How to write each question depending on the command word and the marks
Suggest why…
➔ Do not give specific examples
➔ Present a possible but logical case
➔ One part should be your point other part should be the reasons why you think that
➔ If question is worth 2 marks only suggest one reason (unless stated otherwise) if question is
worth 4 marks say a maximum a of three reasons (unless stated otherwise)
➔ Do not spend too long on these types of questions (max 5 minutes)
Explain why/how…
➔ Set out purposes or reasons
➔ Give specific examples for each reason
➔ One part should be the reason the other part should be specific examples to back it up
➔ If question is worth 4 marks say two reasons (or just say all of the ones you can think of if
you have time)
Describe…
➔ Set out characteristics
➔ Not required to give specific examples (unless stated otherwise)
➔ If the question is worth 2 marks only state one characteristic
➔ One part should be the characteristic the other part should be the reason why that
characteristic exists
➔ If the question is worth 4 marks then state at least two characteristics
Using figure x
➔ The question will either need you to use figure x to support your point in addition to your
own knowledge or create a point based off of figure x
➔ Marks for these types of questions vary:
● 2 markers- use figure x as evidence for your point
● 4 markers- use figure x as evidence to support your two points
● 6/9 markers- use figure x as evidence and/or use figure x as your point
alongside other points from your own knowledge
Outline…
➔ Set out main characteristics
➔ It is not usually required to give specific examples but do so just incase
➔ If question is worth 2 marks then suggest at least two characteristics
➔ If question is worth 4 marks then suggest at least four characteristics
➔ Justify all of the characteristics you state
Suggest why…
➔ Do not give specific examples
➔ Present a possible but logical case
➔ One part should be your point other part should be the reasons why you think that
➔ If question is worth 2 marks only suggest one reason (unless stated otherwise) if question is
worth 4 marks say a maximum a of three reasons (unless stated otherwise)
➔ Do not spend too long on these types of questions (max 5 minutes)
Explain why/how…
➔ Set out purposes or reasons
➔ Give specific examples for each reason
➔ One part should be the reason the other part should be specific examples to back it up
➔ If question is worth 4 marks say two reasons (or just say all of the ones you can think of if
you have time)
Describe…
➔ Set out characteristics
➔ Not required to give specific examples (unless stated otherwise)
➔ If the question is worth 2 marks only state one characteristic
➔ One part should be the characteristic the other part should be the reason why that
characteristic exists
➔ If the question is worth 4 marks then state at least two characteristics
Using figure x
➔ The question will either need you to use figure x to support your point in addition to your
own knowledge or create a point based off of figure x
➔ Marks for these types of questions vary:
● 2 markers- use figure x as evidence for your point
● 4 markers- use figure x as evidence to support your two points
● 6/9 markers- use figure x as evidence and/or use figure x as your point
alongside other points from your own knowledge
Outline…
➔ Set out main characteristics
➔ It is not usually required to give specific examples but do so just incase
➔ If question is worth 2 marks then suggest at least two characteristics
➔ If question is worth 4 marks then suggest at least four characteristics
➔ Justify all of the characteristics you state
