Command Words

Question 1

Calculate

Answer 1

Work out the values of smth

Question 2

Describe

Answer 2

Give an account of

Question 3

Describe how you would…

Answer 3

Briefly detail the principles of an investigation. Name the IV,DV and controlled variables, control experiment and methods of standardizing. Volumes and masses of solutions are normally not necessary

Question 4

Define

Answer 4

Specify meaning: using specific terminology from the spec

Question 5

Evaluate

Answer 5

Judge from the available evidence. To get full marks you need to use evidence that both supports and negates the conclusion. Your answer should contain the word ‘but’
- always make comparisons e.g. more species on conventional farming ‘than’
- be specific e.g if your negating the conclusion state why e.g. number of samples taken is not taken so the data may not be representative

Question 6

Explain

Answer 6

Give reasons using your taught A level biology knowledge
- be specific e.g when does crossing over occur?

Question 7

Use information from….

Answer 7

The most ignored statement in exam papers! To get full marks you must refer to the information provided as well as your a-level knowledge

Question 8

Sketch(a curve to show)

Answer 8

This term refers to the drawing of graphs. You need to estimate of the expected curve. Even on a sketched graph, the axes should be correctly labelled

Question 9

Suggest

Answer 9

Present possibilities using all your biological knowledge
- link back to knowledge of the topic

Question 10

Compare

Answer 10

Identify similarities and or differences

Question 11

Contrast

Answer 11

Identify differences

Question 12

Draw

Answer 12

Produce a labelled diagram

Question 13

Name

Answer 13

Give the full title

Question 14

State and explain

Answer 14

• Give your answer and give the reason for why you gave that answer

Question 15

Controlled experiments note

Answer 15

• To compare results
• To ensure that the independent variable is the cause

Question 16

Application

Answer 16

• create links in the question to other information about the topic

Question 17

conclude

Answer 17

Make a conclusion about the information provided using your knowledge of the subject e.g. at low oxygen levels, there is enough supply of oxygen for respiration

Question 18

Evaluation points

Answer 18

• No control group
• unknown side effects
• only one person tested
• no stats test

Question 19

Key

Answer 19

ALWAYS GIVE SHORT, STRAIGHT TO THE POINT ANSWERS!!!!

Question 20

Give the evaluation template

Answer 20

• No stats test (to show if differences are significant
• Another NAMED factor may be involved
• Little evidence/ data for higher or lower variable
• Correlation does not mean causation
• Small sample size
• The trial not being done in humans but in mice

Question 21

Suggest one advantage of using the FFQ method and one disadvantage of using the FFQ method compared with the alternative method.

FFQ: Questionnaire
Alternative method is to calculate the fibre eaten by asking people detailed question of what they have eaten in the last 24hrs

Answer 21

ADVANTAGE
• Over a long period so more representative
• More cost effective because fewer nurses are required
• People are more likely to be honest in a questionnaire

DISADVANTAGE
• Relies on long-term memory so may not be accurate
• Person may be more honest when being interviewed