def compareThresh(value,threshold,mode,inclusive, *, default=False):
    """Returns a boolean only if value satisfies the threshold test. In case of failure of any sort, returns the default value (which defaults to 'False').
    
    Accepted mode values are '<', '>', '<=' and '>='."""
    
    #normalizing input
    if inclusive:
        if mode == ">":
            mode = ">="
        elif mode == "<":
            mode = "<="

    if mode == "<": return value < threshold
    elif mode == ">": return value > threshold
    elif mode == "<=": return value <= threshold
    elif mode == ">=": return value >= threshold

    return default