Address

How you actually allowed for, or mitigated against, something - eg: address relevant implications - say you choose legal because you have someone else's photos in your project.  Address (as opposed to describe) means explaining how you 'covered your legal backside' (say, by emailing the owner and asking permission to use them).

Analyse

When you are asked to analyse something in an NCEA assessment, you are expected to identify and examine the different components or aspects of the topic or issue, and to explore how they relate to each other and contribute to the overall understanding of the topic or issue. This may involve identifying patterns or trends, examining cause-and-effect relationships, and evaluating the significance or implications of the findings.

In general, an "analyse" response would require a higher level of critical thinking and a greater depth of understanding than a "describe" or "explain" response.

Compare and Contrast

To compare is to examine how things are similar, while to contrast is to see how they differ. A compare and contrast essay therefore looks at the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Doing this tends to indicate the student is thinking in an 'excellencey' way.

Describe

When you are asked to describe something in an NCEA assessment, you are expected to provide a thorough and accurate account of the subject or topic in question. This may involve identifying and explaining key features, characteristics, or components of the topic, as well as providing relevant examples, comparisons, or explanations.

Determine

When you are asked to determine something in an NCEA assessment, you are expected to use your knowledge, skills, and understanding to reach a conclusion or decision based on the information provided. This may involve analyzing and interpreting data, applying a set of criteria or rules, or making a judgement based on evidence.

Discuss 

When you are asked to discuss something in an NCEA assessment, you are expected to present a well-structured and balanced argument or explanation that considers multiple viewpoints or interpretations. This may involve analyzing and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of different arguments or approaches, providing relevant examples or evidence to support your arguments, and making connections or comparisons between different ideas or concepts.

Evaluate

When answering this essay question word, the key is to provide your opinion or verdict concerning the extent to which an argument or set of research findings is accurate. You may also be required to demonstrate the extent to which you agree with a particular argument or hypothesis. 

Explain

Take a definite stand; state an opinion on the question on an issue or statement contained in the question. Explain persuasively, and in some detail, why you agree or disagree. Analyze Break down a topic into its parts and discuss the relationships that exist between the whole (topic) and the parts. Be specific.

Investigate

When you are asked to investigate something in an NCEA assessment, you are expected to conduct research or gather information in a structured and methodical way, using appropriate sources and methods. This may involve identifying and framing a research question or hypothesis, designing and conducting experiments or surveys, analyzing and interpreting data, and drawing conclusions or making recommendations based on the findings.

Justify

With ‘justify’ question words, you need to explain the basis of your argument by presenting the evidence that informed your outlook. In such answers, you need to present your evidence in a convincing way, demonstrating good reasons for adopting your position. Also, you may want to consider arguments that are contrary to your position before stating a conclusion to your arguments. This will help present a balanced argument and demonstrate wide knowledge of the literature. Here, a critical approach becomes crucial. You need to explain why other possible arguments are unsatisfactory as well as why your own particular argument is preferable.