IGCSE Geography Command Terms

Annotate

• Add labels of notes or short comments, usually to a diagram, map or photograph to describe or explain.

• Add the remaining detail or details required

• Look carefully at (usually one of the figures in the question paper).

• Use evidence to make judgements about a statement.

Calculate

• Make a sketch of. Often coupled with a labelled diagram (draw a diagram/ illustration with written notes to identify its features).

• Write about why something occurs or happens.

• say what you think about something.

• Work out a numerical answer. In general, working should be shown, especially where two or more steps are involved.

Identify

• Find where something is placed or state where something is found or mark it on a map or diagram

• Pick out something from information you have been given.

• Add specific names or details to an illustrative technique in response to a particular requirement.

• Say why you chose something or why you think in a certain way.

Measure

• To state or specify or identify. To give the word or words by which a specific feature is known or to give examples which illustrate a particular feature.

• Set down in brief detail. To refer to an aspect of a particular feature by a short statement or by words or by a single word

• Implies that the quantity concerned can be directly obtained from a suitable measuring instrument.

• Use your own knowledge and understanding, probably along with information provided, to state what might happen next.

Illustrating your answer

• Set down your ideas on or knowledge of. Often coupled with why (requires a statement or an explanatory statement referring to a particular feature or features).

• Look carefully at (usually one of the Figures in the question paper).

• Write an answer which uses some of the ideas provided in map/ photograph/diagram, etc. or other additional material such as a case study

• Account for by using specific examples or diagrams. (Often coupled with by a labelled diagram).

Justify

• Account for by using specific examples or diagrams. (Often coupled with by a labelled diagram).

• Say why you chose something or why you think in a certain way.

• Bananas

• To state or specify or identify. To give the word or words by which a specific feature is known or to give examples which illustrate a particular feature

Predict

• Use your own knowledge and understanding, probably along with information provided, to state what might happen next.

• Have a gamble on your gut feelings

• Base your answer on the information.

• Look carefully at (usually one of the Figures in the question paper).

Explain or Account for or Give Reasons for

• Write what something is like or where it is

• Say what you think about something.

• Write about why something occurs or happens.

• In what way? To what extent? By what means/method? May be coupled with Show how (prove how, demonstrate how)

List

• Identify and name a number of features to meet a particular purpose.

• Find where something is placed or state where something is found or mark it on a map or diagram.

• Pick out something from information you have been given.

• Hot Cocoa

What is the correct definition for weather?

• the long term atmospheric conditions

• the average conditions of the atmosphere

• the short term or day to day conditions of the atmosphere

• the amount of rain in a 24 hour period