Glossary
Effortlessly navigate the QCAA Agricultural Science Glossary to find and understand key terms and concepts
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A
ATAR
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
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Abscisic Acid
Often referred to as an inhibitory hormone; it is involved in the closure of stomata, bud and seed dormancy
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Accomplished
Highly trained or skilled in a particular activity; perfected in knowledge or training; expert
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Accuracy
The condition or quality of being true, correct or exact; freedom from error or defect; precision or exactness; correctness; in science, the extent to which a measurement result represents the quantity it purports to measure; an accurate measurement result includes an estimate of the true value and an estimate of the uncertainty
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Accurate
Precise and exact; to the point; consistent with or exactly conforming to a truth, standard, rule, model, convention or known facts; free from error or defect; meticulous; correct in all details
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Acknowledgment
Recognition of the authority or validity of something
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Adept
Very/highly skilled or proficient at something; expert
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Adequate
Satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity equal to the requirement or occasion
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Agricultural Enterprise
Agronomic or husbandry management practices performed with financial decisions implemented in the pursuit of producing a plant or animal product
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Algebraic Representation
A set of symbols linked by mathematical operations; the set of symbols summarises relationships between variables (ACARA 2016c)
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Algorithm
An effective procedure for solving a particular mathematical problem in a finite number of steps
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Analyse
Dissect to ascertain and examine constituent parts and/or their relationships; break down or examine in order to identify the essential elements, features, components or structure; determine the logic and reasonableness of information;
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Analysis
Examination of evidence to identify the essential features, components, elements or structure; identification of patterns, similarities and differences
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Analytical Technique
A procedure or method for analysing data
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Animal Ethics
The study of human–non-human relations; includes animal rights, animal welfare and animal conservation (Brown, Hindmarsh & McGregor 2015)
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Animal Growth
The process of increasing in size and weight
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Animal Husbandry
Controlled cultivation, management, and production of domestic animals, including improvement of the qualities considered desirable by humans by means of breeding
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Animal Welfare
The physical and psychological wellbeing of animals (Brown, Hindmarsh & McGregor 2015)
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Anomaly
Something that deviates from what is standard, normal or expected (Taylor 1982)
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Application
The act of using knowledge and understanding in response to a given situation or circumstance; carrying out or using a procedure in a given or particular situation
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Applied Learning
The acquisition and application of knowledge, understanding and skills in real-world or lifelike contexts that may encompass workplace, industry and community situations; it emphasises learning through doing and includes both theory and the application of theory, connecting subject knowledge and understanding with the development of practical skills
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Applied Subject
A subject whose primary pathway is work and vocational education; it emphasises applied learning and community connections; a subject for which a syllabus has been developed by the QCAA with the following characteristics: results from courses developed from Applied syllabuses contribute to the QCE; results may contribute to ATAR calculations
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Apply
Use knowledge and understanding in response to a given situation or circumstance; carry out or use a procedure in a given or particular situation
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Appraise
Evaluate the worth, significance or status of something; judge or consider a text or piece of work
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Appreciate
Recognise or make a judgment about the value or worth of something; understand fully; grasp the full implications of
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Appropriate
Acceptable; suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, circumstance, context; etc.
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Apt
Suitable to the purpose or occasion; fitting, appropriate
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Area of Study
A division of, or a section within a unit
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Argue
Give reasons for or against something; challenge or debate an issue or idea; persuade, prove or try to prove by giving reasons
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Argument
Process of reasoning; series of reasons; a statement or fact tending to support a point
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Artificial Insemination
The process whereby semen is deposited in the female reproductive tract by a person using artificial insemination equipment
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Aspect
A particular part of a feature of something; a facet, phase or part of a whole
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Assess
Measure, determine, evaluate, estimate or make a judgment about the value, quality, outcomes, results, size, significance, nature or extent of something
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Assessment
Purposeful and systematic collection of information about students
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Assessment Instrument
A tool or device used to gather information about student achievement
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Assessment Objectives
Drawn from the unit objectives and contextualised for the requirements of the assessment instrument (see also
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Assessment Technique
The method used to gather evidence about student achievement (e.g. examination, project, investigation)
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Astute
Showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people; of keen discernment
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Authoritative
Able to be trusted as being accurate or true; reliable; commanding and self-confident; likely to be respected and obeyed
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Auxin
A plant hormone that causes the elongation of cells in shoots, secondary thickening of stems and roots, fruit development and apical dominance (Brown, Hindmarsh & McGregor 2015)
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B
Balanced
Keeping or showing a balance; not biased; fairly judged or presented; taking everything into account in a fair, well-judged way
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Basic
Fundamental
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Behaviour
In science, the action of any material; the action or activity of an individual
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Biological Control
Animal, pest and disease control methods that introduce a natural enemy or predator
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Biosecurity
Procedures or measures designed to protect Australia
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Biota
Biological organisms that are either natural or propagated, that can be used for human consumption
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Breed
A stock of animals or plants in a species having a distinctive appearance and typically developed by deliberate selection
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Breed Plan
A management tool used to improve the genetic merit of agricultural animals
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Broadacre
Land suitable for farms practising large-scale crop operations
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Budding
A way of propagating plants; a bud is taken from one plant and grown on another
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Budgets
An estimate of costs, revenues, and resources over a specified period, reflecting a reading of future financial conditions and goals
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C
Calculate
Determine or find (e.g. a number, answer) by using mathematical processes; obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working; ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information
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Carbon Sequestration
A natural or artificial process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and held in solid or liquid form (Brown, Hindmarsh & McGregor 2015)
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Cash Flow Statements
Report the sources and uses of cash by operating activities, investing activities, financing activities and certain supplemental information for the period specified in the heading of the statement
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Categorise
Place in or assign to a particular class or group; arrange or order by classes or categories; classify, sort out, sort, separate
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Cation Exchange Capacity
The number of exchangeable cations per dry weight that a soil is capable of holding, at a given pH value, and available for exchange with the soil water solution
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Cell Grazing
A system of rotational grazing designed to maximise feed utilisation
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Challenging
Difficult but interesting; testing one's abilities; demanding and thought-provoking; usually involving unfamiliar or less familiar elements
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Characteristic
A typical feature or quality
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Chemical Control
The use of chemicals (inorganic or organic) to kill pests or inhibit their development
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Claim
An assertion made without any accompanying evidence to support it
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Clarify
Make clear or intelligible; explain; make a statement or situation less confused and more comprehensible
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Clarity
Clearness of thought or expression; the quality of being coherent and intelligible; free from obscurity of sense; without ambiguity; explicit; easy to perceive, understand or interpret
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Classify
Arrange, distribute or order in classes or categories according to shared qualities or characteristics
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Clean And Green Image
Refers to production systems that inhabit non-polluting spaces and/or that use reduced or no chemical inputs
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Clear
Free from confusion, uncertainty, or doubt; easily seen, heard or understood
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Clearly
In a clear manner; plainly and openly, without ambiguity
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Climate
The average conditions of Earth's atmosphere based on records taken over at least thirty years
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Climate Change
