Glossary
Effortlessly navigate the QCAA Ancient History Glossary to find and understand key terms and concepts
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A
ATAR
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
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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
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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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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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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; examine or consider something in order to explain and interpret it, for the purpose of finding meaning or relationships and identifying patterns, similarities and differences
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Ancient
Defined in this syllabus as the period from the earliest human communities until the end of the Middle Ages, using the characteristics of a society/civilisation to define it as ancient or modern rather than when it existed e.g. the Mayans, the Aztecs and Ancient Japan; "there is of course no simple answer: nor should there be, for historians are primarily people who seek more than one interpretation ... [W]hat is common ... is a recognition that at some stage or during some process, the ... world was transformed into a clearly different set of societies which we call modern" (Cowie, 1979, page 1)
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Ancient sources
Any written or non-written materials created that can be used to investigate the past; ancient sources include written materials such as extracts from historical narratives, literary works, biographies, letters; archaeological materials, such as photographs of archaeological sites, human remains, inscriptions (epigraphic sources), coins (numismatic sources), tombs, buildings, reliefs and artwork, statues, weapons, tools and artefacts; and maps or diagrams; these sources are analysed by the historian to answer questions about the past; sources created between AD 650–1500 may also be important to the study of some ancient societies
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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;
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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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Archaeology
The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of physical remains
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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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Artefact
Object made by a human, typically of cultural, social and historical importance
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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' achievements
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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 'syllabus objectives', 'unit objectives')
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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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Audience
An individual or group of people for whom a source was intended
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Authentication
Process of verifying the origins of an artefact or object and establishing it as genuine
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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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B
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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Case studies
Inquiry-based investigations into key features, issues, individuals, groups, events or concepts in history; they are oriented towards the problems and issues of investigating the past; case studies are intended to provide students with opportunities to: study the various ways in which historians perceive, investigate, record and construct the past, the types of questions they ask, the explanations they give and the issues they raise and understand, question, analyse and interpret sources
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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, separate
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Cause and effect
Used by historians to identify chains of events and developments over time, short term and long term; "cause" refers to the range of reasons for a historical event or development and "effect" to the range of subsequent outcomes or results
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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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Chronology
Sequences events and provides students with a mental map of the past; students use this map to make links between events and understand and apply concepts such as continuity and change or cause and effect; chronology involves the use of historical terms to describe time, periodisation and dating systems
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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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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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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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Combination of information
The joining of features located within or across historical sources. These features may focus on, for example, ideas, evidence, continuity and change, cause and effect, significance, perspectives, contestability and interpretations
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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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Compare
Display recognition of similarities and differences and recognise 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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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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Concepts
Any general notion or idea that is used to develop an understanding of the past, such as historical concepts related to the process of historical inquiry (e.g. evidence, continuity and change, perspectives and significance) and more general concepts that are culturally, socially, politically or otherwise significant (e.g. democracy, autocracy, hegemony and civilisation)
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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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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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Contestability
Occurs when particular interpretations about the past are open to debate, for example, as a result of a lack of evidence or different perspectives
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Continuity and Change
Aspects of the past that remained the same over certain periods of time are referred to as continuities. Change is referred to as aspects of the past that have varied over time. Continuity and change are evident in any given period of time
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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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Controlled
Shows the exercise of restraint or direction over; held in check; restrained, managed or kept within certain bounds
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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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Corroboration
To strengthen and/or support an assertion with evidence from a variety of sources to make more certain
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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 skillful 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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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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D
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
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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
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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
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Devise
Think out; plan; contrive; invent
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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
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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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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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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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E
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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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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Empathy
An understanding of the past from the point of view of a particular individual or group, including an appreciation of the circumstances they faced, and the motivations, values and attitudes behind their actions
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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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Ethical Scholarship
Using a recognised system of referencing to acknowledge all the sources used in the production of a historical response, whether directly quoted or indirectly cited
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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
The information obtained from sources that is useful for a particular inquiry. Evidence can be used to help construct a historical narrative, support a hypothesis or prove or disprove a conclusion
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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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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
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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 o 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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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 materials; 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
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Extension subject
A two-unit subject (Units 3 and 4) for which a syllabus has been developed by QCAA, that is an extension of one or more General subject/s, studied concurrently with, or after completion of, Units 3 and 4 of that subject
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Extensive
Of great extent; wide; broad; far-reaching; comprehensive; lengthy; detailed; large in amount or scale
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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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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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Feasible
Capable of being achieved, accomplished or put into effect; reasonable enough to be believed or accepted; probable; likely
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Features of Evidence
