One to four mark questions
One to four 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
- 'compare' where you describe the similarities and/or differences between things
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鈥'
'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.
These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Use one word from the table to complete the sentence. [1 mark]
The structure in a cell that controls the cell's activities is called the ______ .
| cell membrane | cytoplasm | mitochondrion | nucleus |
| cell membrane |
| cytoplasm |
| mitochondrion |
| nucleus |
The structure in a cell that controls the cell's activities is called the nucleus [1].
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Give two differences between plant and animal cells. [2 marks]
Any two from:
- plant cells have a cell wall and animal cells do not
- plant cells have permanent vacuoles and animal cells do not
- plant cells have chloroplasts and animal cells do not
[2]
Sample question 3 - Foundation
Question
What conditions can denature an enzyme? [2 marks]
- high temperatures [1]
- extremes (very high or low) pH [1]
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
A scientist observes some cells undergoing mitosis with a microscope.
The length of time the cell is at a certain stage of the cell cycle can be calculated using the formula:
\(\text{Length of time in the stage} = \)
\( \frac{\text{observed number of cells in that stage}}{\text{total number of cells observed}} \times \text{length of cell cycle}\)
The following data was obtained when observing the cells:
| Cells not dividing | Cells dividing by mitosis | Time for cell cycle (min) |
| 120 | 16 | 500 |
| Cells not dividing | 120 |
|---|---|
| Cells dividing by mitosis | 16 |
| Time for cell cycle (min) | 500 |
Estimate the time spent undergoing mitosis by the cells. [3 marks]
59 minutes [1]
Total number of cells = 136 [1]
\(\text{Length of time in mitosis} = \frac{16}{136} \times 500 = 59~ \text{minutes}\) [1]
Sample question 5 - Higher
Question
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of light and electron microscopes. [4 marks]
- electron microscopes have higher magnification than light microscopes [1]
- electron microscopes have higher resolution than light microscopes [1]
- scanning electron microscopes can be used to examine the structure of cells/structures [1]
- light microscopes can be used to examine living cells, electron microscopes cannot [1]
Sample question 6 - Higher
Question
There are thousands of types of enzymes in the human body. Explain why so many are needed. [3 marks]
- most/many reactions in living things are controlled by enzymes [1]
- for each different substrate there is a different enzyme [1]
- because the substrate molecule must fit precisely into the enzyme molecule, like a key fits into a lock [1]