Command Words and Exam Technique

This lesson covers the command words used in AQA GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition exam questions and the techniques needed to answer them effectively. Understanding what each command word requires is essential for accessing full marks.

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What Are Command Words?

Command words are the key words in exam questions that tell you what to do. Using the wrong approach for a command word — for example, simply listing points when asked to "evaluate" — will cost you marks even if your knowledge is correct.

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The Command Words

State / Name / Identify / Give (1–2 marks)

What it means	Give a brief, factual answer. No explanation needed.
Depth	Minimal — a word, phrase or short sentence
Explanation	Not required
Example Q	"State two high-risk foods."
Example A	"Cooked chicken and soft cheese."

Describe (2–4 marks)

What it means	Give a detailed account of what something is or how something happens.
Depth	Moderate — give specific details
Explanation	Describe what, not why
Example Q	"Describe the danger zone."
Example A	"The danger zone is the temperature range between 5°C and 63°C in which bacteria can multiply rapidly. Within this range, bacteria can double every 10–20 minutes, with the optimum temperature for bacterial growth being 37°C (human body temperature)."

Explain (3–6 marks)

What it means	Give reasons or causes; say why or how something happens.
Depth	Detailed — give the reason and link cause to effect
Explanation	Required — you must say why
Key phrases	"This is because…", "This means that…", "As a result…", "The reason for this is…"
Example Q	"Explain why raw meat should be stored on the bottom shelf of the fridge."
Example A	"Raw meat should be stored on the bottom shelf of the fridge because raw meat may contain pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. If stored on an upper shelf, juices from the raw meat could drip down onto ready-to-eat foods below, causing cross-contamination. The bacteria would not be killed because the ready-to-eat foods will not be cooked again, which could result in food poisoning."

Exam Tip: The difference between "describe" and "explain" is crucial. Describe = what happens. Explain = why it happens. If a question says "explain," you must give reasons. Simply describing without giving reasons will not earn full marks.

Compare (3–6 marks)

What it means	Identify similarities and/or differences between two or more things.
Depth	Moderate to detailed — direct comparisons
Structure	Use comparative language: "whereas," "in contrast," "similarly," "both," "however"
Example Q	"Compare pasteurised milk and UHT milk."
Example A	"Pasteurised milk is heated to 72°C for 15 seconds, whereas UHT milk is heated to 135°C for 1–4 seconds. Pasteurised milk must be kept refrigerated and has a shelf life of 7–10 days, while UHT milk can be stored at room temperature for 6–9 months unopened. Both methods kill pathogenic bacteria, however UHT has a slight 'cooked' taste due to the higher temperature, whereas pasteurised milk tastes almost identical to fresh milk."

Analyse (4–6 marks)

What it means	Break down information; examine in detail; identify key features, relationships or patterns.
Depth	Detailed — go beyond surface-level description
Structure	Identify different aspects; examine how they relate; show depth of understanding
Example Q	"Analyse the nutritional information shown in the table for Product A and Product B."
Example A	Examine each nutrient; compare values; identify which is higher/lower; relate to health implications; identify any nutrients of concern (high salt, high sugar, high saturated fat).

Evaluate (6–8 marks)

What it means	Consider different sides of an argument; weigh up evidence; make a judgement.
Depth	Very detailed — present arguments for AND against; reach a conclusion
Structure	Paragraph 1: arguments for; Paragraph 2: arguments against; Paragraph 3: conclusion/judgement
Key requirement	You MUST give both sides and reach a reasoned conclusion
Example Q	"Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of buying organic food."
Example A	See the structured approach below.

Discuss (6–8 marks)

What it means	Present different viewpoints or aspects; consider multiple factors.
Depth	Detailed — cover several different points in depth
Structure	Multiple paragraphs, each covering a different aspect; may include a conclusion
Example Q	"Discuss the factors that affect food choice for a teenager."

Justify (4–6 marks)

What it means	Give reasons to support a decision or conclusion; explain why your choice is the best option.
Depth	Moderate to detailed — clear reasoning linked to evidence
Example Q	"Justify your choice of dishes for a vegetarian dinner party."
Example A	Give specific reasons why each dish was chosen, linked to the brief (dietary needs, nutrition, cost, skill level, sensory appeal).

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Command Words Ranked by Demand

graph TB
    A["State / Name / Give<br/>1-2 marks<br/>Recall facts"] --> B["Describe<br/>2-4 marks<br/>Give detail"]
    B --> C["Explain<br/>3-6 marks<br/>Give reasons"]
    C --> D["Compare<br/>3-6 marks<br/>Similarities/Differences"]
    D --> E["Analyse<br/>4-6 marks<br/>Break down detail"]
    E --> F["Evaluate / Discuss<br/>6-8 marks<br/>Both sides + judgement"]

    style A fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
    style B fill:#2ecc71,color:#fff
    style C fill:#f39c12,color:#fff
    style D fill:#e67e22,color:#fff
    style E fill:#e74c3c,color:#fff
    style F fill:#c0392b,color:#fff

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Mark Allocation: How to Know How Much to Write

The number of marks is the most important guide to how much to write:

Marks	What Is Expected	Approximate Answer Length
1 mark	One correct point or fact	One word, phrase or short sentence
2 marks	Two distinct points or one point with development	1–2 sentences
3 marks	Three points, or fewer points with detailed explanation	2–3 sentences
4 marks	Four distinct points, or fewer points with full development	3–5 sentences (a short paragraph)
6 marks	Detailed answer covering multiple aspects with explanation	2–3 paragraphs
8 marks	Extended response with balanced argument and conclusion	3–4 paragraphs

Exam Tip: Use the number of marks as a guide. For a 1-mark question, one correct point is sufficient. For a 6-mark question, you need multiple developed points with explanation. If you are writing one sentence for a 6-mark question, you are not writing enough.

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Structuring Extended Answers (6–8 marks)

For high-mark questions (especially "evaluate" and "discuss"), structure is essential:

The PEEL Approach

Element	Description	Example
Point	State your main point clearly	"One advantage of organic farming is better animal welfare."
Evidence	Support with specific evidence or facts	"Organic standards require animals to have outdoor access, more space, and no routine antibiotics."
Explain	Explain how/why the evidence supports your point	"This means animals can exhibit natural behaviours such as foraging and dust bathing, which reduces stress and improves their quality of life."
Link	Link back to the question or to the next point	"However, this higher welfare standard comes at a cost, as organic food is typically 20–50% more expensive."

Structure for "Evaluate" Questions

Paragraph	Content
1	Advantages / Arguments FOR (with evidence and explanation)
2	Disadvantages / Arguments AGAINST (with evidence and explanation)
3	Conclusion — weigh up both sides and make a reasoned judgement (e.g., "Overall, while organic farming offers significant environmental and welfare benefits, the higher cost and lower yields mean it is not a practical option for all consumers, particularly those on low incomes")

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Practical Exam Techniques

Before the Exam

Action	Purpose
Know the exam structure	20 MCQs + 5 structured questions; 100 marks; 105 minutes
Revise all specification sections	All topics are equally likely to appear
Practise past papers	Familiarise yourself with question styles and mark schemes
Learn key facts	Temperatures, bacteria names, nutrient functions, fortification requirements
Prepare equipment	Black pen, pencil, ruler, eraser; no calculator needed

During the Exam