Interpreting a Question

Command words:   When examiners set questions, they tend to use command words to tell you what they want you to do. The command words used in OCR examinations include:

Describe: Give an account or description of something in words without any interpretation or explanation: Use a practical example to describe how angular motion is produced.

Explain: Give reasons for and show your understanding of the subject: Using an example from an invasion game, explain why fast reaction time is important.

Give reasons for: Show your understanding of and explain: Give reasons for physical activity ( physical education, physical recreation and sport ) being of such high status in Australia.

Outline: Give a brief description of the main features/give a summary of the main points: Outline contemporary initiatives that impact upon young people’s participation in physical activity.

Identify: Give the names of / write what it is: Identify ways in which a warm up can help improve the strength of contraction during exercise.

Define: Give a precise meaning of the term, explain the meaning of… Define stroke volume and give a maximal value for an aerobic athlete

Illustrate: explain with examples – you do not have to draw! What factors could affect response time in physical activities. Illustrate your answer with a practical example.

Analyse: Split into parts and examine the parts critically Analyse the factors which shaped the development of Australian Rules football.

Examine: Look at/inspect the parts critically Examine the types of guidance used to improve performance.

Compare and contrast: Say what is the same and what is different – use comparative adjectives in your answer e.g. larger, quicker, and brighter: Compare and contrast drive theory, inverted U theory and catastrophe theory as explanations for the relationship between arousal and performance of motor skills.

Discuss: Examine in detail and argue a case for both sides: Discuss both the positive and the negative impact of participating in different types of physical activity on the joints and muscles of the body.

Evaluate: Determine the value of, assess the value of and say why. Evaluate the impact of the media on sport in the United Kingdom.

To what extent: You are being asked to make a judgment on how far you agree with something: To what extent does altitude affect performances in physical activities?

Justify: Give your reasons for your opinion, show why you are right: Place a named skill on the environmental influence continuum and justify your placement.

Comment on: Give a commentary on which includes explaining or giving a critical analysis, making personal observations or illustrating a point of view: Comment on the impact of different types of physical activity on the respiratory system.