Command Word Taxonomy - GCSE Biology
Command Word Taxonomy
The table below outlines the primary action verbs utilized in examinations and outlines the level of response required for each command word.
Command Words and Definitions
| Command word | Definition |
|---|---|
| Add / Label | Insert designations or annotations onto the provided source material, such as naming parts of an anatomical structure or appending appropriate measurement units to a table. |
| Calculate | Produce a specific numeric result, ensuring that you document all intermediary steps and workings. |
| Comment on | Integrate several factors or observations from the given biological dataset to construct a reasoned conclusion. |
| Complete | Fill in the missing sections or data points within a given diagram or data matrix. |
| Deduce | Formulate logical inferences or conclusions utilizing the facts and context presented. |
| Describe | Outline the key characteristics or processes of a concept. Answers should flow logically and be detailed, though they do not require causal justifications or scientific rationale. |
| Determine | Derive a precise quantitative value using information from the question, or clearly lay out the mathematical path to that numerical value. |
| Design | Formulate a step-by-step practical protocol or experiment based on established biological concepts. |
| Discuss | • Identify and define the central debate, scenario, or scientific issue in the question. • Examine the topic from multiple angles or viewpoints. • Carry out a thorough exploration of the situation using logical arguments. |
| Draw | Construct a visual representation, schematic, or plot, either by freehand sketching or using drawing tools. |
| Estimate | Formulate a reasonable approximation of a value or quantity from general trends in a chart or a simple calculation. |
| Evaluate | Assess the validity, strengths, and limitations of experimental techniques or datasets. Draw these elements together to present a balanced argument and a well-supported final conclusion in context. |
| Explain | Clarify a concept or occurrence by providing biological reasoning or scientific justification. Your response must include why or how a phenomenon occurs, which can be supported mathematically. |
| Give / State / Name | Recall and present a brief, direct factual statement, name, or term without detailed description or justification. |
| Give a reason / reasons | Provide the causal explanation or scientific justification for a specific assertion or observation. |
| Identify | Locate and point out specific features, data entries, or elements from the provided resource. |
| Justify | Provide supporting arguments, data, or experimental evidence to validate a claim or previous calculation. |
| Plot | Construct a graphical representation by mapping data coordinates precisely onto a grid, labeling the axes with proper scales, and drawing a line of best fit. |
| Predict | State what you anticipate will happen or what value will occur based on known scientific principles or trends. |
| Show that | Provide a step-by-step mathematical or logical demonstration to prove a given assertion is correct. |
| Sketch | Create a rapid, freehand representation. For graphs, show the general shape and label the axes clearly without plotting individual points to scale. |
| State what is meant by | Provide a clear definition of a term, noting that different phrasing options are acceptable as long as the core meaning is preserved. |
| Suggest | Apply known biological theories to propose a realistic solution or hypothesis for an unfamiliar scenario. |
| Analyse the data/graph to explain | Examine the provided graph or dataset closely to explain the underlying trends and scientific concepts. |
| What, Why, Which | Core interrogative terms used to choose correct responses in multiple-choice formats. |