Easter revision Exam tips and how to answer the more challenging exam questions. The language in examinations Word appropriate estimate criteria relatively • The following words are not science specific but are used a lot in a number of subjects and in exam questions. factors specifically complex • It is generally assumed that pupils understand the meanings of these words, even though they don’t often hear them outside the school environment. proportional to rate negligible valid relevant objective terms data What does this mean? What do these command words mean? Calculate Choose* Compare Complete Define* Describe Design* Determine* Draw Estimate Evaluate Explain Give Identify* Justify Label Measure* Name Plan* Plot* Predict* Show* Sketch* Suggest Use Write Command words Calculate Choose* Compare •Students should use numbers given in the question to work out the answer. •Select from a range of alternatives. •This requires the student to describe the similarities and/or differences between things, not just write about one. Complete Define* Describe •Answers should be written in the space provided, for example on a diagram, in spaces in a sentence, or in a table. •Specify the meaning of something. •Students may be asked to recall some facts, events or process in an accurate way. Design* Determine* Draw •Set out how something will be done. •Use given data or information to obtain and answer. •To produce, or add to, a diagram. Command words Estimate Evaluate Explain •Assign an approximate value. •Students should use the information supplied, as well as their knowledge and understanding, to consider evidence for and against. •Students should make something clear, or state the reasons for something happening. Give Identify* Justify •Only a short answer is required, not an explanation or a description. •Name or otherwise characterise. •Use evidence from the information supplied to support an answer. Label Measure* Name •Provide appropriate names on a diagram. •Find an item of data for a given quantity. •Only a short answer is required, not an explanation or a description. Often it can be answered with a single word, phrase or sentence. Command words Plan* Plot* Predict* Show* •Write a method. •Mark on a graph using data given. •Give a plausible outcome. •Provide structured evidence to reach a conclusion. Sketch* Suggest Use Write •Draw approximately. •This term is used in questions where students need to apply their knowledge and understanding to a new situation. •The answer must be based on the information given in the question. Unless the information given in the question is used, no marks can be given. In some cases students might be asked to use their own knowledge and understanding. •Only a short answer is required, not an explanation or a description. Practicing types of exam question! Calculate Explain State, give, name, write down Compare Evaluate Suggest Describe Use the information in the passage / diagram / graph / table to Complete Question? What is the question asking me to do? (command word) What equations may I need? What useful information is there in the question? Do I need to calculate anything? (Use this space) What is this question really about? Are there any units I needs to convert? How will I answer this question? (bullet points) What key Information do I know about this topic? Don’t forget to order your points How do they want the final answer? Have I linked my answer to the context/How will I give my answer context? Command words: •Calculate •Choose* •Compare •Complete •Define* •Describe •Design* •Determine* •Draw •Estimate •Evaluate •Explain •Give •Identify* •Justify •Label •Measure* •Name •Plan* •Plot* •Predict* •Show* •Sketch* •Suggest •Use •Write Meaing: Command words: •Calculate •Choose* •Compare •Complete •Define* •Describe •Design* •Determine* •Draw •Estimate •Evaluate •Explain •Give •Identify* •Justify •Label •Measure* •Name •Plan* •Plot* •Predict* •Show* •Sketch* •Suggest •Use •Write Meaing: Word What does this mean? Word appropriate appropriate estimate estimate criteria criteria relatively relatively factors factors specifically specifically complex complex proportional to rate proportional to rate negligible negligible valid valid relevant relevant objective objective terms terms data data What does this mean?
