Command words 1.Define: Give precise meaning Activity: Initially, give students several examples of questions and answers using command words ‘Identify’ ‘Define’ and ‘Explain’ to study so that they understand the demands of each command word. Then give students some answers to questions based on topics previously covered in class. In small groups, students can discuss which ones are answers to ‘Identity’ ‘Define’ or’ Explain’ questions. The correct command verbs could be given for each answer following the discussion, so students have a clear understanding. Learner friendly definition of the word: What is meant by the term….? Examples: Define the term inflation i.e., What is meant by the term inflation? Answer: Inflation means a sustained increase an economy’s price level over a period of time. Problems my learners will have understanding the command word: Knowing how much to write (i.e., writing too much or too little) and/or the level of precision required (i.e., not giving an accurate definition). The suggested activity will hopefully help to overcome this problem of writing too much or too little. 2.Explain: set out purposes or reasons/make the relationships between things evident/provide why and/or how and support with relevant evidence Activity: Initially, give students several examples of questions and answers using command words ‘Define’, ‘Explain’ and ‘Analyse’ to study so that they understand the demands of each command word. Then give students some answers to questions based on topics previously covered in class. In small groups, students can discuss which ones are answers to ‘Define’, ‘Explain’ or ‘Analyse’ questions. The correct command verbs could be given for each answer following the discussion so students have a clear understanding. Learner friendly definition of the word: Give the cause and /or effect of…. Use examples/evidence where relevant. Examples: Explain why a profit-maximising retailer may be interested in the link between consumers’ loyalty and price elasticity of demand. [4] i.e., Give the cause and or effect of why a profit-maximising retailer may be interested in the link between consumers’ loyalty and price elasticity of demand. Use examples/evidence where relevant. Answer: Loyalty will mean consumers do not change suppliers; this might create a lower price elasticity of demand. As price elasticity of demand is a measure of responsiveness of the quantity demanded for a product following a change in price and revenue is calculated by quantity multiplied by price A lower or relatively price inelastic demand means that increases in price results in an increase in total revenue, despite a lower quantity sold because price would be a stronger influence; increases in revenue therefore are likely to result in higher profits for a firm, depending on cost changes. Problems my learners will have understanding the command word: Knowing the difference between the demands of describe and explain and/or the demands of explain and analyse. The suggested activity will hopefully help to overcome the problems identified. 3.Compare: identify/comment on similarities and/or differences Activity: Students could be given a piece of paper with a Venn diagram (with two overlapping circles) drawn on it. They can be asked two write similarities between two items in the middle and the differences between could be written on the outer parts of the circles. Learner friendly definition of the word: What is the same? /What is different? Examples: Use Fig. 1 to compare the trend in the world production of bicycles with that of cars. [2] i.e., What is the same? /What is different about the trend in the world production of bicycle with that of cars? Answer: Bicycle production has grown by a greater amount than that of cars and unit bicycle production has always been greater than car production Problems my learners will have understanding the command word: Students might only refer to differences when there may also be similarities present or vice versa. This means that students might not provide a full comparison. Completing the Venn diagram activity suggested should hopefully help to over come the problem identified and get students to give more thoughtful answers to ‘compare’ questions. 4.Analyse: examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them. Activity: Provide students with a partially completed flow/process diagram to complete so that they can see how a provide detailed breakdown of an idea or concept and see the relationships between causes and effects. Learner friendly definition of the word: Provide a detailed breakdown of each of the relevant elements. Then give detailed causes and /or effects by including logical links between each element. Use examples/evidence where relevant. Examples: Analyse, with the aid of diagrams, the impact of an increase in demand for palm oil on the markets for palm oil and palm kernel cake. [5] i.e. Provide a detailed breakdown of each of the impact of an increase in demand for palm oil on the markets for palm oil and palm kernel cake. Then give detailed causes and /or effects by including logical links between each element. Use examples/evidence where relevant. Answer: Palm kernel cake is in joint supply as a by-product of palm oil. Figure 1 shows increased demand for palm oil results in a higher price and quantity. Figure 2 shows that increased supply of palm kernel cake results in lower price and greater quantity. Problems my learners will have understanding the command word: Knowing the difference between the demands of analyse and explain. Also, providing logical links/chains of reasoning. 5.Assess: make an informed judgement Activity: Provide students with a simple table to plan out arguments, counterarguments/limitations, and conclusion. This will help them to meet the demands of an ‘assess’ question. Arguments (+) Counterarguments/limitations (-) Conclusion Learner friendly definition of the word: Provide a balanced view of an issue, using evidence/examples. Then provide a conclusion, which is backed up with evidence/examples and includes which includes relevant counterargument/limitations. Examples: Assess whether Vietnam’s ‘economic miracle’ is likely to persist over the next few years. Up to 4 marks for explanation/analysis: [6] i.e., Provide a balanced view of whether Vietnam’s ‘economic miracle’ is likely to persist over the next few years, using evidence/examples. Then provide a conclusion, which is backed up with evidence/examples and includes which includes relevant counterargument/limitations Answer: A reason why Vietnam’s miracle of a rapidly increased real gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to persist is the ongoing dispute between US and China which has resulted in rising GDP per head in Vietnam. Increased protectionism in trade between China and the United States (US) has enabled Vietnam to produce goods that are substitutes to those made in China which has led to an increase in aggregate demand (AD) due to increased exports, coupled with increased consumption arising from increased GDP per head. However, the miracle may not persist such as US imposing additional tariffs on Vietnam’s exports, furthermore, there has been a downturn in global economy. Lower exports are likely to reduce AD thus reducing economic growth. This would be further compounded by downturn in the global economy which would result in a decrease in consumption and investment which would further reduce AD and thus economic growth. In conclusion, is unlikely to continue because Vietnam’s heavy dependence on exports poses to be more of a risk to the country. If there is a world recession Vietnam’s economic miracle is likely to end, for instance multinational companies (MNCs) could easily move elsewhere thus resulting in a fall of real GDP per head. Problems my learners will have understanding the command word: Knowing the difference between the demands of assess, discuss, and evaluate. Also, providing a balanced view of an issue using logical links/chains of reasoning and examples. Providing a conclusion that doesn’t repeat the arguments initially presented.
