Command Words: Understanding Regent Vocabulary
What does the command word “Identify” mean?
To name or state something directly.
What should students look for FIRST when reading a Regents CRQ?
The command word.
Is this a strong or weak response?
Workers wanted better conditions.
Weak — lacks evidence and explanation.
What is evidence in a Regents CRQ?
Proof or information from the text/document.
What does “Explain your evidence” mean?
Tell WHY the evidence matters.
What does the command word “Explain” require students to do?
Tell WHY or HOW something happened.
In the question below, what is the topic?
Explain one effect of industrialization on cities.
Industrialization on cities.
What is missing from this response?
Child labor was harmful because children worked long hours.
Explanation/evidence development.
Why should students use evidence in their answers?
Evidence supports and proves the response.
Finish this sentence: This is important because…
(Any logical explanation.)
What is the difference between “Describe” and “Analyze”?
Describe tells what something is like; analyze breaks apart the topic deeply and explains relationships or meaning.
Rewrite this question in simpler words: Based on the document, explain one reason workers protested.
Why did workers protest?
Why is this response strong?
Workers formed unions to improve working conditions. The document states workers faced dangerous environments and low pay. This caused workers to organize for fair treatment.
It includes a claim, evidence, and explanation.
Finish the sentence: According to the document…
(Any accurate evidence-based continuation.)
Why do many students lose points on CRQs?
Because they stop after giving evidence and do not explain
If a Regents question says “Compare,” what should students do?
Explain similarities between two things.
What is wrong with answering a question before breaking it down?
Students may misunderstand the question and lose points for answering incorrectly.
Which response would score higher on the Regents and why?
A: Factories were dangerous because workers were unsafe.
B:Factories were dangerous because workers faced unsafe machinery and poor working conditions, which caused injuries and protests.
B — because it explains the evidence fully.
Can students copy the entire document as evidence?
No — students should use relevant evidence and explain it in their own words.
Which sentence is the explanation?
A: Workers had long hours.
B: Long work hours caused workers to demand better treatment.
Answer: B.
Why is identifying the command word important before answering a CRQ?
Because the command word tells students exactly what type of response is required.
Name TWO strategies students should use before writing their response.
Circle command words
Underline key details
Rewrite the question
Annotate the text
Find evidence
What are the 3 parts of the C+E+E strategy?
Claim + Evidence + Explain.
What happens if a student gives a claim but no evidence?
The response becomes weak and may lose points.
Why does explanation make a Regents response stronger?
It shows deeper understanding and connects evidence to the question.