Command Words

Question 1

Identify, Name , Give or State

Answer 1

Usually Worth 1 mark
An explanation of your answer is not required.
Usually Definitions

Question 2

Describe

Answer 2

You must provide a statement or structure of characteristics and/or features.

Question 3

Explain

Answer 3

• Provide details as to how something works or reasons as to why something is happening.
• Relate cause and effect/ make relationships clear
• ‘Explain in terms of’ you MUST include the words mentioned.

Question 4

Determine/ Calculate

Answer 4

Your answer will be a numerical value with uni, calculated from given facts, figures or information.
Usually 3 marks
If 4 marks something else is required, you must select values from a graph or do another calculation/ analyse a previous question

Question 5

Estimate

Answer 5

Your answer is an approximate value for something.
Based upon calculation, from a graph or be estimated by comparison to a previous response.

Question 6

Justify

Answer 6

• Often a follow up to a State Question
• Must provide a reason for the statement/ suggestion/ conclusion you provided.
• You can justify using a calculation but remember to also state your conclusion

Question 7

Must Justify

Answer 7

You must not only state or select the correct response, but also provide supporting justification to achieve marks.
No reason = No marks

Question 8

Show That

Answer 8

’ Show’ a particular answer is correct, you must start your response with an appropriate relationship, show the correct substitutions, and end with the final answer as it is shown.
Don’t show correct relationship = No marks

Question 9

Predict

Answer 9

Suggest what may happen based upon available Information.
Involve comparison of data and will often require an analysis of graph, table or set of results.

Question 10

Suggest how/why

Answer 10

Like an explain question, but is about applying knowledge and understanding to a new situation.
- Suggest improvement to an experiment
- reason why something hasn’t worked as well as it should.
- There is negative marking

Question 11

Using your knowledge of Physics, Comment on

Answer 11

Open-ended questions, can have a range of answers
Statements of relevant and correct physics at Advanced Higher Level.
Provide explanations, calculations, justifications, suggestions and even drawings.

Question 12

Draw

Answer 12

You need to draw something, could be anything but often a graph or line on a graph or circuit diagram etc.
- Use a ruler unless you are intentionally drawing a curve.

Question 13

Compare

Answer 13

You will probably need to provide some numerical working as evidence for your final answer and compare it to another value (calculated or given)