One to two mark questions
One to two mark questions will start with command words such as ‘Describe...’ or ‘Explain...’. Some command words are easy to understand such as:
- 'Calculate...' or 'Determine...' for maths questions
- 'Complete...' to fill in a gap in a table or graph
- 'Define...' to give the meaning of an important word
- 'Suggest...' where you use your knowledge in an unfamiliar situation
The command words 'Describe...' and 'Explain...' can be confusing. If you are asked to describe a graph, you will be expected to write about its overall shape, whether it is linear or curved, the slope of gradients etc. If you are asked to explain why a pattern or trend is seen in a graph, you will be expected to use your science knowledge, not just say what you see (which is a description), eg The graph shows a steep linear increase for the first three hours because...
Explain how and why questions often have the word 'because' in their answer. Describe questions don't.
The number of marks per question part is given in this form [2 marks]. It is essential that you give two different answers if a question is worth two marks. Sometimes you can gain a second mark by giving the units in a calculation or stating specific data points, eg During the first two years the number of lions decreased by seven.
You will be expected to write in more depth for three and four mark questions. They might ask you about a process such as the carbon cycle or the method you would use in an experiment.
This page contains AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
The grid shows the inheritance of X and Y chromosomes.
Draw a tick on the part of the diagram that shows a sperm cell. [1 mark]
On the diagram, a tick drawn next to X and / or Y from Parent 1. [1 mark]
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
In the 1800s, Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands. On the islands he found many different species of bird called finches. Darwin thought that all the different finch species had evolved from one species of finch that had reached the islands many years before.
Complete the following sentence. [1 mark]
Darwin suggested the theory of evolution by natural _____________ .
Tip - What key terms are associated with Darwin?
Selection. [1 mark]
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Using the tree below, which primate evolved first? [1 mark]
Tip - The tree shows an evolutionary relationship between the organisms contained. Consider the roots being at the start moving up towards the leaves.
Lemur [1 mark]
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
DNA fingerprinting can be used to identify people. One example of the use of DNA fingerprinting is to find out which man is the father of a child. The diagram shows the DNA fingerprints of a child, the child’s mother and two men who claim to be the child’s father. The numbers refer to the bars on the DNA fingerprints.
Only half the bars of the child's DNA fingerprint match the mother's DNA fingerprint. Explain why. [2 marks]
Tip - key point here is 'half the bars' of the child match the mother. Think - which process produces offspring? What happened to the DNA?
Eggs are produced by meiosis. [1 mark]
Therefore, they only contain half of the mother's DNA. [1 mark]