SASS Chem Command Words

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 ST ANDREW’S SECONDARY SCHOOL NAME CLASS CHEMISTRY Supplementary Notes Command Words Apart from the standard ‘Why’, ‘What’, ‘Who’, ‘When’, ‘Where’ & ‘How’, command words are used in all questions to inform you of the requirements you should provide in your answers. Command word Requires you to Example Add / Label Provide the addition or labelling of a material for the question. Label on the diagram where cold water enters the condenser. Calculate Obtain a numerical answer, showing relevant working. This is usually accompanied with an appropriate unit. Calculate the mass of sodium chloride required in this reaction. Comment on Recall or infer points of interest relevant to the context of the question, taking account of the number of marks available. Comment on the statements made by student A. Compare Provide both similarities and differences between concepts or things. Should not require the drawing of a conclusion. Answer must relate to both (or all) things mentioned in the question. Compare the results obtained by both students. Construct Write a balanced equation, not by factual recall but by analogy or by using information in the question. Write a balanced chemical equation, including state symbols, for this reaction. Define Present a formal statement or equivalent paraphrase being required. Define elements. Describe Give an account of something. Statements in the response need to be developed, as they are often linked but do not need to include a justification or reason. Describe the process involved when the ice cube turned into water. Determine Obtain a quantitative answer that cannot be measured directly. Determine the total number of hydrogen atoms present in beaker X. Design Plan, invent or put together a set of procedures/ from existing principles/ideas. Design an experiment to obtain salt from this mixture. Discuss Give a critical account of the points involved in the topic. Discuss the importance of the use of catalytic converters in car engines. Draw Produce a diagram either using a ruler or freehand. Draw the chromatogram expected from this experiment. Estimate Find an approximate value, number or quantity from a diagram / given data or through a calculation. Using the information provided in the table, estimate the atomic radius of astatine.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 Evaluate Review information (e.g. data, methods) then bring it together to form a conclusion, drawing on evidence including strengths, weaknesses, alternative actions, relevant data or information. Based on the results obtained, evaluate the performance of each method s