Command words IGCSE

This is not the same as describe. You should give an answer that has some reasons. You may have to explain why something happens or how it happens

• Explain

• Discuss

• Outline

• Suggest

You may be asked to discuss advantages and disadvantages – so make sure you give some of both. Much depends on the type of question, but ‘discuss’ usually means you should give different sides of a story or an argument

• Explain

• Discuss

• Outline

• Predict

This is not the same as describe. You should give the main important points without any detail

• Explain

• Discuss

• Outline

• Predict

This means you should state what you think will happen. You may be asked to justify your prediction or explain it; explanation is not required if all the question says is “predict....”

• Predict

• Discuss

• Explain

• Outline

This is often used when there is no single correct answer; you should look through the information you have been given for some clues as to what to ‘suggest’ in response to the question. Many problem-solving questions use this command word

• Predict

• Suggest

• Calculate

• Measure

Calculate

• This is obvious; make sure you know how to calculate percentages, percentage changes, rates and ratios (for genetics). Always give your working even if not asked. Always make sure you use the correct units

• This is often used when there is no single correct answer; you should look through the information you have been given for some clues as to what to ‘suggest’ in response to the question. Many problem-solving questions use this command word

• You should use a suitable measuring instrument to take a reading. Usually this involves using a ruler to measure to the nearest mm. Make sure you write down the unit after the numerical answer

• This is not the same as ‘measure’. Either you should explain how an experiment should be set up to take measurements or how you should make a calculation from some results or data given in a table or graph

This is not the same as ‘measure’. Either you should explain how an experiment should be set up to take measurements or how you should make a calculation from some results or data given in a table or graph

• Discuss

• Explain

• Determine

• Suggest

You don’t have to give an accurate answer – but your answer (which is usually numerical) should only be approximate

• Determine

• Calculate

• Measure

• Estimate

This is not the same as ‘measure’. Either you should explain how an experiment should be set up to take measurements or how you should make a calculation from some results or data given in a table or graph

• Determine

• Estimate

• Sketch

• Suggest

This means you should state what you think will happen. You may be asked to justify your prediction or explain it; explanation is not required if all the question says is ...........

• Outline

• Predict

• Suggest

• Calculate