12 Powerful Wordsby Larry Bell

Twelve Powerful Words That Increase Test Scores

Trace

(Outline, list the steps)

Analyze

(examine, break apart, study the pieces)

(conclude, make a good guess, read between the lines)

Infer

Evaluate

(judge, in your own words)

Formulate

(put together, create)

Describe

(depict, tell about, tell all about)

Support (reinforce, give me the facts, back up with details)

Explain (state, inform, tell how, put it in your own words)

Summarize

(restate, sum it up, give me the short version)

Compare

(alike, all the ways they are similar)

Contrast

(differences, all the ways the are not the same)

Predict (anticipate, make a guess, what will happen next?)

To play with online flashcards of the12 powerful words, go to:

http://www.proprofs.com/flashcards/cards.php?title=12-Powerful-Words-1

Flashcards of the 12 powerful words in English and Spanish, go to:

http://www.flashcardmachine.com/larry-bells-12powerfulwords.html

Online quiz over the 12 powerful words, go to:

http://www.waynecountyschools.org/14982072514725760/lib/14982072514725760/12_Powerful_Words.htm

Word Short Student Friendly Phrases

1.  Trace   Follow, track outline, list in steps

2.  Analyze   Think through, break apart, break into pieces

3.  Infer   Figure out, read between the lines, predict, what are they trying to say

4.  Evaluate   Judge, value of, meaning, examine, solve, test for the truth of, tell one good and one bad

5.  Formulate   Come up with, make a plan, develop, make, create

6.  Describe   Tell about, show me, list details

7.  Support   Provide reasons, tell reasons, give examples, back it up

8.  Explain   Tell all about, tell what and why, tell how, teach to someone else

9.  Summarize   Tell main parts, bottom line, main ideas

10. Compare   List sames, all the ways they are alike

11. Contrast   List differences, all the ways they are different

12. Predict   Educated guess, tell what could or may happen, look into the future

Now, you try:

Use the 12 powerful words to give test taking advice:EX: Formulate a plan to go to bed early enough every night for 2 weeks before the testing days.EX: Analyze your study strategies and decide which strategies are the best for you.EX: Trace the daily routine of a student who has good study skills and is successful at school.