A long-term change in Earth
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Coherent
Having a natural or due agreement of parts; connected; consistent; logical; orderly; well-structured and makes sense; rational, with parts that are harmonious; having an internally consistent relation of parts
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Cohesive
Characterised by being united, bound together or having integrated meaning; forming a united whole
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Collate
To put together; to compare
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Collection
In science, a systematic approach to gathering and measuring evidence from a variety of sources in order to evaluate outcomes and make predictions
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Comment
Express an opinion, observation or reaction in speech or writing; give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation
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Communicate
Convey knowledge and/or understandings to others; make known; transmit
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Compaction
The process by which the porosity of a given form of sediment is decreased as a result of its mineral grains being squeezed together by the weight of overlying sediment or by mechanical means
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Compare
Display recognition of similarities and differences and recognize the significance of these similarities and differences
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Competent
Having suitable or sufficient skills, knowledge, experience, etc. for some purpose; adequate but not exceptional; capable; suitable or sufficient for the purpose
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Competently
Having the necessary ability, knowledge or skill to do something successfully; efficient and capable (of a person); acceptable and satisfactory, though not outstanding
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Complete Budget
Sometimes known as total budgeting; refers to preparing a budget for the farm as a whole; complete budgeting considers all the crops, livestock, methods of production and aspects of marketing in consolidated form and estimates costs and returns for the farm as a whole
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Complex
Composed or consisting of many different and interconnected parts or factors; compound; composite; characterised by an involved combination of parts; complicated; intricate; a complex whole or system; a complicated assembly of particulars
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Comprehend
Understand the meaning or nature of; grasp mentally
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Comprehensive
Inclusive; of large content or scope; including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something; wide-ranging; detailed and thorough, including all that is relevant
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Concept
In science, an idea or model explaining some natural phenomenon; a theoretical construct; a thought, idea, or notion
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Concise
Expressing much in few words; giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief, comprehensive and to the point; succinct, clear, without repetition of information
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Concisely
In a way that is brief but comprehensive; expressing much in few words; clearly and succinctly
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Conclusion
A judgment based on evidence (ACARA 2015c)
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Conduct
Direct in action or course; manage; organise; carry out
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Consider
Think deliberately or carefully about something, typically before making a decision; take something into account when making a judgment; view attentively or scrutinise; reflect on
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Considerable
Fairly large or great; thought about deliberately and with a purpose
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Considered
Formed after careful and deliberate thought
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Consistent
Agreeing or accordant; compatible; not self-opposed or self-contradictory, constantly adhering to the same principles; acting in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate; unchanging in nature, standard, or effect over time; not containing any logical contradictions (of an argument); constant in achievement or effect over a period of time
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Construct
Create or put together (e.g. an argument) by arranging ideas or items; display information in a diagrammatic or logical form; make; build
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Contrast
Display recognition of differences by deliberate juxtaposition of contrary elements; show how things are different or opposite; give an account of the differences between two or more items or situations, referring to both or all of them throughout
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Control Measures
A range of agricultural activities (e.g. chemical, biological, physical) that can be used to control an unwanted pest or disease
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Controlled
Shows the exercise of restraint or direction over; held in check; restrained, managed or kept within certain bounds
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Controlled Traffic
A management tool used to reduce the damage to soils caused by heavy or repeated agricultural machinery passes on the land
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Convincing
Persuaded by argument or proof; leaving no margin of doubt; clear; capable of causing someone to believe that something is true or real; persuading or assuring by argument or evidence; appearing worthy of belief; credible or plausible
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Correct
Conforming to fact or truth; accurate
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Course
A defined amount of learning developed from a subject syllabus
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Create
Bring something into being or existence; produce or evolve from one
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Creative
Resulting from originality of thought or expression; relating to or involving the use of the imagination or original ideas to create something; having good imagination or original ideas
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Credible
Capable or worthy of being believed; believable; convincing
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Criterion
The property or characteristic by which something is judged or appraised
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Critical
Involving skilful judgment as to truth, merit, etc.; involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment; expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art; incorporating a detailed and scholarly analysis and commentary (of a text); rationally appraising for logical consistency and merit
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Critique
Review (e.g. a theory, practice, performance) in a detailed, analytical and critical way
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Crop Rotation
The process of growing different crops on the same land from one year to the next (Brown, Hindmarsh & McGregor 2015)
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Crossbreeding
The mating of unrelated plants or animals of different breeds or the crossing of unrelated plants (Brown, Hindmarsh & McGregor 2015)
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Crude Protein
The total protein content of a food source as determined by its nitrogen content
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Cultivar
A variety of a plant that has been developed under cultivation and does not occur naturally in the wild, but is a distinct subspecies (Stephens 1996)
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Cultural Practices
Agricultural practices that are used to enhance crop and livestock health and prevent weed, pest or disease problems without the use of chemical substances
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Cursory
Hasty, and therefore not thorough or detailed; performed with little attention to detail; going rapidly over something, without noticing details; hasty; superficial
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Cuttings
A piece of a plant that is used in horticulture for vegetative (asexual) propagation; a piece of the stem or root of the source plant is placed in a suitable medium, such as moist soil
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Cytokinins
Any of a class of plant hormones that promote cell division and growth and delay the senescence of leaves
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D
Data
In science, measurements of an attribute or attributes; data may be quantitative or qualitative and be from primary or secondary sources (ACARA 2015c)
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Dataset
Qualitative data and/or quantitative data (e.g., diagram, graph, image, map, photograph, table) derived from a practical, activity or case study
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Decide
Reach a resolution as a result of consideration; make a choice from a number of alternatives
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Deduce
Reach a conclusion that is necessarily true, provided a given set of assumptions is true; arrive at, reach or draw a logical conclusion from reasoning and the information given
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Defensible
Justifiable by argument; capable of being defended in argument
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Define
Give the meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity; state meaning and identify or describe qualities
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Demonstrate
Prove or make clear by argument, reasoning or evidence, illustrating with practical example; show by example; give a practical exhibition
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Derive
Arrive at by reasoning; manipulate a mathematical relationship to give a new equation or relationship; in mathematics, obtain the derivative of a function
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Describe
Give an account (written or spoken) of a situation, event, pattern or process, or of the characteristics or features of something
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Design
Produce a plan, simulation, model or similar; plan, form or conceive in the mind; In English, select, organise and use particular elements in the process of text construction for particular purposes; these elements may be linguistic (words), visual (images), audio (sounds), gestural (body language), spatial (arrangement on the page or screen) and multimodal (a combination of more than one)
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Detailed
Executed with great attention to the fine points; meticulous; including many of the parts or facts
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Determine
Establish, conclude or ascertain after consideration, observation, investigation or calculation; decide or come to a resolution
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Develop
Elaborate, expand or enlarge in detail; add detail and fullness to; cause to become more complex or intricate; in Agricultural Science, to produce an improved version of an existing technique or variety of plant or animal
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Development
In animals, changes in development of body tissues (fat, bone and muscle) and systems from the birth of an animal to the point where it reaches adult maturity; in plants, changes in development of tissues and systems from germination of a plant to the point where it reaches adult maturity; relating to budgets, a detailed statement outlining estimated costs to support the agricultural activity
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Development Budget
A detailed statement outlining estimated costs to support the agricultural activity.
