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Identify..., What... ?Name.. State...,

Give...

These ask forbrief answers to a simple task, such as: What does it look like? What is it made of? identifying a landform from a photograph giving a named example of a feature

Do not answer using a single word. It is always better to wri

a short sentence.

Define..., Explainthe meaning of...,

What is meant by?Outline...

These words require a relatively short answer, usually two othree sentences, giving the precise meaning of a term. Useof an example is often helpful. The number of marksindicates the length of answer required.

Describe thecharacteristics of...

In the case of a landform, for example, the following sub-questions can be useful in writing the answer:

What does it look like? What is it made of? How big is it? . Where is it in relation to other features?

Describe thechanges in...

This command often relates to a graph or a table. Gooduse of accurate adverbs is required here words such asrapidly, steeply, gently, slightly, greatly.

Describe thedifferencesbetween...

Here only differences between two sets of data will becredited. Rather than writing a paragraph on one data set,followed by a paragraph on the other it is better if eachparagraph identifies one difference between the 2 data sets

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Describe therelationshipbetween...

Here only the links between two sets of data will becredited. It is important, therefore, that you establish therelationship and state the link clearly.

Describe thedistribution of...

This is usually used in conjunction with a map or set ofmaps. You should describe where there are highconcentrations and lower concentrations are. Betteranswers will also tend to identify anomalous areas or areaswhich go against an overall trend in the distribution

Compare...

This requires a point by point account of the similarities andifferences between two sets of information or two areas.Two separate accounts do not make up a comparison. Agood technique is to use comparative adjectives, forexample larger than.

Explain..., Suggestreasons for.. Howmight... ? Why... ?

The command word tests your ability to know or understandwhy or how something happens. Such questions tend tocarry a large number of marks, and expect candidates towrite a relatively long piece ofextended prose. It isimportant that this presents a logical account which is botrelevant and well organised.

Using only anannotated

diagram..., With theaid of a diagram...

Here the candidate must draw a diagram, and in the firstcase provide only a diagram. Annotations are labels whicprovide additional description or explanation of the mainfeatures of the diagram.

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Analyse...

This requires a candidate to break down the content of atopic into its constituent parts, and to give an in-depthaccount. As stated above, such questions tend to carry alarge number of marks, and candidates will be expected towrite a relatively long piece of prose. It is important thatcandidates present a logical account that is both relevanand well-organised.

Discuss.,,

Candidates should present arguments for and against,making good use of evidence and appropriate examples,and express an opinion about the merits of each side. Inother words, they should construct a verbal debate.

Evaluate...,Assess...

This requires an indication of the candidate's viewpoint,having considered all the evidence. The candidate's own

judgement is requested, together with a justification forthat judgement. The use of 'critically' often occurs in suchquestions in this case the candidate should question notonly the evidence itself but also where it came from, andhow it was collected

Justify...

At its most simplistic, a response to this command mustinclude a strong piece ofwriting in favour of the chosenoption(s) in a decision-making exercise, and an explanatioof why the other options were rejected. However, decisiomaking is not straightforward. The key to good decisionmaking is to balance the pros and cons of each optionand to opt for the most appropriate based on theevidence available.