High School Science TEKS Verbs

activate: to make something work or function; to cause it to perform; to turn on

or set into motion

apply: to put to use especially for some practical purpose; to have relevance or
a valid connection

analyze: to examine by identifying and separating into essential parts or

components to determine their function, interactions and importance to
the whole; to study, explore, evaluate

ask: to question

assess: to determine the rate or amount of; to determine the importance, size,
or value of

calculate: to determine by mathematical process; to design or adapt for a purpose;

to judge to be true or probable

categorize: to put in a category; classify

classify: to arrange or group according to a system or a method based on

common properties or attributes; organize, group, arrange

characterize: to describe the character or quality of

collect: to bring together; gather

communicate: to make known; to impart information is some way; to talk, write,

draw, express in some way

compare: usually to examine two or more objects or substances to note their

similarities, to identify likenesses; can also mean to identify differences

conduct: to bring by or as if by leading; to lead by a position of command

connect: to associate one thing with another; to show how one thing is
associated with another; to put together

contrast: to examine two or more objects or substance to note their differences;

to identify how they are not alike

construct: to build, devise, invent, order or arrange, to put together parts in their
proper order or place

critique: a careful and thorough examination to pass judgment on; review

define: to determine or identify the qualities or meaning of

demonstrate: to describe, explain or show by actions or example in order to prove or
validate; to show

describe: to use words to tell in detail what something is like in order to identify
it; explain or illustrate in detail

design: to create, plan, fashion, construct, or execute according to plan; to

conceive and plan out in the mind

determine: to decide or conclude after reasoning, based on observations and

evidence; decide or find out

develop: to set forth or make clear by degrees or in detail; to make visible or

manifest; to work out possibilities

differentiate: to separate by a distinct difference; to be able to tell the difference; to

set apart or single out or tell apart

discuss: to investigate by reasoning or argument; to present in detail for

examination or consideration

distinguish: to set apart or classify by a distinct difference; to isolate by some

distinct characteristic; to tell apart; to decide; to recognize

document: proof, evidence; to provide with factual or substantial support for

statements made or hypothesis proposed

draw: to accurately depict or describe in detail; to represent with words

evaluate: to calculate; to rate: to examine and judge carefully to determine the

value; to assess

examine: to inspect and study carefully

explain: to make clear; to make known in detail

explore: to look into closely; to examine carefully; to investigate

express: directly, firmly, and explicitly stated

follow: to go, proceed, or come after; to be or act in accordance with

formulate: to put or express in a clear, definite statement; to make; to create

generate: to bring to existence; to originate by a vital, chemical, or physical

process; to be the cause of; to define or originate

give: to impart or communicate; to provide or present

identify: to recognize or establish as being a particular person or thing

illustrate: to show or demonstrate in order to make clear by examples or analogies

implement: to put into practical use; to apply

infer: to make or draw inferences; to conclude or determine by perceived

facts or circumstances; to suppose or assume

interpret: to provide the meaning of

investigate: to inquire and examine with care and accuracy; examine; explore

learn: to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction,

or experience

make: to produce; to bring about; to judge or interpret; to create

manipulate: to treat or operate with by hands or mechanical means; to manage or

utilize skillfully

measure: the determine quantity by comparing to a standard; to determine how

much

model: a drawing, a plan or a miniature representation of something; to imitate

observe: to pay close attention; to notice with care; to watch, study or examine

obtain: to gain or attain usually by planned action or effort

organize: to arrange in some coherent form or desired pattern; to put in order

perform: to do; to accomplish; to carry out

plan: a method of action or a procedure expressed or described in words or

drawings; to set up; to prepare in advance

predict: to tell or declare in advance based on special knowledge; to forecast; to

guess

quantify: to determine, express, or measure the quantity of

recognize: to identify as something previously seen or known; to identify from

knowledge

record: to write down for the purpose of preserving evidence

relate: to tell or describe in detail

represent: to act the part of; to stand in place of; to serve as a sign or symbol of
research: studious inquiry or examination; the collecting of information about a
particular subject

review: to look back on; to view or see again

select: to pick and choose

summarize: to state or present briefly; to express important details in a concise form

test: to examine by trial; to check or assess

understand: to know the meaning of; to comprehend; to learn; to be informed of; to

hear

use: to put into service for some purpose; to apply

verify: to examine and research to prove to be true and correct; to prove

write: to form on a surface with an instrument