Biology › Command words
A-level biology command words
Command words indicate the type of response required. For example, describe asks for relevant features or trends, while explain asks for reasons or mechanisms. Read the whole question and use your board’s published guidance, because the expected detail depends on the context and number of marks.
What each word asks for
- Calculate
- A number, with working and units.
- Compare
- Similarities and/or differences, with both things in each point.
- Complete
- Fill in a table, diagram or equation.
- Describe
- The features, steps or trend asked about, without giving reasons.
- Discuss
- The arguments on more than one side, set out and weighed.
- Evaluate
- Both sides and a judgement supported by the evidence given.
- Explain
- Why it happens; the mark scheme will want a because.
- Give
- A fact, sometimes read off a source in the question.
- Identify
- Name or select the thing asked for, often from information supplied.
- Name
- The term itself, and nothing else earns the mark.
- Outline
- The main points only, briefly.
- State
- A fact or a name, no reasoning expected or credited.
- Suggest
- Apply what you know to a situation you have not met.
Marking labels used in InkBiology questions
Every question in this library carries an original mark scheme written point by point. These labels belong to those schemes and are not necessarily used by every awarding body.
- A
- Answer or accuracy point.
- B
- Independent point, awarded regardless of the other marks.
- M
- Method or manipulation.
Mark a written answer against the scheme supplied with the question rather than by feel, and record the points you missed.