Command Words

Command Words

1. Add/Label

   • show information or name something on a graph, diagram or table.

2. Give/State/Name

   • Recall one or more pieces of information.

3. State what is meant by

   • Write down what the term in the question means

4. Draw

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

5. Write

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

6. plot

   • Mark points on a graph accurately using the information and grid in the question. Label axes and use a sensible scale if not given in the question

7. Sketch

   • Produce a drawing with a ruler e.g. sketch a rough graph with axes and a line.

8. Complete

   • Add values to a table or diagram

9. Show that

   • Prove the statement in question and give a numerical answer.

10. Determine

    • Use information in the question and give a numerical answer

11. Give a reason

    • Say why something happens; only write the number of reasons the question asks for.

12. Deduce

    • come to a decision based on the information in the question

13. Describe

    • Give an account of something, or link facts, information, events or processes in a logical order

14. Explain

    • Say how or why something happens; "because" will be an important part of your answer.

15. State and explain

    • Make a point and link ideas to justify that point

16. Comment on

    • Look at data or information and decide what it shows.

17. Discuss

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

18. compare and contrast

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

19. Justify

    • Give evidence to support an answer.

20. Predict

    • Say what you think will happen based on what you know

21. 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

22. 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

23. Devise

    • Plan a method or experiment using your knowledge

24. 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.