Task Words (AP Biology) Fischer

Calculate

Preform 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 characteristics of a specified topic.

Determine

Describe 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. Explain "how" typically requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome; whereas explain "why" typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.

Identify

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

Justify

Provide evidence to support, qualify, or defend a claim, and/or provide reasoning to explain how that evidence supports or qualifies the claim.

Make a Claim

Make an assertion that is based on evidence of knowledge.

Predict/Make a prediction

Predict 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, and/or tables of numerical values to describe biological concepts, characteristics and/or relationships.

State

(The null/alternative hypothesis): Indicate or provide a hypothesis to support or defend a claim about a scientifically testable question.

Support a Claim

Provide reasoning to explain how evidence supports or qualifies a claim.

What task word is being used in this given example....

"If the temperature is lowered in the environment than the fast swimming behavior of the guppies will decrease."

State

What task word is being used in this given example....

"since p= .20 and q=.80, the heterozygote population percentage will be 32%."

Calculate

What task word is being used in this given example....

"The behavior of the pill bugs changed when they were moved to different environments. The pill bugs would move less often when placed in a moist environment."

Describe

What task word is being used in this given example....

"The pill bugs moved more often in a dry environment"

Identify

What task word is being used in this given example....

"During our study, it was concluded that pill bugs were less likely to change their environment when placed in a wet chamber. This idea is supported by previous research which states that pill bugs prefer moist environments."

Support a Claim

What task word is being used in this given example....

"A prediction was made that birds would be less likely to use mating calls if a predator was present in their environment."

Predict/Make a Prediction

What task word is being used in this given example....

"Females usually choose a male that is brightly colored and has a strong call/dance because it can indicate strong health and good genetics."

Explain

What task word is being used in this given example....

"Male birds will commonly be brightly colored and perform a complicated dance and/or song to show a potential female mate his fitness. This supports the behavior and colorful feather color of the male Wilson's Birds of Paradise."

Justify

What task word is being used in this given example....

"The claim that all organisms only care about their individual fitness as not been fully evaluated. This statement does not include the concept of altruism behavior."

Determine