Six-mark questions
Six-mark questions will only appear in the Depth paper. There will be two six-mark questions in the Depth paper.
Six-mark questions are extended free-response questions, requiring the longest answers. It is wise to plan your answer rather than rushing straight into it. Without a plan it is easy to lose marks by straying away from the key point, getting steps in a process in the wrong order or forgetting key bits of information.
To gain six marks, you will need to:
- use appropriate scientific words and terms
- write your answer in full sentences, not bullet points
- write clearly, linking ideas in a logical way
- maintain a sustained line of reasoning, rather than a random list of statements and sentences
- support explanations using scientific knowledge and understanding
Six-mark questions are marked using a levels-based mark scheme. An answer that is not clear and logically sequenced, and which does not give a coherent argument supported by evidence, will be limited to the lower levels. Similarly, if the question asks you to discuss both sides of an argument, or explain two observations, you will be limited to the lowest level if your answer only considers one of them (no matter how brilliantly written or comprehensively explained that one is).
These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Describe how we can prevent the spread of disease. [6 marks]
Your answer must show an awareness of different types and causes of disease, and give examples of how the different types could be prevented, including by some of the methods below:
- water can be sterilised by chemicals or UV light to kill pathogens
- cooking foods thoroughly and preparing them in hygienic conditions kills pathogens
- washing surfaces with disinfectants kills pathogens
- vaccinations introduce a small or weakened version of a pathogen into the body so your immune system learns how to defend itself
- using barrier contraception like condoms stops the transfer of bodily fluids and so prevents the spread of sexually transmitted diseases
- additional marks for correct disease and prevention strategy
You should also show that you understand that not all disease types are easily preventable, and are influenced by lifestyle or genetic factors.
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Describe how non-specific human defence systems stop you from falling ill. [6 marks]
Explain that a non-specific defence system is general rather than targeted at one particular illness and so may be seen as a first line of defence only. Use examples such as those below to illustrate the range of ways that humans are adapted to defend themselves:
- your skin covers almost all parts of your body to prevent infection from pathogens
- your nose has hairs within them which act as a physical barrier to infection
- mucus is produced by goblet cells in your nose, throat and trachea
- mucus traps dust and pathogens
- pathogens in mucus are wafted by ciliated cells to your throat and swallowed
- stomach acid kills pathogens
You may also briefly state that if pathogens get past the non-specific defence systems, that there are other systems in place such as antibodies as a second line of defence.
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Describe the process of making monoclonal antibodies. [6 marks]
This question asks you to describe a process, and so the points need to be in sequence. To get full marks you need to show that you understand the reason for each of the steps in the procedure. The steps should include most of the following:
- an antigen is injected into a mouse
- the mouse naturally produces lymphocytes
- these produce antibodies specific to the antigen
- spleen cells containing lymphocytes are removed during a small operation
- the spleen cells are fused with cancerous white blood cells called myeloma cells
- these form hybridoma cells which divide indefinitely
- they produce millions of monoclonal antibodies specific to the original antigen
