Task Verbs

Vocabulary flashcards covering the task verbs commonly used in AP Biology free-response questions.

Calculate

Perform mathematical steps to arrive at a final answer, including algebraic expressions, properly substituted numbers, and correct labeling of units and significant figures.

Construct/Draw

Create a diagram, graph, representation, or model that illustrates or explains relationships or phenomena; labels may or may not be required.

Describe

Provide relevant characteristic(s) of a specified topic.

Determine

Decide or conclude after reasoning, observation, or applying mathematical routines (calculations).

Evaluate

Judge or determine the significance or importance of information, or the quality or accuracy of a claim.

Explain

Provide information about how or why a relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using evidence and/or reasoning to support or qualify a claim.

Identify

Indicate or provide information about a specified topic, without elaboration.

Justify

Provide evidence to support, qualify, or defend a claim, and give reasoning that explains how the evidence supports or qualifies the claim.

Make a claim

Make an assertion that is based on evidence or knowledge.

Predict/Make a prediction

Forecast the causes or effects of a change in, or disruption to, one or more components in a relationship, pattern, process, or system.

Represent

Use appropriate graphs, symbols, words, illustrations, or tables of numerical values to describe biological concepts, characteristics, and/or relationships.

State (the null hypothesis)

Indicate or provide a hypothesis to support or defend a claim about a scientifically testable question related to the experimental variables.

Support a claim

Provide reasoning that explains how evidence supports or qualifies a claim.