Transcript Extended response question analysis - xx-HSC-PDHPE-xx

Extended response questions can be broken down into parts so that you can
better understand what you are being asked to do. It is important to identify
key words and phrases in the topic.
An Example Question: Examine the impact that a low socioeconomic status
can have on the health of young people.
Task Word: Examine
Task words indicate what you are being asked to do. They are usually verbs.
In the above question, the task word is examine.
Examine (in an essay) means’ inquire into'.
Limiting Words: low socioeconomic status, young people.
Focus words set and define the essay. They are usually about the topic area/s.
Limiting words help you to focus your research and reading on the correct
area.
Key words are words in a question
that tell you the approach you should
take when answering an essay
question.
Task Words tell you what you have to do; the
action(s) you need to perform.
Discuss the benefits of supplementation on the
performance of female athletes. (Task words
are highlighted)
This word implies that there are different views
on the subject of supplementation, and asks
you to use your judgement to assess the extent
to which supplementation benefits the group
mentioned and the extent to which it poses
problems for them.
Limiting Words limit and define the essay, making
it workable.
Discuss the benefits of supplementation on the
performance of female athletes. (Limiting words
are highlighted)
benefits, supplementation, performance, female,
athlete. These words narrow the scope of the
topic. They tell you that you should concentrate
on the benefits and problems of supplementation
and that you should focus your attention on
females who are athletes.
Content Words tell you what the focus is and
what you should write about.
Discuss the benefits of supplementation on the
performance of female athletes. (Content
words are highlighted)
supplementation. This word indicates the main
subject of your essay.
Look for the keywords in your essay question
and underline them. Spend some time working
out what they mean.
Content words define the topic area further,
indicating aspects of the topic you should
narrowly concentrate on.
Discuss the benefits of supplementation on the
performance of female athletes
For example, in this question, you should not
just write about supplementation in sport, but
focus on describing the benefits
supplementation has on females and their
sporting performance.
Some questions are more complex. They might
have a number of parts or may not include a
clear task word, which can make them appear
confusing.
In order to understand what you must do, you
need to work out your task by looking at the
entire question. Look for clues in the limiting
and content words and in the relationships
between words and phrases.
Some questions consist of a statement or a
proposition that requires a discussion. Such
questions often provide a quotation or
statement, followed by a task word such as
'discuss'. EG: Athletes are born not made.
Other questions include a direction such as
'explain the significance' of' a given statement.
Some questions include specific instructions.
They might require you to include certain
material, use specific sources or to take a
particular approach. Make sure you follow these
instructions.
‘Epidemiology is used to determine health care
expenditure. Discuss.’
'Account for greater proportion of health
funding being spent on Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders.‘
'The psychology of the athlete is as important to
sports performance as is their level of skill
acquisition.‘
Use words such as ...similar to, like, unlike,
however, in contrast to, what is better / worse,
'Indigenous Australians experience lower levels
of access to health services than the general
population.’ Analyse the factors determining
access.
'Why would an athete have a massage after a
hard training session?
How would you measure the success of the
RTA’s road safety campaigns? Give reasons for
your view.'
'To what extent does the Healthy School
Canteen policy reflect the Ottawa Charter.‘
'What traits of a young person will have a
positive effect on their level of health?'
to separate and examine the main ideas and
analyse
issues
compare to look at, and identify similarities
contrast to look at, and identify differences
explain the exact meaning of a word, term,
define
theory, concept or idea, using examples where
helpful
give details about something so that it can be
describe
understood
examine key points and possible
discuss interpretations; give arguments for and against,
and draw a conclusion
evaluate
examine
explain
illustrate
interpret
justify
outline
show
give an opinion, supported by evidence, on the
worth or value of something
similar to analyse
give a detailed account of; give reasons for
make something clear by providing details and
examples
explain the meaning of something
provide reasons and evidence for something;
show that it is reasonable
indicate the principal features
demonstrate by examples
Assumption
Issue
Methodology
Objective
Something which is accepted as being
true for the purpose of an argument.
An important topic for discussion;
something worth thinking and raising
questions about.
A system of methods and principles for
doing something. Often used to explain
methods for carrying out research.
It is the point or the thing aimed at. It is
what you want to achieve by a
particular activity.
Do your best!