Command words that ask you to choose the correct answer Command word
OCR definition
How you should approach it
Choose
• Select an answer from options given.
Pick the option that you think is correct.
Circle
• Select an answer from options given.
Draw a circle around the right answer.
Identify
• Select an answer from options given. • Recognise, name or provide factors or features.
Either choose the correct answer from those given or write the name, factors or features that are asked for.
Command words that ask you to add to something OCR definition
How you should approach it
Annotate
• Add information, for example, to a table, diagram or graph until it is final. • Add all the needed or appropriate parts.
Add short notes to the table/diagram/graph to say what each part is.
Complete
• Add all the needed or appropriate parts. • Add information, for example, to a table, diagram or graph until it is final.
Add the information that is missing. Often you will need to give just one word as an answer but sometimes you may need to write more. You may need to finish drawing a diagram or graph.
Fill in
• Add all the needed or appropriate parts. • Add information, for example, to a table, diagram or graph until it is final.
Add the information that is missing. Often you will need to give just one word as an answer but sometimes you may need to write more.
Label
• Add information, for example, to a table, diagram or graph until it is final. • Add all the necessary or appropriate parts.
A
FT
Command word
This often refers to a diagram or a picture. Add words or short phrases to say what each part is. You could add arrows next to your label that point to the right part of the diagram/graph.
R
Command words that ask you to give the main points OCR definition
How you should approach it
Outline
• Give a short account, summary or description.
Write about the main points. Don’t write lots of detailed information.
D
Command word
State
• Give factors or features. • Give short, factual answers.
Give a short answer that names factors or features of something. Sometimes you will be asked to give a certain number of factors/features.
Command words that ask you to be factual Command word
OCR definition
How you should approach it
Describe
• Give an account including all the relevant characteristics, qualities or events. • Give a detailed account of something.
This is the ‘what’. Write about what something is.
Explain
• Give reasons for and/or causes of. • Use the words ‘because’ or ‘therefore’ in answers.
This is the ‘how’ and the ‘why’. Write about how something happens or works and why it does.
Preparing for the exam
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