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Devise
Think out; plan; contrive; invent
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Dicotyledon
A flowering plant with an embryo that bears two seed leaves, which are known as cotyledons
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Differentiate
Identify the difference/s in or between two or more things; distinguish, discriminate; recognise or ascertain what makes something distinct from similar things; in mathematics, obtain the derivative of a function
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Digestible Energy
The gross energy of a feed, minus the energy content of the faeces attributable to it
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Dihybrid Cross
A hybrid that is heterozygous for alleles of two different genes
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Discerning
Discriminating; showing intellectual perception; showing good judgment; making thoughtful and astute choices; selected for value or relevance
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Discriminate
Note, observe or recognise a difference; make or constitute a distinction in or between; differentiate; note or distinguish as different
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Discriminating
Differentiating; distinctive; perceiving differences or distinctions with nicety; possessing discrimination; perceptive and judicious; making judgments about quality; having or showing refined taste or good judgment
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Discuss
Examine by argument; sift the considerations for and against; debate; talk or write about a topic, including a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses; consider, taking into account different issues and ideas, points for and/or against, and supporting opinions or conclusions with evidence
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Disease
A disorder of structure or function in an animal or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury
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Disjointed
Disconnected; incoherent; lacking a coherent order/sequence or connection
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Distinguish
Recognise as distinct or different; note points of difference between; discriminate; discern; make clear a difference/s between two or more concepts or items
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Diverse
Of various kinds or forms; different from each other
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Diversification
The risk-avoidance practice of producing a variety of outputs (crops or animals), or both, on one farm, as distinguished from specialising in a single commodity
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Document
Support (e.g. an assertion, claim, statement) with evidence (e.g. decisive information, written references, citations)
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Draw Conclusions
Make a judgment based on reasoning and evidence
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Dry Matter
The material remaining after the removal of water
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Dryland Salinity
An increase in soil salt concentration in the environment, watercourse or soil in unirrigated landscapes, being in excess of normal soil salt concentrations in dryland regions
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E
Edible Biota
Organisms found naturally in a geographic region that can be used for human consumption
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Effective
Successful in producing the intended, desired or expected result; meeting the assigned purpose
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Efficient
Working in a well-organised and competent way; maximum productivity with minimal expenditure of effort; acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense or unnecessary effort
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El Niño
A change in the normal atmospheric pressure patterns that allows warmer waters from the Australia–Indonesia region to move towards South America, resulting in droughts in Australia–Indonesia and flooding in South America (Pohl 2003)
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Element
A component or constituent part of a complex whole; a fundamental, essential or irreducible part of a composite entity
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Elementary
Simple or uncompounded; relating to or dealing with elements, rudiments or first principles (of a subject); of the most basic kind; straightforward and uncomplicated
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Embryo Harvest
The process of collection of embryos from donor animals
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Erroneous
Based on or containing error; mistaken; incorrect
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Essential
Absolutely necessary; indispensable; of critical importance for achieving something
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Estimated Breeding Values
An animal's breeding value is its genetic merit, half of which will be passed on to its progeny; exact breeding values are never known but estimates are made based on performance traits
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Evaluate
Make an appraisal by weighing up or assessing strengths, implications and limitations; make judgments about ideas, works, solutions or methods in relation to selected criteria; examine and determine the merit, value or significance of something, based on criteria
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Evidence
In science, evidence is data that has been selected as it is considered reliable and valid and can be used to support a particular idea, conclusion or decision; evidence gives weight or value to data by considering its credibility, acceptance, bias, status, appropriateness and reasonableness (ACARA 2015c)
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Examination
A supervised test that assesses the application of a range of cognitions to one or more provided items such as questions, scenarios and/or problems; student responses are completed individually, under supervised conditions, and in a set timeframe
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Examine
Investigate, inspect or scrutinise; inquire or search into; consider or discuss an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the issue
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Exotic Disease
Infectious diseases that normally do not occur in the region
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Experiment
Try out or test new ideas or methods, especially in order to discover or prove something; undertake or perform a scientific procedure to test a hypothesis, make a discovery or demonstrate a known fact in science, an investigation that involves carrying out a practical activity
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Experimental
Relating to, derived from, or founded on experiment
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Explain
Make an idea or situation plain or clear by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts; give an account; provide additional information
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Explicit
Clearly and distinctly expressing all that is meant; unequivocal; clearly developed or formulated; leaving nothing merely implied or suggested
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Explore
Look into both closely and broadly; scrutinise; inquire into or discuss something in detail
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Express
Convey, show or communicate (e.g. a thought, opinion, feeling, emotion, idea or viewpoint); in words, art, music or movement, convey or suggest a representation of; depict
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Extend
In science, to extend an experiment is to modify the methodology to overcome limitations of the scope or applicability of the data
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Extended response
An open-ended assessment technique that focuses on the interpretation, analysis, examination and/or evaluation of ideas and information in response to a particular situation or stimulus; while students may undertake some research when writing the extended response, it is not the focus of this technique; an extended response occurs over an extended and defined period of time; an item on an examination may also require an extended response, either written or oral
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Extension subject
A two-unit subject for which a syllabus has been developed by QCAA; it is an extension of one or more general or alternative sequence subject/s; studied concurrently with the final two units of that subject/s or after completion of, the final two units of that subject/s
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Extensions
In science, modifications to the investigation that could be used to further examine the claim
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Extensive
Of great extent; wide; broad; far-reaching; comprehensive; lengthy; detailed; large in amount or scale
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Extensive industry
An agricultural production system that uses small inputs of labour, fertilisers and capital, relative to the land area being farmed; extensive agricultural properties are usually large in size
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External Examination
A supervised test, developed and marked by the QCAA, that assesses the application of a range of cognitions to multiple provided items such as questions, scenarios and/or problems; student responses are completed individually, under supervised conditions, and in a set timeframe
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External assessment
Summative assessment that occurs towards the end of a course of study and is common to all schools; developed and marked by the QCAA according to a commonly applied marking scheme
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Extrapolate
Infer or estimate by extending or projecting known information; conjecture; infer from what is known; extend the application of something (e.g. a method or conclusion) to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue or similar methods will be applicable
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Extrapolation
Extension of a conclusion to a new situation, with the assumption that existing trends will continue
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F
Factual
Relating to or based on facts; concerned with what is actually the case; actually occurring; having verified existence
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Familiar
Well-acquainted; thoroughly conversant with; well-known from long or close association; often encountered or experienced; common; (of materials, texts, skills or circumstances) having been the focus of learning experiences or previously encountered in prior learning activities
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Fast Fashion
Fashion styles made available to the general market in a very short space of time after the designer launches them, creating a more rapid turnover of fashion innovations than the traditional annual cycle of winter and summer
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Feasible
Capable of being achieved, accomplished or put into effect; reasonable enough to be believed or accepted; probable; likely
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Feature
Distinctive attribute, characteristic, property or quality of evidence
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Feed Conversion Ratio
