Each exam question will have a command word in it. This is the word that will tell you how to answer the question. Make sure that you put a box around the command words (especially in 6 and 9 mark questions) so that you have the best change of getting the maximum amount of words available.
Command word |
What it means |
Example |
Response guidance |
Assess |
Make an informed judgement |
Assess how effective your data presentation technique(s) were in representing the data collected in this enquiry. |
Be critical. What were the positive and negative features of your choice |
Calculate |
Work out the value of something |
Using Figure 7, calculate the mean of retail sales of Fairtrade bananas between 2000 and 2012 |
You can use your calculator in the exam so don't forget it! |
Compare |
Identify similarity and difference |
Using Figure 4, compare HDI values in Africa and South America. |
Look for trends and patterns. Make sure you quote specific values/places in your response |
Complete |
Finish the task by adding given information |
A fill in the blanks using figure 6: The greatest number of category four tropical storms happen in the ……………………. Ocean. Apart from very strong winds, one other associated weather feature of a category four storm is………………………….. |
Use the supporting figure or key word/values list given |
Describe |
Set out characteristics |
Using Figure 9, describe the distribution of areas with existing licenses for fracking in the UK |
1. Highest 2. Lowest 3. Overall pattern You can also mention •Example (quote from the source) •Anomaly •Range |
Discuss |
Present key points about different ideas or strengths and weaknesses about a given idea |
Discuss the effects of urban sprawl on people and the environment. Use Figure 3 and a case study of a major city in the UK |
The social effects on people can be both negative and positive. For example………… |
Evaluate |
Judge from available evidence |
Evaluate the effectiveness of an urban transport scheme(s) you have studied |
An example of a transport scheme I have studied is the Nottingham Integrated Transport Scheme. This was effective because ...This was ineffective because... |
Explain |
Set out reasons or purposes |
Using Figure 12 and your own knowledge, explain how different landforms may be created by the transport and deposition of sediment along the coast |
Identify what you are explaining. Use connectives to develop your explanation |
Give |
Produce an answer from memory |
Give one condition that is needed for a tropical storm to form. |
State your answer concisely as this will usually be only 1 or 2 marks |
Identify |
Name or characterise |
Identify the river landform at grid reference 653532 |
State your answer concisely as this will usually be only 1 or 2 marks |
Justify |
Support a case with evidence |
'Transnational corporations (TNCs) only bring advantages to the host country.' Do you agree with this statement? Justify your decision. |
Use a case study Use specific facts and figures from your revision that are relevant to the point you are making Don't just 'tell the story' of the case study - make your points answer the question |
Outline |
Set out main characteristics |
Outline one way that aid helps to deal with the problems of uneven development. |
Use specific knowledge from your revision |
State |
Express in clear terms |
State one characteristic of the course of the River Ouse in grid square 5754 |
Use key words and keep your answer concise |
Suggest |
Present a possible case |
Suggest how the sea defences shown in Figure 11 help to protect the coastline. |
Use any clues in associated figures. Your answer needs to be geographically correct to present a possible explanation |