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, needing the longest answers. It is wise to plan your answer rather than rushing straight into it. Without a plan it is easy to stray away from the key points and lose marks, get steps in a process in the wrong order, or forget 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
- use and maintain a 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 an 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.
The answers shown here give marking points as bullet points. You do not usually need to include all of them to gain six marks, but you do need to write in full sentences, linking them logically and clearly.
These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Writing six-mark answers with Dr Alex Lathbridge
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
How to write six-mark answers in your science GCSE exams.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
The ionic compound sodium chloride may be represented by different models.
Evaluate which model is the best representation of sodium chloride. [6 marks]
Your answer should describe the limitations of each model.
To get the top marks, your answer needs to include:
- reasons why each model has limitations, eg:
- the ball and stick model does not show the scale, the movement of electrons or the forces of attraction between ions
- the dot and cross model does not show the 3D arrangement of the ionic lattice
- reasons why each model could be best depending on your purpose
- all of your reasons must be relevant, presented in a clear and logical way and supported by evidence
[6]
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Explain how Mendeleev's periodic table became accepted by the scientific community. [6 marks]
To get the top marks your answer needs to include a description of the sequence of events in detail, and should link them with the increase in confidence of other scientists in Mendeleev's periodic table:
- Mendeleev left gaps in his periodic table for undiscovered elements (gallium, germanium and scandium)
- he predicted their properties based upon the neighbouring elements
- when the elements were eventually discovered their properties matched Mendeleev's predictions
- this increased confidence in his periodic table
- Mendeleev sequenced his periodic table in order of relative atomic mass - in order to keep elements in groups with similar properties he had to swap some elements (iodine and tellurium)
- later, when atomic number was used to sequence the elements these elements were in the correct order
- this further convinced scientists to trust Mendeleev's periodic table
[6]