A measure of an animal
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Fibre
A natural or synthetic filament that may be spun into yarn, such as cotton or nylon
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Field Capacity
The amount of water that remains in a soil profile, 24–48 hours after free drainage has occurred
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Fieldwork
Research carried out in the field (i.e. beyond the classroom) which includes data collection
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Findings
In science, the outcomes of research, investigation or experimentation, including facts or principles established in these ways
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Fluent
Spoken or written with ease; able to speak or write smoothly, easily or readily; articulate; eloquent; in artistic performance, characteristic of a highly developed and excellently controlled technique; flowing; polished; flowing smoothly, easily and effortlessly
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Fluently
In a graceful and seemingly effortless manner; in a way that progresses smoothly and readily
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Follicle-stimulating hormone
A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that promotes the formation of ova or sperm
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Food security
The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food
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Formative assessment
Assessment whose major purpose is to improve teaching and student achievement
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Fragmented
Disorganised; broken down; disjointed or isolated
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Free trade
International trade left to its natural course without tariffs, quotas or other restrictions
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Frequent
Happening or occurring often at short intervals; constant, habitual, or regular
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Fundamental
Forming a necessary base or core; of central importance; affecting or relating to the essential nature of something; part of a foundation or basis
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Fungicide
A chemical that destroys fungus
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G
General subject
A subject for which a syllabus has been developed by the QCAA with the following characteristics: results from courses developed from General syllabuses contribute to the QCE; General subjects have an external assessment component; results may contribute to ATAR calculations
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Generate
Produce; create; bring into existence
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Genetically modified organism
Organisms (i.e. plants, animals or microorganisms) in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination
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Genre conventions
Agreed and acceptable conditions; a style or category
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Geotropism
The growth of the parts of plants in response to the force of gravity (https://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/geotropism)
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Germination
The process by which a plant grows from a seed; the most common example of germination is the sprouting of a seedling from a seed of an angiosperm or gymnosperm
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Gibberellins
Any of a group of plant hormones that stimulate stem elongation, germination and flowering
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Global imaging
Provides satellite image data at different spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions for agriculture and crop assessment, crop health, change detection, environmental analysis, irrigated landscape mapping, yield determination and soils analysis
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Grafting
A horticultural technique whereby tissues of plants are joined so as to continue their growth together, the upper part of the combined plant is called the scion while the lower part is called the rootstock
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Graphical representations
In science, a visual representation of the relationship between quantities plotted with reference to a set of axes; also known as a graph (ACARA 2015c)
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Gross income
The amount of salary or wages paid to the individual by an employer, before any deductions are taken
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Gross margins
The difference between revenue and cost of goods sold
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Growth
The process of increasing in size
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H
Herbicide
A chemical substance that is toxic to plants, used to control or prevent unwanted vegetation (e.g. weeds)
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Heritability
A statistical estimate of how much phenotypic variation in a population is due to genetic variation amongst individuals within that population
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Hormones
Chemical substances produced by organisms that control and regulate the activity of targeted cells or tissues
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Horticulture
The branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of growing fruits, vegetables, nuts, ornamentals and turf
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Human resources
The personnel of a business or organisation, who represent a significant asset in terms of skills and abilities
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Humidity
A measurement of the amount of water vapour present in a body of air at a certain temperature
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Hydrotropism
The growth or turning of plant roots and rhizomes towards or away from moisture
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Hypothesis
In science, a tentative explanation for an observed phenomenon, expressed as a precise and unambiguous statement that can be supported or refuted by experiment (ACARA 2015c)
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Hypothesise
Formulate a supposition to account for known facts or observed occurrences; conjecture, theorise, speculate; especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
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I
IDM
Integrated disease management; the practice of using a range of measures to prevent and manage disease in crops
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IPM
Integrated pest management; an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests using a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties
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ISMG
Instrument-specific marking guide; a tool for marking that describes the characteristics evident in student responses and aligns with the identified objectives for the assessment (see 'assessment objectives')
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IWM
(Integrated weed management) the practice of using a range of measures to prevent and manage weeds in crops
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Identify
Distinguish; locate, recognise and name; establish or indicate who or what someone or something is; provide an answer from a number of possibilities; recognise and state a distinguishing factor or feature
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Illogical
Lacking sense or sound reasoning; contrary to or disregardful of the rules of logic; unreasonable
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Implement
Put something into effect, e.g. a plan or proposal
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Implication
A likely consequence of something; a conclusion that may be drawn though it is implied rather than explicit
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Implicit
Implied, rather than expressly stated; not plainly expressed; capable of being inferred from something else
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Improbable
Not probable; unlikely to be true or to happen; not easy to believe
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Improvements
In science, modifications to an investigation that mitigate the limitations of the evidence, method or design
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In-depth
Comprehensive and with thorough coverage; extensive or profound; well-balanced or fully developed
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Inaccurate
Not accurate
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Inadequate
Not satisfactory or acceptable in quality and/or quantity to the requirements of the situation
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Inappropriate
Not suitable or proper in the circumstances
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Inconsistent
Lacking agreement, as one thing with another, or two or more things in relation to each other; at variance; not consistent; not in keeping; not in accordance; incompatible, incongruous
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Incorrect
Not conforming to fact or truth
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Independent
Thinking or acting for oneself, not influenced by others
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Indian Ocean Dipole
IOD; an irregular oscillation of sea-surface temperatures in which the western Indian Ocean becomes alternately warmer and then cooler than the eastern part of the ocean
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Ineffective
Not producing a result, or not producing any significant result; not producing the intended, desired or expected result
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Infer
Derive or conclude something from evidence and reasoning, rather than from explicit statements; listen or read beyond what has been literally expressed; imply or hint at
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Informed
Knowledgeable; learned; having relevant knowledge; being conversant with the topic; based on an understanding of the facts of the situation (of a decision or judgment)
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Infrastructure
The basic physical and organisational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of an enterprise
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Inheritance
The transmission of genetic information from parent to offspring
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Innovative
New and original; introducing new ideas; original and creative in thinking
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Insecticide
A chemical substance that is toxic to insects, used to control or prevent pest insects
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Insightful
Showing understanding of a situation or process; understanding relationships in complex situations; informed by observation and deduction
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Instrument-specific marking guide
ISMG; a tool for marking that describes the characteristics evident in student responses and aligns with the identified objectives for the assessment (see 'assessment objectives')
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Insufficient
Not enough; inadequate for the purpose
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Integral
Adjective: necessary for the completeness of the whole; essential or fundamental; Noun: in mathematics, the result of integration; an expression from which a given function, equation, or system of equations is derived by differentiation
