Using Bloom’s Taxonomy

Using higher order questioning to improve pupil

attainment

Knowledge

Comprehension/Understanding

Application

Analysis

Synthesis/Creating

Evaluation

arrange define

duplicate

label

list memorise name

recognise

state

repeat recall

reproduce

discussreview

select

identify

describe locatereview

reportclassify express indicateexplain

interpret illustrate

solve

choose

apply

schedulewrite

practiceemploy use dramatisesketch

demonstrate

interpretdifferentiate

experiment

appraise

analyse

contrast

compare

discriminatecalculate question categoriseexamine

criticise testdistinguish

formulatemanage

plan

compose

collect

propose

arrange

prepareconstruct assemble developset up

design createorganise

judge

predict

support

argue

assess estimate

appraise

ratechoose value compareselect

defend attachorganise evaluate

Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems

Potential Activities

telllist

describerelatelocatewritefind

statename

• What happened after...?• How many...?

• Who was it that...?• Can you name the...?

• Describe what happened...?

• Who spoke to...?• Can you tell why...?

• Find the meaning of...?• What is...?

• Which is true or false...?

• Make a list of the main events.

• Make a timeline of events.• Make a facts chart.

• Write a list of any pieces of information you can

remember. • List all the .... in the story.• Make a chart showing...

• Make an acrostic.• Recite a poem.

Knowledge

arrange

define

duplicate

label

list memorise

name

recognise

state

repeat recall

reproduce

Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems

Potential Activities

explaininterpretoutlinediscuss

distinguishpredictrestate

translatecomparedescribe

• Can you write in your own words...?

• Can you write a brief outline...?

• What do you think could of happened next...?

• Who do you think...?• What was the main

idea...? • What differences exist

between...?• Can you give an

example...?• Can you provide a

definition for...?

• Cut out or draw pictures to show a particular event.• Make a cartoon strip showing the sequence of

events.• Write and perform a play

based on the story.• Retell the story in your

words.• Paint a picture of an aspect

you like.• Write a summary of an

event.• Prepare a flow chart to illustrate the sequence of

events.

Comprehension/Understanding

discuss

review

select

identifydescribe locate

review

reportclassify express indicate

explain

Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems

Potential Activities

solveshowuse

illustrateconstructcompleteexamineclassify

• Do you know another instance where...? • Can you group by

characteristics such as...?• What factors would you

change if...?• Can you apply the method used to your

own...?• What would you ask of...?• Can you develop a set of

instructions about...?• Would this information be

useful if you had a...?

• Construct a model to demonstrate how it will work.• Make a scrapbook about the

areas of study.• Take a collection of

photographs to demonstrate a particular point.

• Make up a puzzle game using the ideas from the

study area.• Design a market strategy

for your product.• Paint a mural using the

same materials.• Write a textbook for others.

Application

interpretillustrate

solve

chooseapplyschedule

write

practiceemploy use dramatise

sketch

demonstrate

Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems

Potential Activities

analysedistinguishexaminecomparecontrast

investigatecategorise

identifyexplain

separateadvertise

• If... happened, what might the ending have

been?• How was this similar to...?• What was the underlying

theme of...?• What do you see as other

possible outcomes? • Can you compare your... with that presented in...?• Can you explain what

must have happened when...?

• What are the problems of...?

• What’s the problem with...?

• Design a questionnaire about...

• Write a commercial.• Conduct an investigation to

produce information to support ...

• Construct a graph to illustrate selected

information.• Make a family tree showing

relationships.• Write a biography.• Prepare a report.

• Review a work of art in terms of form, colour and

texture.

Analysis

interpret differentiate

experiment

appraiseanalyse

contrast

compare

discriminatecalculate question categorise

examinecriticise

test

distinguish

Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems

Potential Activities

createinvent

composepredict

planconstruct

designimagineproposedevise

formulate

• Can you design a ... to ...?• Can you find a solution

to...?• If you had access to all

resources how would you...?

• What would happen if...?• How many ways can

you...?• Can you create new and

unusual uses for...?• Can you write a new recipe for a tasty dish?• Can you develop a proposal which would...

• Create a new product, give it a name and plan a marketing campaign.

• Write about your feelings regarding...

• Write a TV show or song about..?

• Design a record, book, or magazine cover for...?

• Make up a new language code and write material using

it.• Sell an idea.

• Devise a way to...

Synthesis/Creating

formulate manageplan

composecollect

proposearrange

prepareconstruct assemble develop

set up

designcreateorganise

Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems

Potential Activities

judgeselectdecidejustifydebateverifyargue

recommendassessdiscuss

rateprioritise

determine

• Is there a better solution to...

• Judge the value of...• Why do you think ... is a

good or a bad thing?• How would you have

handled...?• What changes to ... would

you recommend?• Do you believe?

• Are you a ... person?• How would you feel if...?• How effective are...?• What do you think

about...?

• Prepare a list of criteria to judge...

• Conduct a debate about an issue of special interest.• Make a booklet about 5 rules you see as important.

Convince others.• Form a panel to discuss

views.• Write a letter to ... advising

on changes needed at...• Write a half yearly report.• Prepare a case to present

your view about...

Evaluation

judge

predict

support

argueassess estimate

appraise

ratechoose

value compare

select

defendattach

organise

evaluate

KnowledgeHow would you explain...?Can you recall...?

What is...?

How is...?

How would you describe...?

Who was...?

Can you list three...?

Which one...?

Why did...?

How did...?When did...? Where is...?

How would you show...?

Comprehension/UnderstandingHow would you classify...?Can you contrast...?

What is meant by...?

Which is the best answer...?

How would you compare...?

What facts or ideas show..?

Which statement supports...?

Summarise...

What can you say about...?

State in your own words...?

ApplicationHow would you use...?

How would you organise ‘x’ to

show...?

What would result if...?

What examples can you find to...?

What approach would you use to...?

What elements would you use to

change...?

How would you show understanding of...?

How would you use ‘x’ to prove the point...?

AnalysisWhat are the features of...?

How is ‘x’ related to...?

What is the relationship between...?

Why do you think...?

What evidence can you find...?

What conclusions can you draw...?

What ideas justify...?

What motive is there...?

Can you make a distinction between...?

Synthesis/CreatingWhat changes would you make to solve...?

Can you formulate a theory for...?

How would you improve...?

What could be done to minimise/maximise...?

How would you adapt ‘x’ to create a different...?

Can you think of an original way

to...?

Can you invent...?

How would you estimate a result

for...?

EvaluationDo you agree with actions of...?

How would you prove/disprove...?

What would you recommend in order to...?

Would it be better

if...?

How would you defend the actions of...?Can you prioritise...?

Why is it better that...?Can you assess the importance of...?

Why might your choice be different to that of...?