Command Words

Question 1

Add/label

Answer 1

Show information or name something on a graph, diagram or table.

Question 2

Give/state/name

Answer 2

Recall one or more pieces of information

Question 3

Draw

Answer 3

Produce a diagram with or without a ruler. Simple line diagrams for scientific equipment and circuit symbols for a circuit diagram.

Question 4

Write

Answer 4

When the questions ask for an equation e.g. a balanced symbol equation

Question 5

Plot

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Sketch

Answer 6

Produce a drawing without a ruler e.g. sketch a rough graph with axes and a line.

Question 7

Complete

Answer 7

Add values to a table or diagram

Question 8

Estimate

Answer 8

Find a rough number or amount from the information given in the question.

Question 9

Identify

Answer 9

Choose key details from information given in the question.

Question 10

Calculate

Answer 10

Work out your answer using the numbers in the question, include units in your answer.

Question 11

Show that

Answer 11

Prove the statement in the question is right.

Question 12

Determine

Answer 12

Use information in the question and give a numerical answer.

Question 13

Deduce

Answer 13

Come to a decision based on information in the question.

Question 14

Explain

Answer 14

Say how or why something happens, ‘because’ will be an important part of your answer.

Question 15

State and explain

Answer 15

Make a point and link ideas to justify that point.

Question 16

Comment on

Answer 16

Look at data or information and decide what it shows.

Question 17

Compare and contrast

Answer 17

Give similarities and differences between several things, not just one.

Question 18

Predict

Answer 18

Say what you think will happen based on what you know

Question 19

Discuss

Answer 19

Pick out the situation or argument in the question, explore all aspects of it, investigate it with reasoning or making an argument.

Question 20

Justify

Answer 20

Give information to support an answer

Question 21

Assess

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Evaluate

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Devise

Answer 23

Plan a method or experiment using your knowledge

Question 24

Suggest

Answer 24

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.