Exam Technique COMMAND WORDS:

Command word Analyse Assess Give an in-depth account Give a statement of the overall quality or value of the feature or issue being considered. Look at an issue or problem from the point of view of a critic. Comment on the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence. Refer to data, but then make a statement arising from the data that is relevant, appropriate and geographical, but not directly evident. You may give reasons. You need to give a point by point account of the similarities and differences between two sets of information or two areas. Use comparative adjectives e.g. larger than, smaller than, steeper than, less gentle than. Contrast Define / Outline / What is meant by? Describe (events e.g. 1CP) Describe the changes in (e.g. a graph or table) Give the differences between two sets of information or two areas. Give the precise meaning of a term. An example may be helpful. Meaning

Critically evaluate

Comment on

Compare

Give key details of the topic asked about. WHO, WHEN, HOW and WHAT are good prompts to follow. Include words such as increase, decrease, rapidly, steeply, gently, slightly, greatly. Use figures, years, things you spot easily (highs, lows) and things less obvious (anomalies, exceptions) What does it look like? What is it made of? How big is it? Where is it in relation to other features? Only differences between two sets of data will be credited. Write each sentence with one difference.

Describe the characteristics of (e.g. a landform) Describe the differences between (e.g. sets of data)

Describe the distribution of (used with one or more maps)

You need to identify and describe where the high concentrations are. You then need to identify and describe where the low concentrations are. You should also state where the anomalies are (what doesnt fit the pattern?) Only the links between two sets of data will be credited. You must state the link clearly. (is it a positive (direct) or negative (indirect) relationship?) Present arguments for and against an issue. Make use of appropriate examples. Consider both positive and negative aspects.

Describe the relationship between Discuss

Evaluate

Give an overall statement of value. Give your own judgement with justification for this. Give a statement about how or why something happens. Give positive and negative aspects of all opinions. For ideas that are rejected, give an overall statement why negatives outweigh positives. For the chosen opinion, give an overall statement why positives outweigh negatives.

Explain / give reasons for Justify

Name /state/identify

Give a named example of a feature; identify a landform from a photograph.