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Integrated disease management
IDM; the practice of using a range of measures to prevent and manage diseases in crops
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Integrated pest management
IPM; an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests using a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties
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Integrated weed management
IWM; the practice of using a range of measures to prevent and manage weeds in crops
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Intended
Designed; meant; done on purpose; intentional
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Intensive industry
In relation to industry; any industry that involves a comparatively higher level of inputs especially capital, labour and fertiliser per unit of land; characterised by low fallow ratios and higher yields
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Internal assessment
Assessments that are developed by schools; summative internal assessments are endorsed by the QCAA before use in schools and results externally confirmed; contributes towards a student's final result
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Interpret
Use knowledge and understanding to recognise trends and draw conclusions from given information; make clear or explicit; elucidate or understand in a particular way; bring out the meaning of, e.g. a dramatic or musical work, by performance or execution; bring out the meaning of an artwork by artistic representation or performance; give one's own interpretation of; identify or draw meaning from, or give meaning to, information presented in various forms, such as words, symbols, pictures or graphs
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Invalid
Not sound, just or well-founded; not having a sound basis in logic or fact (or an argument or point); not reasonable or cogent; not able to be supported; not legitimate or defensible; not applicable
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Investigate
Carry out an examination or formal inquiry in order to establish or obtain facts and reach new conclusions; search, inquire into, interpret and draw conclusions about data and information
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Investigation
An assessment technique that requires students to research a specific problem, question, issue, design challenge or hypothesis through the collection, analysis and synthesis of primary and/or secondary data; it uses research or investigative practices to assess a range of cognitions in a particular context; an investigation occurs over an extended and defined period of time in science, a scientific process of answering a question, exploring an idea or solving a problem that requires activities such as planning a course of action, collecting data, interpreting data, reaching a conclusion and communicating the activities (ACARA 2015c)
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Irrelevant
Not relevant; not applicable or pertinent; not connected with or relevant to something
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Isolated
Detached, separate, or unconnected with other things; one-off, something set apart or characterised as different in some way
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J
Judge
Form an opinion or conclusion about; apply both procedural and deliberative operations to make a determination
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Justified
Sound reasons or evidence are provided to support an argument, statement or conclusion
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Justify
Give reasons or evidence to support an answer, response or conclusion; show or prove how an argument, statement or conclusion is right or reasonable
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L
La Niña
The reverse of an extreme of the Southern Oscillation that causes extreme rainfall in parts of Australia
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Land use classification system
Used to classify and assess land characteristics and quality; provides information on land cover and the types of human activity involved in land use; it may also facilitate the assessment of environmental impacts on land, potential or alternative uses of land, and the suitability of land uses
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Law of Diminishing Returns
If successive units of inputs are added to a given production system, a point is reached when a maximum production occurs and then declines; a tipping point exists where the cost of adding additional units of inputs is more that the benefits gained by the increase in outputs
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Law of Supply and Demand
The law of supply states that the quantity of a good or service supplied (i.e. the amount producers offer for sale) rises as the market price rises, and falls as the price falls; conversely, the law of demand says that the quantity of a good or service demanded falls as the price rises and rises as the price falls
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Learning Area
A grouping of subjects, with related characteristics, within a broad field of learning, e.g. the Arts, sciences, languages
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Legumes
Any plant of the family Leguminosae (including the Fabaceae), especially those used for feed, food or soil-improving crop, such as beans, peas, lentils, etc.
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Limitation
A weak point or disadvantage that makes evidence less effective
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Line Breeding
The selective breeding of animals for a desired feature by mating them within a closely related genetic line
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Link
Anything serving to connect one part or thing with another
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Live Weight Gain
A measure of the mass (expressed in grams or kilograms) gained by an animal over a period of time
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Logical
Rational and valid; internally consistent; reasonable; reasoning in accordance with the principles/rules of logic or formal argument; characterised by or capable of clear, sound reasoning; (of an action, decision, etc.) expected or sensible under the circumstances
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Logically
According to the rules of logic or formal argument; in a way that shows clear, sound reasoning; in a way that is expected or sensible
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Luteinising Hormone
A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates ovulation in females and the synthesis of testosterone in males
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M
MVP
Molecular value predictions; a measure of molecular breeding value for selected production traits expressed in units of the trait
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Maintenance Energy
The amount of energy needed to keep the animal alive and healthy, but does not allow for growth or production (Brown, Hindmarsh & McGregor 2015)
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Make Decisions
Select from available options; weigh up positives and negatives of each option and consider all the alternatives to arrive at a position
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Management
Handling, direction or control
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Management Practices
Application of management and economic principles that are used in the production, transformation and marketing of agricultural products
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Manipulate
Adapt or change to suit one's purpose
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Marcotting
An asexual or vegetative method of plant propagation that induces a shoot or branch to take root while it is still attached to the parent plant
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Market Specifications
The quality standards required by the buyers of a product
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Mental
A domain of knowledge in Marzano's taxonomy, and acted upon by the cognitive, metacognitive and self-systems; sometimes referred to as "procedural knowledge
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Mental Procedures
There are three distinct phases to the acquisition of mental procedures — the cognitive stage, the associative stage, and the autonomous stage; the two categories of mental procedures are skills (single rules, algorithms and tactics) and processes (macroprocedures)
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Metabolisable Energy
The energy available to the animal for use by the body
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Methodical
Performed, disposed or acting in a systematic way; orderly; characterised by method or order; performed or carried out systematically
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Methodology
A systematic, ordered approach to gathering data in a scientific experiment or investigation
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Microbial Protein
Protein source from dead rumen microbes, usually forming 70% to 100% of the ruminant's supply of protein
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Minimal
Least possible; small, the least amount; negligible
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Model
In science, a representation that describes, simplifies, clarifies or provides an explanation of the workings, structure or relationships within an object, system or idea (ACARA 2015C)
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Modifications
In science, changes to methodology to extend, refine or redirect the research focus
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Modify
Change the form or qualities of; make partial or minor changes to something
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Molecular Value Predictions
MVP; a measure of molecular breeding value for selected production traits expressed in units of the trait
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Monocotyledon
Flowering plant with an embryo that bears a single seed leaf also known as a cotyledon
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Monoculture
The cultivation of a single crop in a given area
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Monogastric
An organism with a single-chambered stomach
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Multimodal
Uses a combination of at least two modes (e.g. spoken, written), delivered at the same time, to communicate ideas and information to a live or virtual audience, for a particular purpose; the selected modes are integrated so that each mode contributes significantly to the response
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Musculoskeletal
The combination of the muscular and skeletal systems working together; includes the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments of the body
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N
Narrow
Limited in range or scope; lacking breadth of view; limited in amount; barely sufficient or adequate; restricted
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National Livestock Identification System
NLIS, Australia
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Nematicide
A substance used to kill nematodes (roundworms)
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Net Energy
The amount of feed energy actually available for animal maintenance, growth and production
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Notifiable Disease
Any disease that is required by law to be reported to government authorities
