Every piece of work you complete for school or college will have a 'question'. This might be a direct question for you to answer, or it might be a set of instructions that you need to follow. Either way, you need to make sure that you have fully read and understood what you are being asked to do. Here are some things to look out for:
Practical Instructions
Is there a particular type of work you are being asked to produce? Are you making an argument, writing a piece of fiction, or giving a presentation? Or something else?
Is there a word limit for written work, or a time limit for a presentation? Is there a minimum length that it needs to be?
When does it need to be handed in?
Make sure that you carefully read all of the instructions you have been given. It can be helpful to make key points into a checklist that you can refer to when you proofread your work.
Key Words
Keep an eye out for any subject words in your question. This is what you are being asked to write about (or present about). You may want to highlight them so that they stick out.
Next look for instruction words within the question. These are how you are being asked to write about the subject. You could highlight these in a different colour.
For example:
Describe a zebra and a horse, then compare the two. Explain how their differences help them live in their surroundings.
The subject words are 'zebra' and 'horse'. You'll need to focus on these two animals in your answer. The instruction words are 'describe', 'compare' and 'explain'. You'll need to do all three of these things to fully answer the question.
Use a Dictionary
If you're not sure of the meaning of a word in your question, make sure you find out. You could look it up in a dictionary, or use an internet search engine. If you are finding a definition online, make sure you are using a trusted source.