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.
These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
State what carcinogens cause? [1 mark]
Cancer
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Explain why Mendel's work was not recognised when he first published.[2 marks]
Two from:
- when he presented his work to other scientists he did not communicate it well so they did not really understand it
- it was published in a scientific journal that was not well known so not many people read it
- he could not explain the science behind why characteristics were inherited
Sample question 3 - Foundation
Question
Describe the difference between genotypes and phenotypes? Give an example of each in your answer. [4 marks]
- genotypes are letters used to determine characteristics
- BB, Bb, bb for eye colour (accept other suitable examples)
- phenotypes are physical descriptions using words that describe genotypes
- so BB and Bb are brown eyes and bb is blue eyes (accept other suitable examples)
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
State what gamma rays, X-rays and ultraviolet rays are? [1 mark]
Types of ionising radiation
Sample question 5 - Higher
Question
Explain what was interesting about the results of Mendel's famous second cross between red pea plants from the initial first cross of red and white pea plants? Include the percentages of the colours in your answer. [4 marks]
- 25% of the plants were white
- 75% were red
- this proved red is dominant over white
- it also proves that heterozygous red plants have the allele for white within them [1 mark] even though it is not expressed [1 mark].
Sample question 6 - Higher
Question
Explain how inheritance of biological sex occurs in humans. [4 marks]
- all ova are X
- half of sperm are X [1 mark] and half are Y [1 mark]
- a baby with genotype XX is female
- a baby with genotype XY is male
