OnRamps U.S. History Command Terms Practice

​OnRamps U.S. History Command Terms Practice

By Noemi Bui

Open Ended

Practice command term: Argue - Challenge or debate an issue or idea.  Support or refute a statement; give the positive or negative features; express an informed opinion one way or the other; list the advantages for or against

Prompt: Argue for or against the belief that cooking at home is better than eating out.

Argue for or against the belief that cooking at home is better than eating out.

I argue that cooking at home is better than eating out because it allows people to control their health, save money, and build personal connections. At home, you can choose healthier ingredients and avoid excess oil, sugar, or salt, while many restaurant meals are high in calories and sodium. Cooking at home is also more affordable, since simple ingredients can make multiple meals. Finally, preparing and sharing meals with family creates opportunities for bonding that eating out often lacks. While it takes more time, cooking at home offers better health, savings, and stronger relationships.

Compare

• Definition: Focuses only on similarities between two (or more) things.

• Key Point: You are not expected to discuss differences.

• Tip: Always refer to both items side by side, not just list one then the other.

Example Question:
Compare the economies of the North and South before the U.S. Civil War.

Sample Answer (compare only similarities):

• Both the North and South had agricultural production that supported their populations.

• Both regions relied on trade to support their economies — the North through exports of manufactured goods, the South through cotton.

• Both depended on labor systems (factories in the North, plantations in the South) to produce goods

Open Ended

Practice command term: Compare - Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout

Prompt: Compare the experience of eating alone with the experience of eating in a group.

Compare the experience of eating alone with the experience of eating in a group.

Eating alone and eating in a group are similar in that both experiences allow a person to enjoy food and take a break from the day. In both situations, food provides comfort and energy, whether it’s a quick snack or a full meal. Both can also be moments of reflection—when eating alone, someone can think quietly, and when eating with others, people often share ideas and stories that help them reflect too. In either case, eating serves as a time to recharge and enjoy something that brings satisfaction.

Contrast

• Definition: Focuses only on the differences between two (or more) things.

• Key Point: You are not expected to discuss similarities.

• Tip: Clearly describe how one item is different from the other, referring to both throughout.

Example Question:
Contrast the economies of the North and South before the U.S. Civil War.

Sample Answer (contrast only differences):
The North had an industrial economy based on manufacturing and wage labor, while the South had an agricultural economy centered on plantations and enslaved labor.
Factories and urban centers were common in the North, but the South remained rural with large farms.
The North produced goods for domestic use and export, whereas the South focused on exporting raw materials like cotton.

Open Ended

Practice command term: Contrast - Give an account of the difference between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout

Prompt: Contrast a meal you eat quickly with a meal you take time to enjoy.

Contrast a meal you eat quickly with a meal you take time to enjoy.

A meal I eat quickly, like my weekday breakfast, is completely different from a meal I take time to enjoy, such as weekend dinner with my family. On school mornings, I usually grab something fast like a granola bar or toast while rushing to get ready. I’m focused on getting out the door, so I hardly taste what I’m eating. In contrast, weekend dinners are slow and relaxed. My family cooks together, sets the table, and we sit down without distractions. Unlike my rushed breakfast, these dinners allow me to savor each bite and enjoy conversations with my family. While my quick breakfasts are about convenience and energy, my slower dinners are about connection and appreciation. The difference between them shows how time and attention can completely change the meaning of a meal.

Compare and Contrast

• Definition: Requires both similarities and differences between two (or more) things.

• Key Point: The response must balance similarities and differences throughout.

• Tip: Don’t separate them completely (all similarities first, then all differences). Mix them where possible to show direct relationships.

Example Question:
Compare and contrast the economies of the North and South before the U.S. Civil War.

Sample Answer (similarities + differences):

• Both regions relied on agriculture, but the South was heavily dependent on plantation crops like cotton, while the North had a more diverse agricultural base with smaller farms.

• Both relied on labor systems, yet the South used enslaved labor, whereas the North used wage labor in factories.

• Both traded with Europe, but the South exported mostly raw materials (cotton), while the North exported manufactured goods.

Open Ended

Practice command term: Compare and Contrast - Give an account of similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout

Prompt: Compare and contrast two holiday meals or traditions you’ve experienced.

Compare and contrast two holiday meals or traditions you’ve experienced.

Two holiday meals that stand out to me are Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner. Both meals bring my family together around a big table filled with food, laughter, and conversation. They share the same warm, celebratory atmosphere where everyone helps cook and enjoys being together. However, the meals themselves are quite different. Thanksgiving focuses on traditional dishes like turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, while Christmas dinner often includes ham, pasta, and more desserts. The tone is also slightly different—Thanksgiving feels more relaxed and centered on gratitude, while Christmas feels more festive and full of excitement from exchanging gifts. Even though the foods and moods vary, both holidays remind me of how food connects people and creates lasting memories.

