One and two mark questions
One to two 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 'The speed of the object decreased by 8m/s.'
This page contains AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
Learn about command words with Dr Alex Lathbridge
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
Understanding the different command words in your science GCSE exams.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
The first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth was launched into space in 1957.
Describe the orbit of an artificial satellite. [1 mark]
Circular [1 mark]
Satellites may orbit in polar or geostationary orbits. Although their altitude and time periods differ, both orbits are circular. Comets have highly elliptical orbits.
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
All stars go through a lifecycle.
The star Mira will go through a supernova stage in its lifecycle but the Sun will not.
How is the star Mira different to the Sun? [1 mark]
Mira is much bigger than the Sun. [1 mark]
Only very massive stars will go through a supernova stage, causing the outer layer to explode away and the core to collapse in on itself, becoming very dense.
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
The figure below shows what scientists over 1,000 years ago thought the Solar System was like.
Give one way that the historical model of the Solar System shown in the figure above is different from, and one way that it is similar to, what we now know about the Solar System.[2 marks]
- difference - shows the Sun orbiting the Earth[1 mark]
- similarity - shows the Moon in orbit around the Earth[1 mark]
This historical model is described as geocentric (Earth at the centre). We now describe the Solar System as being heliocentric (Sun at the centre).
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
Observation of the spectra from distant galaxies provides evidence to support the ‘Big Bang’ theory.
Complete the following sentence. [1 mark]
Many scientists think that the ‘Big Bang’ theory describes the ______.
origins of the Universe [1 mark]
The ‘Big Bang’ theory is not the only idea to describe the possible origin of the Universe but it is one of the most popular and widely accepted as there is a lot of evidence to suggest it. There is, however, no definitive proof that it is what actually happened.
