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Grouped from the shortest answers to the longest. The further down the list, the more marks the question is usually worth.
Group 1 of 5
Recall and name
Short answers. You either know it or you don’t, and extra explanation earns nothing.
Define
Give the precise meaning of a word or phrase.
What earns the marks: One or two sentences using the subject’s own vocabulary. Learn key definitions word-perfect: vague wording loses the mark.
Example: Define opportunity cost.
Practice a “define” question with ThothState
Give a short answer: a name, a value or a fact.
What earns the marks: A word, a number or one sentence. No reasons needed.
Example: State the charge on an electron.
Practice a “state” question with ThothList
Give a series of short answers, one after another.
What earns the marks: One point per line. Give exactly as many as asked: extras won’t score and a wrong extra can cancel a right one.
Example: List three causes of soil erosion.
Practice a “list” question with ThothIdentify
Pick out the answer from options, a source or what you know.
What earns the marks: Name it clearly. If it comes from a source, point to where you found it.
Example: Identify the independent variable in this experiment.
Practice a “identify” question with ThothLabel
Add names to the parts of a diagram or graph.
What earns the marks: A ruled line from each label to the exact part, with technical words spelled correctly.
Example: Label the four chambers of the heart.
Practice a “label” question with ThothMeasure
Find a value with an instrument or from a diagram.
What earns the marks: The value with its unit, to a sensible precision.
Example: Measure the angle of incidence on the diagram.
Practice a “measure” question with ThothDraw
Make an accurate diagram or graph, with a ruler where it needs one.
What earns the marks: Accurate proportions, labelled axes with units and, for a graph, a sensible scale.
Example: Draw a ray diagram for a convex lens.
Practice a “draw” question with ThothWrite down
Give the answer straight away, with little or no working.
What earns the marks: Usually one line. If it needs several steps, re-read the question: you may have missed a shortcut.
Example: Write down the gradient of y = 3x + 2.
Practice a “write down” question with ThothFind
Get the answer, working it out if needed.
What earns the marks: Show the steps that got you there. A right answer with no working can lose marks.
Example: Find the value of x in the triangle.
Practice a “find” question with Thoth
Group 2 of 5
Describe and show
Say what something is like or what happens, in words or in a diagram. You don’t need to say why.
Outline
Give a brief account of the main points.
What earns the marks: The key points in order, kept short. Less detail than “describe”.
Example: Outline the stages of mitosis.
Practice a “outline” question with ThothDescribe
Give a detailed account of what something is like or what happens.
What earns the marks: What, where, when and how much, quoting data where you have it. You don’t need to say why.
Example: Describe the trend shown in the graph.
Practice a “describe” question with ThothSummarize
Give the main points of an idea, argument or text in brief.
What earns the marks: Short and in your own words, covering every key point without examples.
Example: Summarize the author’s argument in the second paragraph.
Practice a “summarize” question with ThothAnnotate
Add brief notes to a diagram, graph or text.
What earns the marks: Notes that explain, not just name: “aorta: carries oxygenated blood to the body”, not just “aorta”.
Example: Annotate the climate graph to show the wet season.
Practice a “annotate” question with ThothSketch
Draw a rough diagram or graph that shows the key features.
What earns the marks: The right shape, labelled axes and the key points (intercepts, turning points). Grid accuracy isn’t needed.
Example: Sketch the graph of y = x² − 4.
Practice a “sketch” question with ThothPlot
Mark points accurately on a graph from data or a formula.
What earns the marks: Each point exactly placed with a small cross, axes labelled. Only draw a line or curve if asked.
Example: Plot the results from the table on the grid.
Practice a “plot” question with ThothConstruct
Present information in a set form, such as a table, chart or argument.
What earns the marks: The right format for the information, complete and clearly laid out.
Example: Construct a table to record your results.
Practice a “construct” question with Thoth
Group 3 of 5
Work it out
Calculations and reasoning to a result. The marks are mostly in the working, so show it.
Calculate
Work out a numerical answer, showing the working.
What earns the marks: Formula, substitution, answer, unit. Round sensibly and only at the end.
Example: Calculate the speed of the car in m/s.
Practice a “calculate” question with ThothDetermine
Reach the only possible answer.
