What does the verb "evaluate" ask you to do?

The verb "evaluate" specifically asks for an assessment based on established criteria. This means that when you evaluate something, you are not just stating your opinion; instead, you are weighing the evidence against certain standards or benchmarks. Your judgment should consider various factors, including strengths and weaknesses, relevance, and effectiveness. This process often involves a critical analysis where you provide reasoning for your conclusions, making it a comprehensive task rather than a simple review or summary.

In contrast, the other options focus on different cognitive processes. Clarifying a concept entails explaining it in greater detail, which differs from evaluating as it doesn’t involve judgment. Identifying components of an issue refers to breaking down the issue into its parts without necessarily making a judgment about their effectiveness or importance. Summarizing involves briefly presenting the main points of a concept, which lacks the critical analysis required in an evaluation.