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
Cancer is a non-communicable disease. Explain how smoking can affect the development of cancer. Define risk factors in your answer. [4 marks]
Answer (four from):
- risk factors are things that increase a person's chance of developing a disease
- they can be part of a person's lifestyle
- they can be substances in a person's body or their environment
- smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer
- tar in cigarettes is a carcinogen
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Describe the difference between HIV and AIDS? [2 marks]
Answer (two from):
- HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus
- initially only causes mild flu-like symptoms
- AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- AIDS could develop months or years after infection the virus becomes active and starts to attack the patient's immune system
Sample question 3 - Foundation
Question
Describe the differences between phagocytes and lymphocytes. [4 marks]
Answer (four from):
- phagocytes surround any pathogens in your blood and engulf them
- enzymes inside the phagocytes then breakdown the pathogen
- lymphocytes recognise proteins on the surface of pathogens called antigens
- they then produce antibodies which make pathogens stick together
- lymphocytes also produce antitoxins to neutralise the effects of toxins produced by pathogens
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
Describe the life cycle of a virus. [4 marks]
Answer (four from):
- they can often survive outside a host for long periods of time
- they then infect a suitable host cell
- they replicate themselves thousands of times
- they copy their genetic material (DNA or RNA) and protein coats
- this often causes the host cell to burst
- other cells can then be infected
Sample question 5 - Higher
Question
Describe the differences between the lytic and lysogenic pathways? [4 marks]
- the lytic pathway occurs when a virus infects a cell and immediately replicates causing the cell the burst
- the lysogenic pathway occurs when a virus infects a cell but does not immediately replicate so the cell does not burst
- the DNA of the virus is incorporated into the host of left in the cytoplasm
- replication and cell lysis will occur at a later time
Sample question 6 - Higher
Question
Describe how monoclonal antibodies are used to diagnose medical conditions. [4 marks]
- monoclonal antibodies are designed to bind to antigens
- monoclonal antibodies specific to the antigens found in the urine of pregnant women used to detect pregnancies
- monoclonal antibodies specific to the antigens on the surface of cancer cells used to detect tumours
- monoclonal antibodies used to locate blood clots