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 decreased 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
The rock pocket mouse is a small grey-coloured mouse that lives in Mexico. These mice are the main food for owls. Rattlesnakes also feed on these mice. The mice get most of their food from grass plants.
Complete the following sentences about this food web. [2 marks]
- The grass plants are producers in this food web.
- Mice are primary ................ in this food web.
- The group of mice living in this habitat is called a population
- All the organisms living in this habitat are called the ................
OCR Gateway, GCE Biology, Paper J247, 2016.
Mice are primary consumers in this food web.
All the organisms living in this habitat are called the community.
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Compost decomposes more slowly above 60°C or below 30°C.
Use ideas about enzymes and decomposition to explain why this is. [2 marks]
OCR Gateway, GCE Biology, Paper J247, 2016.
- Above 60°C the enzymes in the decomposers have denatured.
- Below 30°C the enzymes in the decomposers work too slowly.
Make sure you answer all parts of the question. You need to write about the decomposition of enzymes at both temperatures.
Sample question 3 - Foundation
Question
Some students find a diagram of a lichen.
Using the information from the diagram suggest what the algae and fungi each gain from their relationship. [2 marks]
OCR Gateway, GCE Biology, Paper J247, 2016.
Algae gain protection
Fungi gain sugars
You must give one benefit for each organism.
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
Some students measured the temperature inside a compost heap. They also measured the external temperature.
On five occasions they mixed up the compost heap with garden forks.
The graph shows their results.
The compost took 63 days to completely decompose. Explain how the students could tell this from their graph. [1 mark]
OCR Gateway, GCE Biology, Paper J247, 2016.
The temperature of the heap was the same as the external temperature.
Make sure you look at the graph to help you answer the question.
Sample question 5 - Higher
Question
The rock pocket mouse is a small grey-coloured mouse that lives in Mexico. These mice are the main food for owls. Rattlesnakes also feed on these mice. The mice get most of their food from grass plants and grass seeds.
Draw a labelled pyramid of biomass for these feeding relationships. [2 marks]
OCR Gateway, GCE Biology, Paper J247, 2016.
Correct tapering pyramid shape.
Grass/grass seeds at bottom, mice next and owls and rattlesnakes at the top.
Your pyramid should look like this:
This question asks you to label the pyramid of biomass.
Sample question 6 - Higher
Question
Even though a cow ate 10 kilograms of grass, the cow's biomass only increased by 1 kilogram. Explain why. [4 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.
Biomass is lost:
- by respiration
- by egestion of faeces
- by excretion of waste such as urine
Explain means give reasons so you must give reasons why the biomass decreases.