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Nuanced
Showing a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response, etc.; finely differentiated; characterised by subtle shades of meaning or expression; a subtle distinction, variation or quality; sensibility to, awareness of, or ability to express delicate shadings, as of meaning, feeling, or value
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Nutrition
The process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth
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O
Objectives
See "syllabus objectives", "unit objectives", "assessment objectives
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Obvious
Clearly perceptible or evident; easily seen, recognised or understood
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Oestrogen
A hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body
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Oestrous Synchronisation
Involves treating the females to be inseminated with hormones so they will all come into oestrus and ovulate at about the same time
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Oil Seeds
In agriculture, seeds that can be used for their oil content
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Optimal
Best, most favourable, under a particular set of circumstances
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Organic Content
Organic matter component of soil, consisting of plant and animal residues at various stages of decomposition
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Organise
Arrange, order; form as or into a whole consisting of interdependent or coordinated parts, especially for harmonious or united action
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Organised
Systematically ordered and arranged; having a formal organisational structure to arrange, coordinate and carry out activities
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Outcome
Result of something; a consequence
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Outlier
A value that "lies outside" (is much smaller or larger than) most of the other values in a set of data
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Outstanding
Exceptionally good; clearly noticeable; prominent; conspicuous; striking
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Oxytocin
A hormone released by the pituitary gland that causes increased contraction of the womb during labour and stimulates milk production
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P
Paddock Rotation
Rotating paddocks of similar size to allow for a rest period (Stephens 1996)
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Partial
Not total or general; existing only in part; attempted, but incomplete
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Partial Budget
Financial statement that compares the profitability of alternatives
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Particular
Distinguished or different from others or from the ordinary; noteworthy
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Patents
A government authority or licence conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using or selling an invention
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Pattern
A repeated occurrence or sequence (ACARA 2015c)
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Perceptive
Having or showing insight and the ability to perceive or understand; discerning (see also 'discriminating')
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Performance
An assessment technique that requires students to demonstrate a range of cognitive, technical, creative and/or expressive skills and to apply theoretical and conceptual understandings, through the psychomotor domain; it involves students applying identified skills when responding to a task that involves selection of a problem, providing a solution or conveying meaning or intent; a performance is developed over an extended and defined period of time
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Persuasive
Capable of changing someone's ideas, opinions or beliefs; appearing worthy of approval or acceptance; (of an argument or statement) communicating reasonably or credibly (see also 'convincing')
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Perusal Time
Time allocated in an assessment to reading items and tasks and associated assessment materials; no writing is allowed; students may not make notes and may not commence responding to the assessment in the response space/book
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Pest
Any organism that injures, irritates or damages livestock, livestock products or plant products, and can adversely affect production
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Pesticide
A substance used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants or animals; may be inorganic and organic
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Phenomena
Events that are not artificial and can be observed through the senses or can be scientifically described or explained
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Phenotype
The set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment
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Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesise nutrients from carbon dioxide and water
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Phototropism
The orientation of a plant or other organism in response to light, either towards the source of light (positive phototropism) or away from it (negative phototropism)
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Physical Control
Animal, pest and disease control methods where the pest is attacked and/or destroyed, e.g. cultivation and hand removal
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Planning Time
Time allocated in an assessment to planning how to respond to items and tasks and associated assessment materials; students may make notes but may not commence responding to the assessment in the response space/book; notes made during planning are not collected, nor are they graded or used as evidence of achievement
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Plant Propagation
The process of creating new plants from a variety of sources: seeds, cuttings, bulbs and other plant parts
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Polished
Flawless or excellent; performed with skilful ease
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Porosity
A measure of the space between soil particles
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Post-harvest
The process following crop harvest and preceding sale, including cooling, cleaning, sorting, packing and transport
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Practical
In science, an activity that produces primary data
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Precise
Definite or exact; definitely or strictly stated, defined or fixed; characterised by definite or exact expression or execution
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Precision
Accuracy; exactness; exact observance of forms in conduct or actions; in science, exactness; how close two or more measurements of the same object or phenomena are to each other
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Predict
Give an expected result of an upcoming action or event; suggest what may happen based on available information
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Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery (PPRR) Model
A comprehensive approach used in risk management
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Primary Data
Data collected directly by a person or group (ACARA 2015c)
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Process
In science, to collect and manipulate data to produce meaningful information; operate on a set of data to extract the required information in an appropriate form such as tables or graphs
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Product
An assessment technique that focuses on the output or result of a process requiring the application of a range of cognitive, physical, technical, creative and/or expressive skills, and theoretical and conceptual understandings; a product is developed over an extended and defined period of time
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Proficient
Well advanced or expert in any art, science or subject; competent, skilled or adept in doing or using something
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Profit-and-loss statements
A financial statement that summarises the revenues, costs and expenses incurred during a specific period of time, usually a financial quarter or year
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Progeny
A descendant or the descendants of an animal or plant; also known as offspring
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Progesterone
A hormone that prepares the uterus for a fertilised ovum and maintains pregnancy
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Project
An assessment technique that focuses on a problem-solving process requiring the application of a range of cognitive, technical and creative skills that documents understandings; the response is a coherent work that and theoretical the iterative process undertaken to develop a solution and includes written paragraphs and annotations, diagrams, sketches, drawings, photographs, video, spoken presentations, physical prototypes and/or models; a project is developed over an extended and defined period of time
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Propose
Put forward (e.g. a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration or action
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Prostaglandin
A hormone used to synchronise oestrus in agricultural animals
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Prove
Use a sequence of steps to obtain the required result in a formal way
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Psychomotor procedures
A domain of knowledge in Marzano's taxonomy, and acted upon by the cognitive, metacognitive and self-systems; these are physical procedures used to negotiate daily life and to engage in complex physical activities; the two categories of psychomotor procedures are skills (foundational procedures and simple combination procedures) and processes (complex combination procedures)
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Purposeful
Having an intended or desired result; having a useful purpose; determined; resolute; full of meaning; significant; intentional
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Q
QCE
Queensland Certificate of Education
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Qualitative data
Information that is not numerical in nature (ACARA 2015c)
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Quality of evidence
The standard of evidence, as measured against relevant criteria
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Quantitative data
Numerical information (Taylor 1982)
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Quantity
In science, having magnitude, size, extent, amount or the like
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R
Ration
A quantity of foodstuffs given to an animal within a given period of time
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Rationale
A set of reasons, or logical basis for a course of action or decision
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Raw data
Unprocessed and/or unanalysed data; data that has been collected without any additional processing (Taylor 1982)
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Realise
