TIPS FOR ANSWERING LONGER ANSWER QUESTIONS Which command word is used? These tell you what to do. Explain, Describe, Discuss, Compare Check you know what they all mean. Underline or circle key words Explain why the amount of fertiliser used is increasing, and describe the damage that fertilisers can cause to life in rivers and lakes. What key words might be needed to answer the question? Write them down. Make sure you know what they mean. Organise them, either in groups, or in an order. How many marks is it worth? Have you written enough?

More KEY WORDS! Check your answer... Level marks 1.Have you used any of the key words? 2.Have you made some key points? Level 0 0 marks No Yes 1.Have you used lots of the key words? 2.Have you fully described any of the key points? 3.Is there a logical order? Level marks No Yes 1.Have you used all the key words correctly? 2.Have you justified your conclusion using correct science? 3.Is your spelling faultless and your report logical? Level marks No Yes More KEY WORDS? Check the ORDER? Think more SCIENCE! More DETAIL! Check your SPELLING!

Command Words Calculate – work out a number. Use a calculator, show your working. Compare – write about ways in which two things are the same, and how they are different. Describe – write a detailed answer that covers what happens, when it happens and where it happens. Your answer must include facts or characteristics. Discuss – write about the issues linked to a topic. You many need to give arguments for and against something, or show differences between ideas, opinions and facts. Estimate – suggest a rough value without doing a calculation. BE CAREFUL – Calculate a best estimate = calculate an average include your calculations Explain – write a detailed answer that says how and why things happen. Evaluate – use the provided facts, data or information. Write about these and give your own opinion/conclusion. Justify – give some evidence or an explanation to support why you gave that answer. Outline – give the key facts, such as in a process give the steps in a correct order. Predict – look at data and suggest a value or result. Use patterns and trends to support your answer. Show – give each step you took in a calculation, write it down clearly. Suggest – use your science knowledge in a new situation to come up with a reasonable answer.

Level 3 - 5to 6 marks Level 2 – 3 to 4 marks Level 1 – 1 to 2 marks Question: 6 marks Key words Hints _____________________________________________ QWC - Bubbles Complex answer Extensive key words Logical order Excellent spelling, punctuation and grammar Detailed answer Many key words Clear order Good spelling, punctuation and grammar Simple answer Few key words No order Poor spelling, punctuation and grammar