Exam Command Words

What does the command word 'describe' mean?

• Say what you see/ give a detailed account of a picture, situation, event or pattern.

• Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.

• Give a detailed account including reasons or causes

• Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information.

What does the command word 'explain' mean?

• Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.

• Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.

• Give a detailed account including reasons or causes

• Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information.

What does the command word 'analyse' mean?

• Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.

• Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.

• Give a detailed account including reasons or causes

• Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information.

What does the command word 'evaluate' mean?

• Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.

• Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.

• Give a detailed account including reasons or causes

• Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information.

What does the command word 'justify' mean?

• Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.

• Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.

• Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.

• Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information.

What does the command word 'identify' mean?

• Express precisely and systematically the relevant concepts or arguments.

• Observe, study or make a detailed and systematic examination, in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

• Recognise and state briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.

• Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information.

What does the command word 'investigate' mean?

• Express precisely and systematically the relevant concepts or arguments.

• Observe, study or make a detailed and systematic examination, in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

• Recognise and state briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.

• Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information.

What does the command word 'interpret' mean?

• Say what you see, provide an account of a picture, event or pattern.

• Observe, study or make a detailed and systematic examination, in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

• Recognise and state briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.

• Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information.

A question starting with which command word would be worth the most amount of marks.

• Describe

• Explain

• Identify

• Evaluate

A question starting with which command word would be worth the least amount of marks.

• Describe

• Explain

• Identify

• Evaluate