BUSINESS MANAGEMENT UNITS 3 AND 4
Interpreting words in assessment
task and exam questions
Gillian Somers
Education consultant
In school-based coursework students are assessed on their understanding of
the key knowledge and key skills related to a specific outcome in either Unit
3 or 4. In the end-of-year examination all outcomes of Units 3 and 4 of VCE
Business Management are examined and all of the key knowledge and key
skills underpinning the outcomes in this pair of units are examinable.
The format of the examination for 2013 has changed—advice on the changes
was published in the February 2013 (No. 102) issue of the VCAA Bulletin:
VCE, VCAL and VET. The examination will continue to be presented in a
question-and-answer book, and will be worth a total of 65 marks. The
questions will include both short and extended responses. The final question
will be worth 10 marks and will be drawn from Unit 3 or 4, or both.
It is important for teachers to ensure that VCE Business Management students are familiar with the
question styles that can be used to assess their understanding of key knowledge and key skills in
Units 3 and 4, both in school-based coursework and the end-of-year examination. There are a
number of task words that are commonly used in assessment task and exam questions, such as:
identify, describe, discuss, explain, analyse and evaluate.
Assessment task and exam questions also contain content words, limiting words and a mark
allocation.
‘Unpacking’ a question
Teaching your students how to ‘unpack’ a question will greatly assist them in handling both their
school-based coursework assessment and exams.
The different parts of a question are:
 Task words—these words tell the student what they have to do with the topic or key
knowledge, e.g. compare, define, analyse, evaluate
 Content words—these words tell the student what areas of key knowledge need to be
addressed in the answer
 Limiting words—these words define the scope and focus of the answer. They act to limit the
subject matter so you know what should and should not be included in the answer.
 Mark and time allocation—this indicates how much the question is worth. Based on the marks
allocated a student can then work out how much time they should allow to complete that
question.
VCTA © Gillian Somers
Published April 2013
page 1
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT UNITS 3 AND 4
Commonly used task words in VCE Business Management questions
To answer questions in assessment tasks, practice exams and the end-of-year exam accurately,
students need to understand the meaning of the following task words.
Task word
Description
Analyse
Identify the main features then examine closely; examine in parts; show how the parts relate to
the whole, e.g. analyse the essential components in decision-making or in the problem-solving
process
Apply
Use the information provided or knowledge in a particular situation and make links and
connections; use theory to help in a practical example
Compare
Bring together for noting the points of likeness and difference, e.g. compare management
theory and practice
Define
Accurately state or explain the meaning of the term
Describe
Provide a detailed account of something; give the facts about something and if the question
refers to a process, provide a detailed account in sequential order
Discuss
Examine an issue or response and state arguments or opinions covering both sides of the issue
or response covered in the stimulus material
Distinguish
Recognise or show points of difference; note the distinctive characteristics
Establish criteria
Determine criteria or measures to conduct an evaluation
Explain
Make the meaning of something clear and understandable
Evaluate
Apply a weighted criteria to the relative strengths and weaknesses of the arguments raised in
the stimulus material, as well as provide your opinion
Identify
Determine or establish as being a particular thing, or determine the key characteristics or
features
Illustrate
Provide an example to support your statement or comment
Label
Describe or designate, e.g. label the organisational chart with the appropriate management
levels
List
Enter in a list with others
Outline
Provide a brief description of the term or topic
Provide
reasons/justify
Justify your choice or selection
Recommend/suggest
Present and state facts, ideas or feelings appropriate to the issue or response covered in the
stimulus material
Select
Choose one in preference to another
VCTA © Gillian Somers
Published April 2013
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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT UNITS 3 AND 4
Sample questions
VCAA Business Management examination, 2012
Question 1b
Task words
Limiting word
Identify and explain two methods from the strategy of managing quality that Webster’s could use to
ensure a high-quality chocolate product.
4 marks
Content words
Marks
Time = 6–7 minutes
Question 1d
Task words
Limiting words
Describe and justify one management practice or process from each of the three phases of the
employment cycle that could apply to Websters as it changes its focus to compete on quality.
6 marks
Content words
Marks
Time = 10–11 minutes
VCAA Business Management examination, 2011
Question 4
Explain four steps from Kotter’s 8-step theory of change management. Discuss how the effective use
of Kotter’s change theory could impact on the internal environment of an organisation.
In your answer refer to an organisation or a significant change issue you have studied this year.
(10 marks)
Task words: explain, discuss
Content words: Kotter’s 8-step theory of change management, internal environment
Limiting words: four steps, organisation/significant change issue
Mark/time allocation: 10 marks, 16–18 minutes
VCTA © Gillian Somers
Published April 2013
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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT UNITS 3 AND 4
Tasks
Use the examples on the previous page to help you complete the following tasks.
VCAA Business Management exam, 2011, Question 1e
Explain both induction and training and development. Discuss how these practices will assist in the
effective management of staff. (6 marks)
Task word(s)
_____________________________
Content word(s)
_____________________________
Limiting word(s)
_____________________________
Mark/time allocation
_____________________________
VCAA Business Management exam, 2011, Question 2a
Freda Campbell is setting up a new business in Melbourne that will manufacture and sell furniture.
Evaluate two positive and two negative contributions of large-scale organisations to the economy.
(4 marks)
Task word(s)
_____________________________
Content word(s)
_____________________________
Limiting word(s)
_____________________________
Mark/time allocation
_____________________________
VCAA Business Management exam, 2012, Question 2b
By nature, Ms Glass is a consultative manager.
Identify two characteristics of this management style, and explain one advantage and one
disadvantage of using this style. (4 marks)
Task word(s)
_____________________________
Content word(s)
_____________________________
Limiting word(s)
_____________________________
Mark/time allocation
_____________________________
VCAA Business Management exam, 2012, Question 3a
Describe two factors from the internal and/or external environments of large-scale organisations, and
discuss how they have impacted on an organisation that you have studied this year. (6 marks)
Task word(s)
_____________________________
Content word(s)
_____________________________
Limiting word(s)
_____________________________
Mark/time allocation
_____________________________
VCTA © Gillian Somers
Published April 2013
page 4