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Command words are the most important words in any exam question. They tell you exactly what the examiner expects you to do. Misunderstanding a command word is one of the most common reasons students lose marks — they write a perfectly good answer, but it answers the wrong question. This lesson explains every command word used in the Edexcel B GCSE Geography exam, with examples of what a correct response looks like for each one.
Consider these two questions about the same topic:
These questions look similar, but they require completely different answers:
The first answer states what the pattern is. The second explains why the pattern exists. If you describe when asked to explain, you will lose marks even if your description is accurate.
Exam Tip: Before you start writing, underline the command word in the question. This takes one second and ensures you answer correctly. It is the single most valuable exam technique you can develop.
These command words ask for a brief, factual answer — usually one word, one phrase or one sentence. No explanation is needed.
Example: "State one advantage of using a flow meter to measure river velocity." (1 mark)
Answer: "A flow meter measures velocity at 0.6 x depth, giving the mean velocity of the water column rather than just the surface velocity."
Common mistake: Writing too much. A 1-mark question needs only one clear point.
Describe means to say what something is like, what happens, or what the data shows. You are painting a picture with words. You should quote data and identify patterns but do not explain why.
Structure for describing data:
Example: "Describe the trend in river discharge shown in Figure 5." (3 marks)
Answer: "Discharge increases with distance downstream, from 0.15 cumecs at Site 1 (2 km from source) to 2.8 cumecs at Site 8 (16 km from source). The increase is relatively gradual between Sites 1 and 4 (0.15 to 0.45 cumecs) but much steeper between Sites 5 and 8 (0.6 to 2.8 cumecs). Site 3 is a slight anomaly, showing a small decrease from Site 2."
Exam Tip: When describing data, always include specific numbers from the resource. Saying "discharge increases downstream" is vague. Saying "discharge increases from 0.15 cumecs at Site 1 to 2.8 cumecs at Site 8" shows you can read and use data accurately.
Explain means to give reasons why something happens. You need to show understanding of the geographical processes, causes or factors involved.
Structure for explaining:
Example: "Explain why river discharge increases downstream." (4 marks)
Answer: "Discharge increases downstream because tributaries join the main river, adding water and increasing the total volume of flow. Additionally, as the river flows downstream, it receives more surface runoff and throughflow from its growing catchment area. The drainage basin becomes larger downstream, meaning more precipitation falls within the catchment and eventually reaches the river channel. At the same time, the channel becomes more efficient (deeper and wider with a smoother bed), which reduces friction and allows water to flow faster, further increasing discharge."
Common mistake: Describing instead of explaining. "Discharge goes up" is description. "Discharge goes up because tributaries add water" is explanation.
Compare means to identify similarities and differences between two or more things. You must refer to both items being compared, not just describe each one separately.
Structure for comparing:
Example: "Compare the climate of Location A and Location B using Figure 7." (4 marks)
Answer: "Both locations have their warmest month in July, but Location A reaches 24°C compared to Location B at only 16°C, a difference of 8°C. Location A has a much larger annual temperature range (22°C compared to 12°C), suggesting a more continental climate. In terms of precipitation, Location B receives significantly more rainfall overall (1,200mm per year compared to 650mm). However, Location A's rainfall is concentrated in summer (June–August), whereas Location B receives rainfall more evenly throughout the year."
Exam Tip: The word "compare" requires you to make direct comparisons, not just describe each thing separately. Use connective words like "whereas," "in contrast," "similarly" and "on the other hand" to show you are actively comparing. Describing A then describing B without linking them together will not score full marks.
Contrast is similar to compare but focuses specifically on differences. You do not need to identify similarities.
Suggest asks you to use your geographical knowledge to propose possible reasons or solutions, often in situations where there is no single definitive answer. It is used when the question wants you to apply your knowledge to an unfamiliar context.
Example: "Suggest why this coastal area has experienced rapid erosion in recent years." (4 marks)
Answer: "The area may have experienced rapid erosion because rising sea levels due to climate change have increased wave energy at the base of the cliffs. Additionally, increased storm frequency means destructive waves attack the coast more often. The removal of a groyne field to the west may have disrupted longshore drift, reducing sediment supply to this beach and leaving the cliff base exposed to direct wave attack. Climate change may also have increased rainfall, leading to more surface runoff and saturation of the cliff, increasing the likelihood of mass movement such as slumping."
Key point: "Suggest" gives you more freedom than "explain" — you can propose ideas that are plausible even if you are not certain they are correct.
Evaluate asks you to weigh up strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages, or arguments for and against, and then reach a judgement.
Structure for evaluating:
Example: "Evaluate the effectiveness of hard engineering strategies for coastal management." (8 marks)
Answer structure:
Paragraph 1: Sea walls are effective because they absorb wave energy and protect properties behind them. For example, the sea wall at Dawlish protects the railway line and town centre from direct wave impact, preventing damage worth millions of pounds.
Paragraph 2: However, sea walls are very expensive (£5,000–£10,000 per metre) and can increase erosion at the base through wave reflection. They also have a limited lifespan (50–100 years) and need expensive maintenance.
Paragraph 3: Groynes are effective at trapping sediment and building up the beach, which then acts as a natural defence. However, they can starve beaches further along the coast of sediment, transferring the erosion problem.
Paragraph 4 (Judgement): Overall, hard engineering is effective in the short term for protecting high-value areas, but it is expensive, often unsustainable, and can cause problems elsewhere. A combination of hard and soft engineering (managed realignment, beach nourishment) is generally more effective in the long term.
Exam Tip: For "evaluate" questions, the judgement is essential. You must reach a conclusion — sitting on the fence and saying "it depends" without making a decision will lose marks. State your overall view and justify it with evidence from your earlier points.
Assess is similar to evaluate but asks you to judge the importance or significance of something. You need to consider how important different factors are and reach a reasoned conclusion.
Example: "Assess the importance of international aid in promoting development." (8 marks)
Structure: Consider multiple factors, weigh them against each other, and judge which is most/least important.
Justify asks you to give reasons for your choice or decision. It is commonly used in Paper 3 decision-making questions.
Structure:
Discuss asks you to explore different viewpoints or different sides of an issue. Like evaluate, you should consider multiple perspectives and reach a conclusion.
Example: "Discuss the view that urbanisation creates more problems than benefits." (8 marks)
You should present arguments for and against this view, using case study evidence, before reaching a balanced conclusion.
"To what extent" asks you to judge how far a statement is true. You must present evidence both supporting and challenging the statement, then make a clear judgement.
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