Create or make (e.g. a musical, artistic or dramatic work); actualise; make real or concrete; give reality or substance to
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Reasonable
Endowed with reason; having sound judgment; fair and sensible; based on good sense; average; appropriate, moderate
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Reasoned
Logical and sound; based on logic or good sense; logically thought out and presented with justification; guided by reason; well-grounded; considered
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Recall
Remember; present remembered ideas, facts or experiences; bring something back into thought, attention or into one's mind
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Recognise
Identify or recall particular features of information from knowledge; identify that an item, characteristic or quality exists; perceive as existing or true; be aware of or acknowledge
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Redirect
In science, to redirect an experiment is to modify the methodology to gain further insight into the phenomena observed in the original experiment
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Referencing Conventions
Agreed, consistent ways of referencing a source of information
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Refine
In science, to refine an experiment is to modify the methodology to obtain more accurate or precise data
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Refined
Developed or improved so as to be precise, exact or subtle
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Reflect On
Think about deeply and carefully
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Regulating Services
The benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes such as climate and natural hazard regulation, water and waste management and pollination and pest control
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Rehearsed
Practised; previously experienced; practised extensively
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Related
Associated with or linked to
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Relationship
Scientific relationships are a connection or association between ideas or between components of systems and structures (ACARA 2015c)
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Relevance
Being related to the matter at hand
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Relevant
Bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; to the purpose; applicable and pertinent; having a direct bearing on
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Reliability
In science, the likelihood that another experimenter will obtain the same results (or very similar results) if they perform exactly the same experiment under the same conditions (ACARA 2015c, Taylor 1982)
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Reliable
Constant and dependable or consistent and repeatable
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Remote Sensing
The scanning of the earth by satellite or high-flying aircraft in order to obtain information about it
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Renewable Resource
A resource that can be replaced naturally; examples are oxygen, fresh water, solar energy, timber and biomass and also include wool, paper and leather
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Repetitive
Containing or characterised by repetition, especially when unnecessary or tiresome
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Reporting
Providing information that succinctly describes student performance at different junctures throughout a course of study
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Representation
In science, verbal, physical or mathematical demonstration of understanding of a science concept or concepts; a concept can be represented in a range of ways and using multiple models (ACARA 2015c)
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Research
To locate, gather, record and analyse information in order to develop understanding (ACARA 2015c)
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Research Ethics
Norms of conduct that determine ethical research behaviour; research ethics are governed by principles such as honesty, objectivity, integrity, openness, and respect for intellectual property and include consideration of animal ethics (ACARA 2015c)
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Research Question
A question that directs the scientific inquiry activity; it focuses the research investigation or student experiment, informing the direction of the research, and guiding all stages of inquiry, analysis, interpretation and evaluation
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Resolve
In the Arts, consolidate and communicate intent through a synthesis of ideas and application of media to express meaning
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Respiration
A process in living organisms involving the production of energy, typically with the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide from the oxidation of complex organic substances
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Risk Assessment
Evaluations performed to identify, assess and control hazards in a systematic way that is consistent, relevant and applicable to all school activities; requirements for risk assessments related to particular activities will be determined by jurisdictions, schools or teachers as appropriate (ACARA 2015c)
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Risk-Avoidance Strategies
The elimination of hazards, activities and exposures that can negatively affect an organisation
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Routine
Often encountered, previously experienced; commonplace; customary and regular; well-practiced; performed as part of a regular procedure, rather than for a special reason
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Rudimentary
Relating to rudiments or first principles; elementary; undeveloped; involving or limited to basic principles; relating to an immature, undeveloped or basic form
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Rumiant
A cud-chewing animal with four stomachs, including a rumen (first stomach) that is inhabited by millions of microbes
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Runner
Also known as a stolon; is a horizontal stem that grows from the base of the plant; the tip of a stolon develops buds that grow into new plants; the lower portion of a stolon develops nodes, which typically form adventitious roots
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S
Safe
Secure; not risky
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Scientific Language
Terminology that has specific meaning in a scientific context
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Scrutinise
To examine closely or critically
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Seasonal Breeding
Animal species that successfully mate only during certain times of the year
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Secondary Data
Data collected by a person or group other than the person or group using the data (ACARA 2015c)
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Secure
Sure; certain; able to be counted on; self-confident; poised; dependable; confident; assured; not liable to fail
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Select
Choose in preference to another or others; pick out
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Sensitive
Capable of perceiving with a sense or senses; aware of the attitudes, feelings or circumstances of others; having acute mental or emotional sensibility; relating to or connected with the senses or sensation
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Sequence
Place in a continuous or connected series; arrange in a particular order
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Share Farming
Method of farming that involves the owner or tenant of agricultural land having a contract with another party where each party takes a share of the profits from the land
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Show
Provide the relevant reasoning to support a response
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Significant
Important; of consequence; expressing a meaning; indicative; includes all that is important; sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy; having a particular meaning; indicative of something
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Simple
Easy to understand, deal with and use; not complex or complicated; plain; not elaborate or artificial; may concern a single or basic aspect; involving few elements, components or steps
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Simplistic
Characterised by extreme simplification, especially if misleading; oversimplified
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Simulation
A representation of a process, event or system which imitates a real or idealised situation (ACARA 2015c)
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Sketch
Execute a drawing or painting in simple form, giving essential features but not necessarily with detail or accuracy; represent by means of a diagram or graph; the sketch should give a general idea of the required shape or relationship and should include features
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Skilled
Having or showing the knowledge, ability or training to perform a certain activity or task well; having skill; trained or experienced; showing, involving or requiring skill
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Skillful
Having technical facility or practical ability; possessing, showing, involving or requiring skill; expert, dexterous; demonstrating the knowledge, ability or training to perform a certain activity or task well; trained, practised or experienced
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Soil Additives
Products added to a soil to improve its physical and/or chemical properties
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Soil Structure
The arrangement of the solid parts of the soil and of the pore space located between them
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Soil Texture
Percentage of the sand, silt and clay particles in a soil
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Sole Trader
A person trading as the individual legally responsible for all aspects of the business
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Solve
Find an answer to, explanation for, or means of dealing with (e.g. a problem); work out the answer or solution to (e.g. a mathematical problem); obtain the answer/s using algebraic, numerical and/or graphical methods
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Sophisticated
Of intellectual complexity; reflecting a high degree of skill, intelligence, etc.; employing advanced or refined methods or concepts; highly developed or complicated
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Source
Any piece of scientific literature or text from which scientific evidence is drawn
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Southern Oscillation Index
SOI; a measure of changes in air pressure at sea level that describes the cyclic warming and cooling of the Eastern and Central Pacific Ocean (Hubble, Huxley & Imlay-Gillespie 2011)
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Species
Division of a genus, a group of living things that can interbreed
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Specific
Clearly defined or identified; precise and clear in making statements or issuing instructions; having a special application or reference; explicit, or definite; peculiar or proper to something, as qualities, characteristics, effects, etc.