Attributes of information obtained from sources that are useful for a particular historical inquiry. These attributes may relate to, for example: origin, motive, audience, perspective, context, explicit meanings and implicit meanings
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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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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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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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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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H
Historical Argument
Approach taken to prove a hypothesis regarding the past
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Historical Concepts
Concepts specifically associated with the process of historical inquiry, for example: evidence; continuity and change; cause and effect; significance; perspectives; empathy; and contestability
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Historical Consciousness
Individual and collective understandings about the past, cognitive and cultural factors which shape those understandings, as well as the relations of historical understanding to those of the present and the future (Centre for the Study of historical Consciousness (2003), Rusen 2006, Seixas 2006, Taylor & Young 2003, Taylor 2006, Courthoys 2011, Eliasson 2015)
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Historical Contexts
The background features pertaining to historical events and trends (e.g. cultural, religious, social, ideological, political and economic factors)
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Historical Inquiry
The process of developing knowledge and understanding by posing questions about the past, and applying skills associated with locating, analysing, evaluating and using sources as evidence to develop an informed explanation, argument or interpretation about the past
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Historical Knowledge
Understanding of concepts, terms, ideas, events, developments, people and places
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Historical Questions
Points of inquiry about the past that often reflect the use of historical concepts
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Historical Research
Information about the past that is located and documented. Historical research is often acquired through the application of historical inquiry (see historical inquiry)
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Historical Skills
Activities associated with the study of the past, including: chronology, terms and concepts; historical questions and research; analysis and the use of sources; perspectives and interpretations; and explanation and communication
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Historical Sources
Sources that relate to or focus on the study of the past. Historical sources are often categorised into primary and secondary sources (see primary and secondary sources)
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Historical Thinking
Process by which historical concepts and historical skills are applied to an investigation of the past
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Historiography
The study of how history is constructed; it involves the critical analysis and evaluation of the usefulness and reliability of evidence, as well as the way history has been written in the past (usefulness may include relevance, authenticity and/or accuracy depending on the source and the context in which it is used)
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Hypothesis
In History, the hypothesis is the answer posed to a question (e.g. the answer to a key inquiry question or unseen question)
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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
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
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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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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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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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Inappropriate
Not suitable or proper in the circumstances
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Including
When preceding a list, refers to the aspects, elements or contexts that must be covered when teaching topics in the units; additional aspects, elements or contexts may be used at the teacher's discretion
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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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Independent
Thinking or acting for oneself, not influenced by others
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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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Innovative
New and original; introducing new ideas; original and creative in thinking
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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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Integral
Necessary for the completeness of the whole; essential or fundamental
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Intended
Designed; meant; done on purpose; intentional
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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 contribute towards a student
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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
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Interpret
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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Interpretations
Explanations of the past, for example about a specific person, event or development; there may be more than one interpretation of a particular aspect of the past because historians may have used different sources, asked different questions and held different points of view about the topic; the discipline of history acknowledges that there is often more than one view of what has happened in the past
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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 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
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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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Issues
Matters proceeding from any cause, effect, outcome and/or consequence
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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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K
Key inquiry question
The main question driving a historical investigation
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L
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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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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M
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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Manipulate
Adapt or change to suit one's purpose
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Medieval
The period of history from the end of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century to the Renaissance and Reformation period of Europe in the sixteenth century
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Mental procedures
A domain of knowledge in Marzano's taxonomy, and acted upon by the cognitive, metacognitive and self-systems; sometimes referred to as 'procedural knowledge'; 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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Methodical
Performed, disposed or acting in a systematic way; orderly; characterised by method or order; performed or carried out systematically
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Minimal
Least possible; small, the least amount; negligible
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Modern sources
Any written or non-written materials created after the end of the late Middle Ages (around 1500 CE) that can be used to investigate the ancient past; these sources are often accounts about the past, which use or refer to ancient sources and present a particular interpretation; modern sources include: written materials such as extracts from historical narratives, literary works, biographies, historiographical texts; reconstructions; documentaries; maps; diagrams; and websites
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Modify
Change the form or qualities of; make partial or minor changes to something
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Motive
The reasons why someone or something created a source (e.g. to support a perspective; to provide additional information on a matter of interest; to entertain; to celebrate; and to challenge or disrupt a commonly shared point of view)
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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 both modes contribute significantly
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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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Non-Historical Argument
An approach taken to prove a hypothesis that is not focused on the past and/or the disciplinary expectations associated with the study of history
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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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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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Optimal
Best, most favourable, under a particular set of circumstances
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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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Origin
Where a source came from and who created it
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Outstanding
Exceptionally good; clearly noticeable; prominent; conspicuous; striking
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P
Partial
Not total or general; existing only in part; attempted, but incomplete
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Particular
Distinguished or different from others or from the ordinary; noteworthy
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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; involves student application of identified skills when responding to a task that involves solving 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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Perspectives
Points of view of people, groups or institutions; the position from which they see and understand events going on around them. People in the past may have had different points of view about a particular event, depending on, for example, their age, gender, social position and their beliefs and values. Historians also have perspectives and this can influence their interpretation of the past e.g. whether a source reflects a dominant perspective as opposed to a minor or marginalised perspective/s on an issue or period of time
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Persuasive
