There are 3 types of terms your instructor uses that can act as clues to what is expected. These help you figure out how you should approach an assignment.
Understanding the meaning of words, especially Task Words, helps you to know exactly what is being asked of you and is a major step toward figuring out how you will treat your topic. Task words direct you and tell you how to go about answering a research question.
Make sure you understand the meaning of key words in an essay question, especially Task words. As Task words are verbs that direct you and tell you how to go about answering a question, understanding the meaning helps you to know exactly what you have to do.
Content words tell you what the topic area(s) of your assignment are and take you halfway towards narrowing down your material and selecting your answer. Content words help you to focus your research and reading on the correct area.
Limiting words make a broad topic workable. They focus the topic area further by indicating aspects you should narrowly concentrate on.
If you're not sure about any aspect of the question, ask your tutor/ lecturer for clarification. Never start any assignment until you know and understand exactly what you are being asked to do.
Adapted from: "Answering the Assignment" by The Learning Centre, The University of New South Wales.