Aiming High in A level Biology How to Answer 5 Exam Questions
Command Words in A-Level Biology Questions
For A-Level Biology exam questions, consider the following terms in your answer: definitions, keywords and roles. It is important to include any details or words relevant to the question. This is especially true for big mark questions, with more marks to gain it is highly likely that some of those will be for definitions and key terminology. Many exam questions will be short-answer questions worth 1–3 marks or long-answer questions with 4-6 marks.
They may start with the following words:
Give, Identify, Label, Name, State
A student is investigating the effect of temperature on the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction. Give two variables that the student should control (2)
The command word here is ’give’ and a suitable response would be:
- pH
- Substrate Concentration
Sentence Command Words
Some exam questions require you to write in sentences, including those that start with the command words:
Compare, Contrast, Define, Describe, Evaluate, Explain, Suggest
These questions require you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the subject.
Describe how you could show that a sample of cheese contains lipid (2)
The command word here is ‘describe’ and a suitable response would be:
- Crush the cheese and shake it with ethanol, then add water.
- A white emulsion will appear if lipid is present.
Handy Hint: .
You are expected to use scientific terminology correctly, and you should learn the spellings and definitions of key terms. For example, ‘meitosis’ would not be accepted because it is an amalgamation of meiosis and mitosis. students often misspell
protein as ‘protien’
