California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) English Practice Exam

What does it mean to "Identify"?

1. To define the characteristics of something

2. To indicate what a thing is, when, and where it occurs

3. To provide a detailed analysis of a concept

4. To summarize the main points of a discussion

The correct answer is: To indicate what a thing is, when, and where it occurs

To "identify" something typically involves specifying what it is, including relevant details such as its name, characteristics, and context such as when and where it can be found. This aligns directly with the notion of pinpointing an item or concept in a clear, unambiguous manner. Effective identification requires a recognition that goes beyond just knowing the characteristics; it also incorporates situational context which is essential to fully grasping what is being identified. Consider the context of providing merely characteristics, which would be a narrower approach. While defining the properties of something can inform one's understanding, it doesn't encompass the holistic view that identification requires – namely, relating those traits to the circumstances surrounding the item or idea. Furthermore, while providing a detailed analysis may yield deeper insights into a concept, it goes beyond the scope of identification, as analysis often requires critical thinking and evaluation, rather than straightforward recognition. Summarizing main points also involves distillation and reduction of content, which may omit essential contextual information necessary for complete identification. Thus, the most fitting definition of "identify" encompasses the broader understanding of specifying what something is, including when and where it exists, making the indicated choice the most accurate.