Command words

Question 1

Add/Label

Answer 1

Requires the addition or labelling to a stimulus material
given in the question, for example labelling a diagram or
adding units to a table.

Question 2

Assess

Answer 2

Give careful consideration to all the factors or events that
apply and identify which are the most important or relevant.
Make a judgement on the importance of something, and
come to a conclusion where needed.

Question 3

Calculate

Answer 3

Obtain a numerical answer, showing relevant working. If the

answer has a unit, this must be included.

Question 4

Comment on

Answer 4

Requires the synthesis of a number of variables from

data/information to form a judgement.

Question 5

Compare and

contrast

Answer 5

Looking for the similarities and differences of two (or more)
things. Should not require the drawing of a conclusion.
Answer must relate to both (or all) things mentioned in the
question.
The answer must include at least one similarity and one
difference.

Question 6

Complete

Answer 6

Requires the completion of a table/diagram.

Question 7

Criticise

Answer 7

Inspect a set of data, an experimental plan or a scientific
statement and consider the elements. Look at the merits
and faults of the information presented and support
judgements made by giving evidence.

Question 8

Deduce

Answer 8

Draw/reach conclusion(s) from the information provided.

Question 9

Describe

Answer 9

To give an account of something. Statements in the
response need to be developed as they are often linked but
do not need to include a justification or reason.

Question 10

Determine

Answer 10

The answer must have an element which is quantitative
from the stimulus provided, or must show how the answer
can be reached quantitatively. To gain maximum marks
there must be a quantitative element to the answer.

Question 11

Devise

Answer 11

Plan or invent a procedure from existing principles/ideas.

Question 12

Discuss

Answer 12

● Identify the issue/situation/problem/argument that is
being assessed within the question
● Explore all aspects of an
issue/situation/problem/argument
● Investigate the issue/situation etc by reasoning or
argument

Question 13

Draw

Answer 13

Produce a diagram either using a ruler or using freehand.

Question 14

Evaluate

Answer 14

Review information then bring it together to form a
conclusion, drawing on evidence including strengths,
weaknesses, alternative actions, relevant data or
information. Come to a supported judgement of a subject’s
qualities and relation to its context.

Question 15

Explain

Answer 15

An explanation requires a justification/exemplification of a
point. The answer must contain some element
of reasoning/justification, this can include mathematical
explanations.

Question 16

Give/State/Name

Answer 16

All of these command words are really synonyms. They
generally all require recall of one or more pieces of
information.

Question 17

Give a

reason/reasons

Answer 17

When a statement has been made and the requirement is

only to give the reasons why.

Question 18

Identify

Answer 18

Usually requires some key information to be selected from a

given stimulus/resource.

Question 19

Justify

Answer 19

Give evidence to support (either the statement given in the

question or an earlier answer)

Question 20

Plot

Answer 20

Produce a graph by marking points accurately on a grid from
data that is provided and then drawing a line of best fit
through these points. A suitable scale and appropriately
labelled axes must be included if these are not provided in
the question.

Question 21

Predict

Answer 21

Give an expected result.

Question 22

Show that

Answer 22

Verify the statement given in the question.

Question 23

Sketch

Answer 23

Produce a freehand drawing. For a graph this would need a
line and labelled axis with important features indicated, the
axis are not scaled.

Question 24

State what is meant

by

Answer 24

When the meaning of a term is expected but there are

different ways of how these can be described.

Question 25

Write

Answer 25

When the questions ask for an equation.