Command Words Flashcards
Add/label
Show information or name something on a graph, diagram or table.
Give/state/name
Recall one or more pieces of information
Draw
Produce a diagram with or without a ruler. Simple line diagrams for scientific equipment and circuit symbols for a circuit diagram.
Write
When the questions ask for an equation e.g. a balanced symbol equation
Plot
Mark points on a graph accurately using the information and the grid in the question. Label axes and use a suitable scale if not given in the question.
Sketch
Produce a drawing without a ruler e.g. sketch a rough graph with axes and a line.
Complete
Add values to a table or diagram
Estimate
Find a rough number or amount from the information given in the question.
Identify
Choose key details from information given in the question.
Calculate
Work out your answer using the numbers in the question, include units in your answer.
Show that
Prove the statement in the question is right.
Determine
Use information in the question and give a numerical answer.
Deduce
Come to a decision based on information in the question.
Explain
Say how or why something happens, ‘because’ will be an important part of your answer.
State and explain
Make a point and link ideas to justify that point.
Comment on
Look at data or information and decide what it shows.
Compare and contrast
Give similarities and differences between several things, not just one.
Predict
Say what you think will happen based on what you know
Discuss
Pick out the situation or argument in the question, explore all aspects of it, investigate it with reasoning or making an argument.
Justify
Give information to support an answer
Assess
Read the information in the question carefully and pick out the most important parts to help you answer the question or come to a conclusion.
Evaluate
Look at the information in the question and bring it together to make a decision and come to a conclusion with evidence from the question.
Devise
Plan a method or experiment using your knowledge
Suggest
Always used with another command word e.g. Suggest an explanation. Suggest tells you that you need to apply your knowledge to a new situation, and in this case to give a possible explanation.