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Sporadic
Happening now and again or at intervals; irregular or occasional; appearing in scattered or isolated instances
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Statement
A communication or declaration setting forth facts, particulars; an expression
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Straightforward
Without difficulty; uncomplicated; direct; easy to do or understand
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Structure
Verb: give a pattern, organisation or arrangement to; construct or arrange according to a plan; Noun: in languages, arrangement of words into larger units, e.g. phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and whole texts, in line with cultural, intercultural and textual conventions; in Agricultural Science, an arrangement or organisation of parts to form a cell, tissue, organ, system or living thing
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Structured
Organised or arranged so as to produce a desired result
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Subject
A branch or area of knowledge or learning defined by a syllabus; school subjects are usually based in a discipline or field of study (see also
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Subject Matter
The subject-specific body of information, mental procedures and psychomotor procedures that are necessary for students
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Substantial
Of ample or considerable amount, quantity, size, etc.; of real worth or value; firmly or solidly established; of real significance; reliable; important, worthwhile
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Substantiated
Established by proof or competent evidence
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Subtle
Fine or delicate in meaning or intent; making use of indirect methods; not straightforward or obvious
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Successful
Achieving or having achieved success; accomplishing a desired aim or result
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Succession Planning
Refers to the orderly transfer of management, responsibility, ownership and control, over time to other family members
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Succinct
Expressed in few words; concise; terse; characterised by conciseness or brevity; brief and clear
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Sufficient
Enough or adequate for the purpose
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Suitable
Appropriate; fitting; conforming or agreeing in nature, condition, or action
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Summarise
Give a brief statement of a general theme or major point/s; present ideas and information in fewer words and in sequence
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Summative Assessment
Assessment whose major purpose is to indicate student achievement; summative assessments contribute towards a student
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Superficial
Concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious; shallow; not profound, thorough, deep or complete; existing or occurring at or on the surface; cursory; lacking depth of character or understanding; apparent and sometimes trivial
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Supervolation
The induction of multiple ovulations in animals
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Supported
Corroborated; given greater credibility by providing evidence
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Sustainable Use
Of natural resources, the process to minimise the waste of inputs in a system which ensures that the system has the potential to continue without negative impacts on environmental, financial and social factors
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Sustained
Carried on continuously, without interruption, or without any diminishing of intensity or extent
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Syllabus
A document that prescribes the curriculum for a course of study
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Syllabus Objectives
Outline what the school is required to teach and what students have the opportunity to learn; described in terms of actions that operate on the subject matter; the overarching objectives for a course of study (see also
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Symbolise
Represent or identify by a symbol or symbols
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Synthesise
Combine different parts or elements (e.g. information, ideas, components) into a whole, in order to create new understanding
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System
A group of interacting objects, materials or processes that form an integrated whole; systems can be open or closed (ACARA 2015c); in agricultural science, an assemblage of components that are united by some form of interaction and interdependence and that operate within a prescribed boundary to achieve a specified agricultural objective on behalf of the beneficiaries of the system (McConnell & Dillon 1997)
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Systematic
Done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical; organised and logical; having, showing, or involving a system, method, or plan; characterised by system or method; methodical; arranged in, or comprising an ordered system
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T
Test
Take measures to check the quality, performance or reliability of something
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Testosterone
A steroid hormone that stimulates development of male secondary sexual characteristics, produced mainly in the testes, but also in the ovaries and adrenal cortex
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Theory
In science, a set of concepts, claims and/or laws that can be used to explain and predict a wide range of related observed or observable phenomena; theories are typically founded on clearly identified assumptions, are testable, produce reproducible results and have explanatory power (ACARA 2015c)
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Thigmotropism
The turning or bending of a plant or other organism in response to a touch stimulus
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Thorough
Carried out through, or applied to the whole of something; carried out completely and carefully; including all that is required; complete with attention to every detail; not superficial or partial; performed or written with care and completeness; taking pains to do something carefully and completely
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Thoughtful
Occupied with, or given to thought; contemplative; meditative; reflective; characterised by or manifesting thought
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Tillage
The mechanical modification of soil to undertake a change in the use of the soil
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Tissue Culture
A collection of techniques used to maintain or grow plant cells, tissues or organs under sterile conditions on a nutrient culture medium of known composition for the purposes of reproduction
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Topic
A division of, or sub-section within a unit; all topics/sub-topics within a unit are interrelated
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Trace Element
A nutrient needed in trace amounts; usually fewer than 1 to 10 parts per million (also can be referred to as micronutrient)
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Transpiration
The process where water in the soil is absorbed into the plant root, moves up the stem of the plant and is then released as water vapour through pores in the leaves
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Trend
General direction in which something is changing (ACARA 2015c)
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Tropism
The response of an organism by an external stimulus that causes the organism to respond in a particular manner
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U
Uncertainty
Range of values for a measurement result, taking account of the likely values that could be attributed to the measurement result given the measurement equipment, procedure and environment (ACARA 2015c); indicators of uncertainty may include percentage, and/or absolute measurement uncertainty, confidence intervals, inferential statistics, statistical measure of spread, e.g. range, standard deviation
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Unclear
Not clear or distinct; not easy to understand; obscure
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Understand
Perceive what is meant by something; grasp; be familiar with (e.g. an idea); construct meaning from messages, including oral, written and graphic communication
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Understanding
Perception of what is meant by something
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Uneven
Unequal; not properly corresponding or agreeing; irregular; varying; not uniform; not equally balanced
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Unfamiliar
Not previously encountered; situations or materials that have not been the focus of prior learning experiences or activities
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Unit
A defined amount of subject matter delivered in a specific context or with a particular focus; it includes unit objectives particular to the unit, subject matter and assessment direction
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Unit Objectives
Drawn from the syllabus objectives and contextualised for the subject matter and requirements of a particular unit; they are assessed at least once in the unit (see also
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Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
An aircraft piloted by remote control or on-board computers; can fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic automation systems; can be alternatively referred to as a remotely piloted aircraft
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Unrelated
Having no relationship; unconnected
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Urbanisation
The occurrence of an increasing proportion of people living in towns and cities; resulting from people moving from rural areas (countryside) to urban areas (towns and cities)
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Use
Operate or put into effect; apply knowledge or rules to put theory into practice
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V
Vague
Not definite in statement or meaning; not explicit or precise; not definitely fixed, determined or known; of uncertain, indefinite or unclear character or meaning; not clear in thought or understanding; couched in general or indefinite terms; not definitely or precisely expressed; deficient in details or particulars; thinking or communicating in an unfocused or imprecise way
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Valid
Sound, just or well-founded; authoritative; having a sound basis in logic or fact (of an argument or point); reasonable or cogent; able to be supported; legitimate and defensible; applicable
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Validity
In science, the extent to which tests measure what was intended; the extent to which data, inferences and actions produced from tests and other processes are accurate (ACARA 2015c)
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Variable
Adjective: Apt or liable to vary or change; changeable; inconsistent; (readily) susceptible or capable of variation; fluctuating, uncertain; Noun: In mathematics, a symbol, or the quantity it signifies, that may represent any one of a given set of number and other objects; in science, a factor that can be changed, kept the same or measured in an investigation, e.g., time, distance, light, temperature
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Variety
A number or range of things of different kinds, or the same general class, that are distinct in character or quality; (of sources) a number of different modes or references; in agriculture science, a type of organism, especially a cultivated plant
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Visual Representation
In science, an image that shows relationships within scientific evidence
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W
Water Harvesting
A form of water conservation where runoff is collected for production purposes
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Water Holding Capacity
The total amount of water a soil can hold at field capacity
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Water Quality
Refers to the chemical, physical, biological and radiological characteristics of water; a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and/or to any human need or purpose
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Weather
The daily conditions of the atmosphere in terms of temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind and moisture
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Wide
Of great range or scope; embracing a great number or variety of subjects, cases, etc.; of full extent
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