Open Ended

Practice command term: Discuss - Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence

Prompt: Discuss whether eating together as a family is becoming less common and why that might matter.

Discuss whether eating together as a family is becoming less common and why that might matter.

Eating together as a family is becoming less common because many people have busy schedules and spend more time on their phones or watching TV. This change can make it harder for families to stay connected and talk about their day. However, some families find other ways to bond, like through activities or outings. Still, sharing meals allows for conversation, support, and a sense of belonging. Even if it doesn’t happen every night, eating together can strengthen relationships and improve communication within a family.

Open Ended

Practice command term: Describe - Give a detailed account of an event or situation

Prompt: Describe a time when you tried a new food and how you felt about it.

Describe a time when you tried a new food and how you felt about it.

Last summer, I tried sushi for the first time at a Japanese restaurant with my family. The chef served a small plate of colorful rolls filled with rice, avocado, and raw fish. At first, I was nervous because I had never eaten raw fish before, and I wasn’t sure how it would taste. When I took my first bite, I was surprised by the combination of flavors—the rice was slightly sweet, the avocado was creamy, and the fish was tender. By the end of the meal, I felt proud that I had tried something new and even discovered a food I really enjoyed. The experience made me more open to trying unfamiliar dishes in the future.

Open Ended

Practice command term: Evaluate - Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations

Prompt: Evaluate your school’s cafeteria food.

Evaluate your school’s cafeteria food.

The food in my school’s cafeteria has both strengths and limitations. On the positive side, the cafeteria offers a variety of meals each day, including options for students with dietary restrictions like vegetarian or gluten-free meals. The meals are also generally affordable, which makes it easier for students to eat at school rather than bringing lunch from home. However, some meals are often overcooked, bland, or low in fresh fruits and vegetables, which limits their nutritional value. Additionally, the lines can be long, making it difficult to have enough time to eat. Overall, while the cafeteria provides convenient and inclusive options, there is room for improvement in taste, quality, and efficiency.

Open Ended

Practice command term: Explain - Give a detailed account including reasons or causes

Prompt: Explain how your daily routine affects what and when you eat.

Explain how your daily routine affects what and when you eat.

My daily routine strongly influences both what and when I eat, and this changes depending on whether it’s a school day or a weekend. On school days, I usually eat a quick breakfast like cereal or toast because I need to leave early, and lunch is whatever is served in the cafeteria, which is convenient but not always very healthy. After school, I might snack on fruit or a granola bar before dinner, which I eat with my family at a set time. On weekends or holidays, I have more time and often enjoy a larger breakfast, like pancakes or eggs, and lunch might be homemade sandwiches or a meal with my family. I also tend to eat dinner later and sometimes try new recipes or dishes I don’t usually have during the week. Overall, my schedule determines not only the timing of meals but also how much effort and variety I put into what I eat.

Open Ended

Practice command term: Justify - Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion

Prompt: Justify why a particular snack or dessert is worth eating despite health concerns.

Justify why a particular snack or dessert is worth eating despite health concerns.

I think chocolate cake is worth eating even though it’s not very healthy because it brings joy and comfort. Sharing it with friends or family makes celebrations more special, and enjoying a small portion satisfies cravings without overindulging. Occasionally having a treat like this can improve mood and make healthy eating more sustainable overall.

Open Ended

Practice command term: To what extent - Consider the merits or otherwise of an argument or concept. Opinions and conclusions should be presented clearly and supported with appropriate evidence and sound argument. Hint - Should have a measurement of some sort (more than, less than, moderate extent, some extent, etc.)

Prompt: To what extent does social media affect what foods you like or try?

To what extent does social media affect what foods you like or try?

Social media affects my food choices to a moderate extent. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram introduce me to new recipes and trending snacks, which sometimes inspire me to try foods I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. However, my personal preferences, family meals, and cultural traditions still play a bigger role in determining what I actually enjoy eating. Overall, social media influences my curiosity about food, but it does not completely shape my tastes.

Open Ended

Practice command term: Analyze - To identify parts and connections, and to interpret information to reach conclusions

Prompt: Analyze how a favorite food of yours reflects your family traditions or culture.

Analyze how a favorite food of yours reflects your family traditions or culture.

My favorite food is adobo, a traditional Filipino dish, and it reflects my family’s culture and traditions. Preparing and eating adobo brings my family together, especially during celebrations, because everyone helps with cooking or sharing the meal. The flavors—soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic—show how Filipino cuisine balances strong, bold tastes, which is a hallmark of our culture. This food connects me to my heritage and reminds me of the importance of family in everyday life.