One to four mark questions
One to four mark questions will start with command words such as ‘describe’ or ‘explain’. Some command words are easy to understand such as:
- ‘calculate’ or ‘determine’ for maths questions
- ‘complete’ to fill in a gap in a table or graph
- ‘define’ to give the meaning of an important word
- ‘suggest’ where you use your knowledge in an unfamiliar situation
- ‘compare’ where you describe the similarities and/or differences between things
The command words ‘describe’ and ‘explain’ can be confusing. If you are asked to describe a graph, you will be expected to write about its overall shape, whether it is linear or curved, the slope of gradients etc. If you are asked to explain why a pattern or trend is seen in a graph, you will be expected to use your science knowledge, not just say what you see (which is a description), eg the graph shows a steep linear increase for the first three hours because…
Explain how and why questions often have the word ‘because’ in their answer. Describe questions don’t.
The number of marks per question part is given in this form ‘[2 marks]’. It is essential that you give two different answers if a question is worth two marks. Sometimes you can gain a second mark by giving the units in a calculation or stating specific data points, eg during the first two years the number of lions deceased by seven.
You will be expected to write in more depth for three and four mark questions. They might ask you about a process such as the carbon cycle or the method you would use in an experiment.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
In most areas of Mexico the ground is covered in grey rocks. In one area the ground in covered with black rocks. The black rocks were formed about 1,000 years ago when a volcano erupted.
The scientists make two observations:
- very occasionally a black mouse is born to grey parents due to a mutation
- black mice are well camouflaged
Use these observations to explain why most of the mice in this area are black and not the usual grey. [4 marks]
OCR Gateway, GCE Biology, Paper J247 - Higher, 2016.
Make sure you use the observations given in your answer. Write your answer in full sentences.
Process involves natural selection (1)
Mice are fed on by snakes/owls (1)
Black mice are less likely to get eaten by snakes/ owls because they are camouflaged OR grey mice are more likely to get eaten by snakes/ owls because they cannot camouflage (1)
So black mice survive to pass on the allele for black colour but grey mice do not survive (1)
Sample question 2 - Higher
Question
Changes to populations of mice, bacteria and insects can happen over fairly short time periods.
Explain why changes to species such as humans take much longer. [2 marks]
OCR Gateway, GCE Biology, Paper J247 - Higher, 2016.
This question is worth two marks so make sure you include two different answers.
Humans reproduce more slowly than mice, bacteria and insects (1)
Humans go through fewer generations then mice, bacteria and insects in a certain time (1)
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Gametes are produced by the cell division process called meiosis. This halves the chromosome number compared to the number of chromosomes in other cells of the organism.
Explain why it is important that the number of chromosomes is halved in meiosis. [3 marks]
This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.
Gametes fuse in fertilisation (1)
The diploid chromosome number for the organism is maintained (1)
Each gamete contributes half of the genetic material (1)
