COMMAND
TERMS
,Comm
C mand terms
t s
The following ccommand teerms will be used
u in questions in IB exxams. It is esssential that you understand what is
quired when
req n you encounnter these terms. They arre ordered inn increasing levels
l of difficulty: group
p 1 contains the
t
sim
mplest termss and group 3 the most demanding.
Grroup 1
De
efine Provide the meaning
m he term or phrase as precisely and co
of th oncisely as possible.
Draaw Use
U a pencil to t represent what is requ uested. Alwaays add labels unless direected not to do
so
o.
Lab
bel When
W not useed with the ‘draw’
‘ comm mand term, itt means to afffix labels to a visual
re
epresentatio on.
Lisst Supply a simp ple series of words
w or exp
planations without
w specific details.
Me easure Sttipulate the dimensions called for. Innclude units when
w appropriate.
Staate Provide the reequested infformation wiithout suppo orting calculaations or reasoning.
Grroup 2
An
nnotate Provide shortt critical or exxplanatory comments. Itt is usually ap pplied to a graph or
diagram.
Calculate Produce an answer using mathematiccal methods. It is essentiaal to show alll your working
out unless othherwise stated.
escribe
De Provide all relevant inform mation in furrnishing a jusstification orr explanation
n.
Disstinguish Differentiate
D between tw wo or more diifferent objeects, structurres, or detailss.
Esttimate Using
U informaation provideed or scientific knowledgge, determine an approximate value for
a requested ittem.
Ide
entify When
W provideed with a listt of possible solutions, se
elect the correct or best answer.
Ouutline In
ndicate the principal
p feattures of a req
quested topiic. Be concisee.
Grroup 3
An
nalyse Utilize
U data frrom tables, graphs,
g or scientific studiies to develoop a reasoned d judgementt.
Co
omment Provide an infference base ed on a calcu
ulation or staatement.
Co
ompare Supply inform mation representing how w two items or o conditionss are similar tot one
another. A table format iss acceptable for this.
Co
ompare and ccontrast Supply inform mation representing how w two items area both diffeerent and sim milar to one
another. A table format iss acceptable for this.
Co
onstruct Present inform mation in some diagrammatical form m, often as a graph.
De
educe From data givven, reach a justifiable
j coonclusion.
De
esign Devise
D a proccedure, modeel, simulation, or plan.
De
etermine Use
U information to arrive at a proper decision or answer.
a
Disscuss Present a detailed accoun nt including a range of poossibilities, such as in an argument.
Account
A for the importance of differeent factors orr various hyp potheses sup pporting thesse
possibilities.
Evaaluate Appraise
A the limitations and
a logical reelationships.
© Peaarson Educatio
on Ltd 2013. For
F more information abou
ut the Pearson
n Baccalaureatte series pleasse visit
www.peearsonbacconline.com
, Exp
plain Give
G a clear and detailed accounting of o some subjject, cause, oro mechanism m. Show logiical
developmentts or relationships. Be cerrtain your acccounting is clear
c and understandable.
Pre
edict ndicate an exxpected resu
In ult based on observation,, experience, or scientificc reasoning.
Ske
etch Produce a graaph to indicaate a proper representatiion. A proper line should d be included
d
on the graph,, with labelleed axes. Howwever, scalingg of the axess is not essen
ntial. Any
feeatures askeed for should be clearly in
ndicated.
Suggest A solution or hypothesis should
s be proposed utilizzing sound sccientific knowwledge and
procedures.
© Peaarson Educatio
on Ltd 2013. For
F more information abou
ut the Pearson
n Baccalaureatte series pleasse visit
www.peearsonbacconline.com
TERMS
,Comm
C mand terms
t s
The following ccommand teerms will be used
u in questions in IB exxams. It is esssential that you understand what is
quired when
req n you encounnter these terms. They arre ordered inn increasing levels
l of difficulty: group
p 1 contains the
t
sim
mplest termss and group 3 the most demanding.
Grroup 1
De
efine Provide the meaning
m he term or phrase as precisely and co
of th oncisely as possible.
Draaw Use
U a pencil to t represent what is requ uested. Alwaays add labels unless direected not to do
so
o.
Lab
bel When
W not useed with the ‘draw’
‘ comm mand term, itt means to afffix labels to a visual
re
epresentatio on.
Lisst Supply a simp ple series of words
w or exp
planations without
w specific details.
Me easure Sttipulate the dimensions called for. Innclude units when
w appropriate.
Staate Provide the reequested infformation wiithout suppo orting calculaations or reasoning.
Grroup 2
An
nnotate Provide shortt critical or exxplanatory comments. Itt is usually ap pplied to a graph or
diagram.
Calculate Produce an answer using mathematiccal methods. It is essentiaal to show alll your working
out unless othherwise stated.
escribe
De Provide all relevant inform mation in furrnishing a jusstification orr explanation
n.
Disstinguish Differentiate
D between tw wo or more diifferent objeects, structurres, or detailss.
Esttimate Using
U informaation provideed or scientific knowledgge, determine an approximate value for
a requested ittem.
Ide
entify When
W provideed with a listt of possible solutions, se
elect the correct or best answer.
Ouutline In
ndicate the principal
p feattures of a req
quested topiic. Be concisee.
Grroup 3
An
nalyse Utilize
U data frrom tables, graphs,
g or scientific studiies to develoop a reasoned d judgementt.
Co
omment Provide an infference base ed on a calcu
ulation or staatement.
Co
ompare Supply inform mation representing how w two items or o conditionss are similar tot one
another. A table format iss acceptable for this.
Co
ompare and ccontrast Supply inform mation representing how w two items area both diffeerent and sim milar to one
another. A table format iss acceptable for this.
Co
onstruct Present inform mation in some diagrammatical form m, often as a graph.
De
educe From data givven, reach a justifiable
j coonclusion.
De
esign Devise
D a proccedure, modeel, simulation, or plan.
De
etermine Use
U information to arrive at a proper decision or answer.
a
Disscuss Present a detailed accoun nt including a range of poossibilities, such as in an argument.
Account
A for the importance of differeent factors orr various hyp potheses sup pporting thesse
possibilities.
Evaaluate Appraise
A the limitations and
a logical reelationships.
© Peaarson Educatio
on Ltd 2013. For
F more information abou
ut the Pearson
n Baccalaureatte series pleasse visit
www.peearsonbacconline.com
, Exp
plain Give
G a clear and detailed accounting of o some subjject, cause, oro mechanism m. Show logiical
developmentts or relationships. Be cerrtain your acccounting is clear
c and understandable.
Pre
edict ndicate an exxpected resu
In ult based on observation,, experience, or scientificc reasoning.
Ske
etch Produce a graaph to indicaate a proper representatiion. A proper line should d be included
d
on the graph,, with labelleed axes. Howwever, scalingg of the axess is not essen
ntial. Any
feeatures askeed for should be clearly in
ndicated.
Suggest A solution or hypothesis should
s be proposed utilizzing sound sccientific knowwledge and
procedures.
© Peaarson Educatio
on Ltd 2013. For
F more information abou
ut the Pearson
n Baccalaureatte series pleasse visit
www.peearsonbacconline.com
