Command Words Commonly Used in Questions

7/27/2019 Command Words Commonly Used in Questions

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COMMAND /TASK WORDS

COMMAND WORDS COMMONLY USED IN BIOLOGY QUESTIONS

WORDS Explanation Examples

Direct Questions:WhatWhyWhereHow

The mark allocated should indicate thedepth of your answer.

1. What is the effect of addingsubstance X ?

2. Why does the musclecontract?

3. Where is the mitochondrionfound?

4. How are monosaccharidesformed from disaccharides?

Give / StateName / Label/IdentifyDraw/ Drawsection /Completediagram/ Markdirection

Straightforward commands.

Usually short or one-word answers arerequired.

Point out and name. These words ask for ashort answer to a simple task .

1. State the function of X.2. Name the technique used

to produce new plants inlarge quantities.

3. Draw a section through theovule

4. Identify the chloroplastfrom the Figure ...

Define/ explainthe meaning of

Requires a statement outlining what ismeant by a particular term.

These words ask for a relatively shortanswer (check the marks given) usuallytwo or three sentences where the precisemeaning of the term is identified (usuallydoesnt need an example0

Define the term osmosis.

Describe /Describe briefly

This is one of the most widely usedcommand words

Used when an account of an experiment isasked for / to observe a graph and describethe differences in the curves.

Describe the changes in ... is often usedwith a graph or series of graphs .Accurateverbs are required, and using words likerapidly, steeply, gently, gradually.

Describe the differences between ...means only differences are required nocredit is given for similarities or for

descriptions of one of the items. Might bestbe done with individual sentences eachidentifying a difference.

Describe the relationship between ...means only the links between the two itemsare required You must identify and establishthe link clearly.

Describe how would you use theapparatus to measure the rate ofuptake of oxygen.

Describe what happens to the endproducts of digestion of the foodeaten during breakfast in the bodycells. {8m]

Compare /Differentiatebetween/Compare andcontrast

Asking for similarities and differences- Giveboth.

Compare What is wanted is a point bypoint identification ofsimilarities and of

differences (compare includes looking atcontrasts, while a command to contrast

Compare two structures of asensory neurone and a motorneurone. [2M]

Differentiate between the structures

of DNA and RNA [1M]

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COMMAND /TASK WORDS


means only looking for differences). Usecomparative adjectives eg. larger than,smaller, less densely.

Contrast... on its own, means only lookingfordifferences

Explain /Explain briefly/Explain why/Explain how/Explain youranswer /

Should give a biological explanation.Requires details.

Explain Give reasons or causes.Description is not enough (and may not beneeded at all). Show an understanding ofwhy or how something has occurred

Explain the importance of ATP inmuscle contraction.

Explain the importance ofsecondary growth to plants

Explain the role of vacuole tomaintain cell turgidity. [2M]

Calculate Carry out calculation and shows steps of your working, even if not asked to do so.

Should be as accurate as possible.Beware of rounding figures up.(2 decimalpoints)

Watch out for calculations in topicsForm 4 and 5.

Draw a graph Select a suitable scale. Use pencil so thatany errors can be rectified easily

Study all the graphs in Biology

Suggest anexplanation for /

Suggest onemethod..

You are not expected to know what the correct answer is / you are presented withan unfamiliar situation.Your answer should draw on your biological knowledge of similar situations ( widerange of answers could be accepted , as long as it is sensible.)

Predict the result Use your judgement and biological knowledge to make a sensible suggestion andgive reasons.

Discuss Requires you to describe and evaluate a situation, putting forward more than one

opinion.

Plan answers before beginning to write.

Usually you are expected to build up an argument about an issue and to presentmore than one side of the evidence with supporting examples. This creates awritten debate identifying both positive and negative points and then you mustreach a conclusion from the debate.

You should both describe and explain. Try to create a balanced answer

Analyse Break down the topic into parts and give an in-depth account. Comment.

Briefly ... Be concise and straightforward. Dont spend much too much time on this part(but dont list - sentences still required).

Classify Use classification in your answer (ie divide into groups or categories).Justify Usually applies to decision-making

questions. When you have made yourdecision you must justify why that course ofaction was better than the alternatives.

Explain why your chosen course is betterthan the options that you rejected.

Also explain how your choice meets thecriteria set out for you in the question (orwhich you had to describe earlier in your

answer).

Write down your reasons to support an

Explain the above statements tojustify that lymphatic systemi is acomplementary to the bloodcirculatory system. [10M]

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COMMAND /TASK WORDS


argument or an action.

Study figure 1./ Based onFigure 1

If youre asked to look at a diagram, then you must use that to help you answer thequestion which follows.

Suggest...

WHAT ISMEANT BYWHAT ISUNDERSTOODBY

Put forward an idea or reason. There are anumber of possible explanations - givethese. Then say which you tend to favour.

Think about an answer that might bereasonable you might findseveral ways of solving thequestion write about themall. .

Suggest the ways to overcomethese health problems.

EVALUATE

Decide why something is important orsuccessful.

Give an evaluation of thestatement..

INTERPRET Explain the meaning in your own words for example you might be asked toINTERPRET a graph. Here you should write down what the graph shows you.

RELATE

Write about the connection between things

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Command Words Commonly Used in Questions