Command Words

What does the command word "State" mean?

• Give the reasons why something happens. Use the word "because".

• Use numbers in the question to work out an answer. Show your workings.

• Give a brief one or two word answer, or a short sentence.

• Say what you think will happen.

A questions asks "State the useful energy produced by a car engine."

What is the best answer?

• Kinetic energy

• Kinetic energy because the car is moving

• Kinetic energy is useful and heat and sound are wasted

• Heat and sound are wasted by the engine

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What does the command word "Calculate" mean?

• Give the reasons why something happens. Use the word "because".

• Use numbers in the question to work out an answer. Show your workings.

• Give a brief one or two word answer, or a short sentence.

• Say what you think will happen.

A questions asks "Calculate the GPE of a 60 kg man that is standing on a 2 m high ladder."

What is the best answer?

• 1200

• 1200 J

• GPE = mass x g x height

  = 60 x 10 x 2

  = 1200 J

• GPE = mass x g x height

What does the command word "Describe" mean?

• Give the reasons why something happens. Use the word "because".

• Use numbers in the question to work out an answer. Show your workings.

• Write about what something is like.

• Say what you think will happen.

A questions asks "Describe the trend in results."

What is the best answer?

• The graph is linear.

• As the number of coils is increased, the number of paperclips picked up also increases. It is a linear relationship.

• As the number of coils is increased, the number of paperclips picked up also increases. This is because adding more coils to the electromagnet makes it stronger.

• Positive correlation

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-3

What does the command word "Compare and contrast" mean?

• Give the reasons why something happens. Use the word "because".

• Use numbers in the question to work out an answer. Show your workings.

• Write about what something is like.

• Write about the similarities and differences between two or more things.

A questions asks "Compare and contrast animals cells and plant cells."

What is the best answer?

• Both animal cells and plant cells contain a nucleus, a cell membrane, cytoplasm and ribosomes. Only plant cells contain chloroplasts, a vacuole and a cell wall.

• Both types of cell contain a nucleus. Only plant cells have a cell wall.

• Both animal cells and plant cells contain a nucleus, a cell membrane, cytoplasm and ribosomes.

• Only plant cells contain chloroplasts, a vacuole and a cell wall.

What does the command word "Explain" mean?

• Give the reasons why something happens. Use the word "because".

• Say what you think will happen.

• Write about what something is like.

• Write about the similarities and differences between two or more things.

A questions asks "Explain the trend in results."

What is the best answer?

• The graph is linear.

• As the number of coils is increased, the number of paperclips picked up also increases.

• As the number of coils is increased, the number of paperclips picked up also increases. This is because adding more coils to the electromagnet makes it stronger.

• A stronger electromagnet will pick up more paperclips.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-3