What earns the marks: One definite answer, with the working or reasoning that pins it down.
Example: Determine the empirical formula of the compound.
Practice a “determine” question with ThothEstimate
Get an approximate value.
What earns the marks: Round sensibly, show how you got there and make clear it’s approximate.
Example: Estimate the area under the curve between x = 0 and x = 4.
Practice a “estimate” question with ThothSolve
Find the answer, usually with algebra or a set method.
What earns the marks: Every step in order, then check the answer fits the original.
Example: Solve 2x² − 5x − 3 = 0.
Practice a “solve” question with ThothDerive
Build an equation or formula step by step from ones you know.
What earns the marks: Start from accepted laws, show each step and finish on the target expression.
Example: Derive an expression for the period of a simple pendulum.
Practice a “derive” question with ThothDeduce
Reach a conclusion from the information given.
What earns the marks: Your conclusion, plus the pieces of information that lead to it.
Example: Deduce the identity of gas X from the test results.
Practice a “deduce” question with ThothPredict
Say what you expect to happen, from evidence or a pattern.
What earns the marks: A clear outcome and a short reason linked to the data or the theory.
Example: Predict the effect of raising the temperature on the rate of reaction.
Practice a “predict” question with ThothProve
Show with a formal argument that something is always true.
What earns the marks: Start from definitions or known facts, justify every step and end on the statement.
Example: Prove that the sum of two odd numbers is always even.
Practice a “prove” question with ThothShow that
Give the steps that lead to a result you’ve been given.
What earns the marks: Every step written out. The answer is already on the page, so all the marks are in the working.
Example: Show that the triangle is right-angled.
Practice a “show that” question with ThothHence
Use the answer you just found to do the next part.
What earns the marks: Build on the previous result. Using a different method may score nothing.
Example: Hence, find the minimum value of f(x).
Practice a “hence” question with ThothVerify
Check that a given result is correct.
What earns the marks: Substitute or test, show what you get and say that it confirms the result.
Example: Verify that x = 2 is a solution of the equation.
Practice a “verify” question with Thoth
Group 4 of 5
Explain and analyse
Reasons, causes and connections. This is where most of the marks in longer questions live.
Explain
Give reasons or causes: why or how something happens.
What earns the marks: A point linked to its reason with “because” or “so”. Each clear link is often worth a mark.
Example: Explain why ice floats on water.
Practice a “explain” question with ThothAnalyse
Break something into parts to show how they work or relate.
What earns the marks: Pick out the key parts, then show how they connect, cause or affect each other.
Example: Analyse the causes of the 2008 financial crisis.
Practice a “analyse” question with ThothApply
Use an idea, rule or theory in a new situation.
What earns the marks: Name the idea, then show exactly how it fits this particular case.
Example: Apply the law of demand to explain the rise in ticket prices.
Practice a “apply” question with ThothCompare
Point out similarities. Many boards also expect differences, so check yours.
What earns the marks: Mention both things in every point, with words like “both”, “similarly” and “whereas”.
Example: Compare the structure of plant and animal cells.
Practice a “compare” question with ThothContrast
Point out the differences.
What earns the marks: Each point names both things: “A is…, whereas B is…”.
Example: Contrast aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
Practice a “contrast” question with ThothCompare and contrast
Give both the similarities and the differences.
What earns the marks: A balanced answer covering both, with each point referring to both things.
Example: Compare and contrast the French and Russian revolutions.
Practice a “compare and contrast” question with ThothDistinguish
Make the differences between two or more things clear.
What earns the marks: One clear difference per point, naming both things each time.
Example: Distinguish between weather and climate.
Practice a “distinguish” question with ThothInterpret
Explain what data, a source or a result means.
What earns the marks: Say what it shows and what that means, quoting numbers or words from it.
Example: Interpret the results of the class survey.
Practice a “interpret” question with ThothSuggest
Put forward a sensible answer where more than one could be right.
What earns the marks: A reasonable idea with a short reason. You aren’t expected to have learned the exact answer.
Example: Suggest why the yield was lower than expected.
Practice a “suggest” question with ThothExamine
Look closely at an argument or idea, showing what it assumes and how its parts link.
What earns the marks: Go beyond describing: question it and show what it depends on.
Example: Examine the role of the media in the election campaign.
