that congestion pricing is more efficient than fuel taxes in dense cities.
Propose
Put forward a plan or solution, specifying rationale, steps, and potential risks.
Example: Propose a monitoring plan for a municipal housing program with quarterly KPIs.
Assess
Judge the importance, size, or value of something using clear criteria.
Example: Assess the fiscal sustainability of the scheme using debt-to-GDP projections.
Classify
Arrange items into categories according to shared characteristics and justify the categories.
Example: Classify municipal projects into “shovel-ready,” “design-phase,” and “concept.”
Answer Key
Reveal after attempting the exercise. Letters correspond to the meanings listed on the right above.
| Verb | Correct Letter |
|---|---|
| Compare | A |
| Contrast | B |
| Evaluate | C |
| Interpret | D |
| Justify | E |
| Outline | F |
| Analyze | G |
| Define | H |
| Describe | I |
| Discuss | J |
| Explain | K |
| Summarize | L |
| Synthesize | M |
| Critique | N |
| Illustrate | O |
| Differentiate | P |
| Argue | Q |
| Propose | R |
| Assess | S |
| Classify | T |
How to Use This Page
- Complete the matching; then write your own one-sentence example for each verb.
- When drafting assignments, underline task verbs and restate them in your opening plan.
- Keep your responses aligned with the precise meaning—that is the purpose of the test.