Action Verbs

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Action Verbs from the Syllabus

(Summary)

Define

State

List

Outline

Compare

Give the precise meaning of a word or phrase as concisely as possible

Give a specific name or other brief answer. No supporting argument or calculation is necessary.

Give a sequence of names or other brief answers with no elaboration. Each one should be clearly distinguished from the others. The number required may be specified.

Give a brief account or summary, including essential information only

Give an account of similarities and differences between two (or more) items, referring to both (all) of them throughout. comparisons can be given using a table.

Describe Give a detailed account, including all the relevant information

Explain

Give a clear account including causes, reasons (why) or mechanisms

(how)

Evaluate Assess the implications and limitations

Few words

Few words

Few words

1 2 sentences

A paragraph

A paragraph

More than 1 paragraph

More than 1 paragraph

More than 1 paragraph

Analyze Interpret information to reach conclusions

Discuss

Give an account including, where possible, a range of arguments, assessments of the relative importance of various factors or comparison of alternative hypotheses or ideas. ‘Weigh up’

arguments.

At least 2 good paragraphs

Example: Consider the following question/answers

Q:

List

(or State) the 4 functions of a computer system

A: Input, Process, Output, Storage

Q:

Outline

the 4 functions of a computer system

A: 1) Input to get data from user 2) Output to give data to user

3) Process to manipulate data 4) Storage to keep data for later

Q:

Describe

the 4 functions of a computer system

A: The function of input is to get information from the user or other device for processing. For example, a keyboard is the most common means of getting text into the computer. (Then do

something similar for the other 3 functions)

Q:

Explain

why the 4 functions of a computer system are inter-dependent

A: The functions of input, output, processing and storage are inter-dependent within a computer system. These functions are constantly in use within a computer system (with the exception of storage, when a user chooses not to save, or is careless and forgets to save).

Without input, a computer system will have nothing to process or output. Without processing, the computer system just wouldn't work as processing is the crux of a computer system.

Output is essential for the user to see what's going on, and without it, he/she wouldn't know what (or when) to input. Imagine a computer system without a monitor, for example. It would be very difficult to see what you were typing or to use the mouse to tell the computer to print.

Similarly, without a keyboard, it would be quite difficult to enter text for an essay, especially considering the weak performance voice recognition software typically offers. Even so, voice recognition software would be a way to input such an essay, however this is input and if input didn't exist the computer simply would not have data to process.

Processing of data, as mentioned, is at the heart of a computer's purpose. Processing is to manipulate data in the computer. The computer is said to be processing no matter what action it is taking upon the data; whether the data is actually being updated in a database or just being displayed on screen. So clearly, by definition, we cannot process without input or output.

Finally, rarely do we use a computer system without storing what we've done. Storage takes the data that has been input and processed (and perhaps outputted) and saves it for reference later. Furthermore we read from (input) and write to (output) storage devices, and the act of doing so is processing; and therefore very inter-related.

Q:

Discuss

the impact that CD and DVD writers have had on the entertainment industry with regard to social and ethical issues.

A:

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