Capable of changing someone
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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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Planning Time
Time allocated in an assessment to planning on 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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Plausible
Having an appearance of truth or reason; seemingly worthy of approval or acceptance; seeming reasonable or probable (of an argument or statement); credible and possible
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Polished
Flawless or excellent; performed with skilful ease
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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
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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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Primary and Secondary Sources
Primary sources are objects and documents created or written during the time being investigated, for example during an event or very soon after; examples of primary sources include official documents, such as laws and treaties; personal documents, such as diaries and letters; photographs; films and documentaries; these original, firsthand accounts are analysed by the historian to answer questions about the past; secondary sources are accounts about the past that were created after the time being investigated and which often use or refer to primary sources and present a particular interpretation; examples of secondary sources include writings of historians, encyclopaedia, documentaries, history textbooks, and websites
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Process Writing
As opposed to examination or controlled conditions, process writing is the series of overlapping steps that writers follow in composing texts and the text is written over a longer period of time, with opportunities for drafting and revision
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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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Project
An assessment technique that focuses on a problem-solving process requiring the application of a range of cognitive, technical and creative skills and theoretical understandings; the response is a coherent work that documents 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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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 the 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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R
Range of Sources
A number of sources that may or may not be different types and/or different authors/corporate authors; quantity of sources that may be distinct in character, quality or information
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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 or 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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Recognised referencing system
A style of referencing in common use (e.g. American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style; Chicago Manual of Style; Harvard referencing style; and Modern Language Association of America (MLA) referencing style)
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Reconstruction
Process of piecing together evidence from sources to develop an understanding or explanation of the past
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Reference list
A list of the works cited in the final product presented for assessment, using a recognised system of referencing
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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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Rehearsed
Practised; previously experienced; practised extensively
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Related
Associated with or linked to
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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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Relevant sources
The extent to which sources have bearing on or are connected to an investigation
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Reliability
The quality of being trustworthy; in history, reliability is considered in terms of degrees, rather than absolutes. It may be determined by asking, for example: Who produced the source? What did they produce? Why did they produce it? Where does it come from? How is it presented?
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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
A picture or image of the past that may be a portrayal within society (past or present) or that may be created by historians
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Resolve
Consolidate and communicate intent through a synthesis of ideas and application of media to express meaning
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Routine
Often encountered, previously experienced; commonplace; customary and regular; well-practised; 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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S
Safe
Secure; not risky
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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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Seen/Not Seen Sources
Seen sources are stimulus given to students one week before an essay in response to historical sources. Seen sources are not interrogated with teacher assistance during this one-week period. However, a scaffold may be supplied by the teacher to assist students to independently interrogate the seen sources. Seen sources may have been referred to in class by the teacher prior to this one-week period; and/or located by students of their own accord when, for example, conducting their own research. Sources not seen are stimulus students receive at the commencement of the essay in response to historical sources. Sources not seen must be excluded from teaching and learning experiences across the unit.
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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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Show
Provide the relevant reasoning to support a response
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Significance
The importance that is assigned to particular aspects of the past, for example events, developments, and historical sites. Significance includes an examination of the principles behind the selection of what should be investigated and remembered and involves consideration of questions such as: How did people in the past view the significance of an event? How important were the consequences of an event? What was the duration of the event? How relevant is it to the contemporary world?
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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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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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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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Sources
Any written or non-written materials that can be used to investigate the past, for example coins, letters, tombs, buildings
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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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Straightforward
Without difficulty; uncomplicated; direct; easy to do or understand
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Structure
Give a pattern, organisation or arrangement to; construct or arrange according to a plan
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Structured
Organised or arranged so as to produce a desired result
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Sub-questions
Questions aimed at supporting the development of an answer to a key inquiry question
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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 'course')
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Subject Matter
The subject-specific body of information, mental procedures and psychomotor procedures that are necessary for students' learning and engagement within that subject
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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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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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Supported
Corroborated; given greater credibility by providing evidence
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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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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
Terms
Words or phrases used to describe abstract aspects or features of the past (e.g. imperialism, democracy, republic) and more specific features (e.g. pyramid, gladiator, temple)
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Test
Take measures to check the quality, performance or reliability of something
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Think Historically
Thinking skills learnt by studying history. Views about these thinking skills vary, with differences often focused on, for example: how these thinking skills should be described; what
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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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Topic
A division of, or sub-section within a unit; all topics/sub-topics within a unit are interrelated
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U
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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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 "syllabus objectives", "assessment objectives")
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Unrelated
Having no relationship; unconnected
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Use
Operate or put into effect; apply knowledge or rules to put theory into practice
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Usefulness
The usefulness of a source depends on the question being asked of it; to assess the usefulness of a source, consider for example: how the source provides relevant information in answer to the question; how it provides insight into the question and how it may be used to corroborate or contradict other sources
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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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Variable
Apt or liable to vary or change; changeable; inconsistent; (readily) susceptible or capable of variation; fluctuating, uncertain
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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
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W
Wide
Of great range or scope; embracing a great number or variety of subjects, cases, etc.; of full extent
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With expression
(In words, art, music or movement) conveying or indicating feeling, spirit, character, etc.; a way of expressing or representing something; vivid, effective or persuasive communication
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