Practice a “examine” question with ThothExplore
Look into an idea openly, from different angles.
What earns the marks: Several viewpoints or possibilities, each with evidence.
Example: Explore how the poet presents memory.
Practice a “explore” question with ThothInvestigate
Look into something carefully to find facts and reach a conclusion.
What earns the marks: A method, the evidence it gives and what that evidence shows.
Example: Investigate how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis.
Practice a “investigate” question with ThothDemonstrate
Make something clear with reasoning or evidence.
What earns the marks: Examples or evidence that actually prove the point, not just repeat it.
Example: Demonstrate that the function is increasing for x > 0.
Practice a “demonstrate” question with ThothDesign
Produce a plan, method, experiment or product.
What earns the marks: Enough detail for someone else to follow it: variables, steps, equipment and safety.
Example: Design an experiment to test how pH affects enzyme activity.
Practice a “design” question with ThothFormulate
Put a question, hypothesis or argument into precise words.
What earns the marks: One clear, testable statement, or a tightly worded argument.
Example: Formulate a hypothesis for this investigation.
Practice a “formulate” question with Thoth
Group 5 of 5
Judge and argue
The top of the ladder: weigh up both sides, then commit to a supported conclusion.
Evaluate
Make a judgement by weighing strengths against limitations.
What earns the marks: Both sides with evidence, then a clear verdict on which matters more and why. No verdict caps your mark.
Example: Evaluate the effectiveness of carbon taxes.
Practice a “evaluate” question with ThothDiscuss
Give a balanced review of a range of arguments or factors.
What earns the marks: Several points of view, each with evidence, ending in a conclusion. Opinion on its own scores little.
Example: Discuss the impact of social media on democracy.
Practice a “discuss” question with ThothJustify
Give valid reasons or evidence for an answer or decision.
What earns the marks: State your position, back it with evidence and deal with the obvious objection.
Example: Justify your choice of sampling method.
Practice a “justify” question with ThothTo what extent
Weigh how far something is true, and say how far you agree.
What earns the marks: Arguments for and against, then a clear verdict (entirely, largely, partly or hardly) and why.
Example: To what extent was the treaty responsible for the war?
Practice a “to what extent” question with ThothAssess
Weigh up how important or effective something is, then judge it.
What earns the marks: Strengths and weaknesses, then a supported judgement.
Example: Assess the importance of tourism to the local economy.
Practice a “assess” question with ThothComment
Give a judgement on a statement or result.
What earns the marks: Say what you think of it and why, using the evidence in front of you.
Example: Comment on the reliability of these results.
Practice a “comment” question with Thoth
In the exam
Four habits that protect your marks
- Underline the command term first, then the topic. The word tells you the shape of the answer before you’ve thought about the content.
- Match the length to the marks. A one-mark “state” needs one line; an eight-mark “discuss” needs both sides and a conclusion.
- In judging questions, always finish with a verdict. Two balanced sides with no conclusion is the most common way to lose the top band.
- Check your board’s own list. These explanations are a guide; the wording in your subject guide or syllabus is what your marks are based on.
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Questions
Common questions
Are these the official IB definitions?
No. They’re our own plain-English explanations, written to help you answer well. The IB and each exam board publish their official wording in your subject guide or syllabus, and that’s what your marks are based on. Where your board uses a word differently, follow your board.
Do the IB, Cambridge and A-level boards use the same command terms?
Mostly the same words, but not always the same meanings. “Compare” is the classic case: some boards want only similarities, others want similarities and differences. The full list for your course is in the back of your syllabus or subject guide.
Why do command terms matter so much?
Because the mark scheme is built around them. Describing when the question says explain, or giving no verdict when it says evaluate, caps your mark however much you know. Underline the command term before you write a word.
Which command terms are worth the most marks?
Usually the judging words at the end of this list: evaluate, discuss, to what extent, justify and assess. They come in longer questions and essays, where you need both sides and a clear conclusion.
Can I practice answering command-term questions?
Yes. Every term on this page has a link that opens Thoth, the AI tutor in xedu, with a question that uses that word. Write your answer and Thoth marks it and shows you how to improve it. It’s free to start.
Practice the hard ones with Thoth
Pick a command term, get a question, write your answer and have it marked in seconds.
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