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
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 reflex arc or the method you would use in an experiment.
This page contains AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Receptors in a boy's body detects changes in the environment. Complete the table to show which organ of the body contains the receptors for each change in the environment. [3 marks]
| Change in the environment | Organ that contains the receptors |
| Sound of traffic from behind him | |
| Flashing blue lights of a police car | |
| Cooler air temperature in the shadows |
| Change in the environment | Sound of traffic from behind him |
|---|---|
| Organ that contains the receptors |
| Change in the environment | Flashing blue lights of a police car |
|---|---|
| Organ that contains the receptors |
| Change in the environment | Cooler air temperature in the shadows |
|---|---|
| Organ that contains the receptors |
| Change in the environment | Organ that contains the receptors |
| Sound of traffic from behind him | Ear(s) |
| Flashing blue lights of a police car | Eye(s) accept retina |
| Cooler air temperature in the shadows | Skin |
| Change in the environment | Sound of traffic from behind him |
|---|---|
| Organ that contains the receptors | Ear(s) |
| Change in the environment | Flashing blue lights of a police car |
|---|---|
| Organ that contains the receptors | Eye(s) accept retina |
| Change in the environment | Cooler air temperature in the shadows |
|---|---|
| Organ that contains the receptors | Skin |
Sample question 2 - Foundation
The photograph shows a baby.
Answer each question by selecting one letter, A, B, C, D or E, for each response.
Question
Which sense organ has receptors sensitive to light? [1 mark]
| Choice | |
| A | |
| B | |
| C | |
| D | |
| E |
| A | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| B | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| C | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| D | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| E | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| Choice | |
| A | ✔ |
| B | |
| C | |
| D | |
| E |
| A | |
|---|---|
| Choice | ✔ |
| B | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| C | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| D | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| E | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
Question
Which two sense organs have receptors sensitive to chemicals? [2 marks]
| Choice | |
| A | |
| B | |
| C | |
| D | |
| E |
| A | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| B | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| C | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| D | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| E | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| Choice | |
| A | |
| B | |
| C | ✔ |
| D | ✔ |
| E |
| A | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| B | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| C | |
|---|---|
| Choice | ✔ |
| D | |
|---|---|
| Choice | ✔ |
| E | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
Question
Which sense organ has receptors sensitive to changes in the baby's position? [1 mark]
| Choice | |
| A | |
| B | |
| C | |
| D | |
| E |
| A | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| B | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| C | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| D | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| E | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| Choice | |
| A | |
| B | |
| C | |
| D | |
| E | ✔ |
| A | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| B | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| C | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| D | |
|---|---|
| Choice | |
| E | |
|---|---|
| Choice | ✔ |
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Humans maintain an almost constant body temperature.
Describe the role of blood vessels in the control of body temperature [4 marks]
- if body temperature becomes too high, then blood vessels supplying the skin will dilate or widen [1]
- Do not accept capillaries / veins dilate or constrict (narrow)
- if the body temperature is too low, then blood vessels supplying the skin will constrict or narrow [1]
- Do not accept the idea of blood vessels moving through skin and ignore any reference to blood vessels expanding
- so more or less blood flows through the blood vessels supplying the skin or nearer to the surface of the skin [1]
- response must correctly relate to dilation (widening) or constriction (narrowing)
- this results in more heat being lost by radiation if the blood vessels widen, as the body is trying to cool down, or less heat is being lost from the skin by radiation when blood vessels narrow, as the body is trying to warm up [1]
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
An athlete can run a marathon in 2 hours 15 minutes on a dry day in outside temperatures up to 35°C. If the air is dry, their body will not overheat. However, in humid conditions, if the outside temperature goes over 18°C then their body will overheat.
Suggest an explanation for the athlete overheating in humid conditions. [3 marks]
Tip - focus on the different conditions, dry day or humid.
- during the marathon, sweat is released as the athlete begins to get hot [1]
- the sweat cannot evaporate from the surface of the skin because of high humidity or the water vapour contained in the air [1]
- this results in less heat being lost or less of a cooling effect because it is the evaporation of sweat from the skin that cools the body down [1]
