The key word describe is one of the main verbs used in HSC PDHPE questions and throughout the syllabus. The key word describe is quite a basic term and so can be used to ask questions for most content that uses a higher order key word such as evaluate, or analyse.

The BOSTES glossary of key words defines describe as:

Provide characteristics and features

The key word describe requires more than simply a list or an outline (sketch in general terms; indicate the main features of). For a describe question you should provide all the main points and provide as much content as is asked for or indicated in the marks allocated (you should provide 2-3 lines per mark).

When answering HSC PDHPE questions with the key word describe it is important to place each characteristic and feature in its own paragraph, with an introductory sentence, and expansion on the content and plenty of examples. If you use an introductory sentence or paragraph to your answer you should use terms such as: “includes”, “is made up of”, “…are” (e.g. the characteristics of the learner are…).

The key term describe is often connected with the common term how. Here you need to provide characteristics and features of the process or method. Such a description would include terms such as “by” (technology has improved performance by… or  being determined improves skill acquisition by…).

If you are struggling to answer describe questions please see the scaffold for describe.

The key term describe appears in the following location throughout the HSC PDHPE syllabus:

Health Priorities in Australia

Factors Affecting Performance

Improving Performance