Command Terms

For IB Biology HL

Define

Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, or physical quantity. This often requires clarity, conciseness, and accuracy, distinguishing the term from other similar or related concepts.

Draw

Represent by means of pencil lines. This involves creating an illustration using clear and dark lines, without the use of colours. Diagrams created through this method may also require labeling or annotation to provide further detail.

Label

Add labels to a diagram. This process typically involves identifying and naming specific parts or features within an illustration. Labels should be accurate and often relate to the structures themselves and their functions.

List

Provide a sequence of names or brief answers. This command term requires a concise enumeration of items without including any detailed explanations or elaborate descriptions.

Measure

Find a value for a quantity. This involves determining the size, amount, or degree of something, often using appropriate measuring tools. All answers should be presented using metric, SI (International System of Units) units.

State

Give a clear, concise answer or brief definition, without elaboration or detailed explanation. This command typically requires recalling specific facts, principles, or conditions directly, without needing to justify or provide supplementary information.

Annotate

Add brief notes to a diagram or graph. Unlike simple labeling, annotation requires providing additional information, explanations, or comments that elaborate on the features, processes, or data shown.

Apply

Use an idea, principle, theory, law, or equation in a new or different situation. This means taking existing knowledge and demonstrating its relevance or functionality within a specific context.

Calculate

Find a numerical answer by performing a mathematical operation. This command requires demonstrating all relevant stages of working, ensuring clarity and transparency in the process, and presenting the final answer using the correct SI (International System of Units) units.

Describe

Give a detailed account of something. A description focuses on presenting factual observations or information about processes, events, or data without providing reasons, causes, or mechanisms. The level of detail required typically corresponds to the allocation of marks.

Distinguish

Identify and state the differences between two or more items or concepts. This command term requires highlighting contrasting features or characteristics, providing a clear demarcation between them, and typically does not require mentioning similarities.

Estimate

Find an approximate value for an unknown quantity. This involves making an educated guess or rough calculation, rather than a precise measurement, often used when exact data is impractical or impossible to obtain.

Identify

Find or point out an answer from a given number of possibilities. This command involves recognizing and selecting the correct item or piece of information, whether from a list, a diagram, or a graph.

Outline

Give a brief account or summary of the main points of a topic or process. An outline should be concise, presenting essential information without delving into detailed reasons, causes, or elaborate explanations.

Analyse

Break down a complex topic, concept, structure, or data set into its constituent parts to examine their relationships, characteristics, and implications. This involves scrutinizing information in depth to identify patterns, causes, effects, and interdependencies, leading to a reasoned interpretation or conclusion.

Compare

Identify and explain both the similarities and differences between two or more items, concepts, or phenomena. This requires a balanced discussion, highlighting commonalities as well as contrasting features, often considering relevant criteria or aspects of comparison.

Construct

Represent or develop information in graphical form. This task requires careful attention to detail, accurately translating data or concepts into a visual representation such as a graph, chart, or diagram.

Deduce

Reach a conclusion or infer information from the evidence or premises provided. This involves logically working out an answer by applying existing knowledge or principles to a specific scenario or set of data.

Determine

Find the only possible answer or solution to a problem. This command requires a definitive conclusion based on evidence, calculations, or logical reasoning, often demanding a more in-depth process than simple identification.

Discuss

Give a comprehensive account examining a range of arguments, factors, or perspectives related to a topic. This involves presenting both merits and demerits, or different viewpoints, and evaluating their significance, often considering any given qualifiers and the allocated marks.

Evaluate

Assess the implications, strengths, and limitations of something, such as an argument, theory, or experimental design. This requires making a judgment using appropriate evaluative language, relating the assessment to stated aims or available data, and accounting for the allocated marks.

Explain

Give a detailed account of the causes, reasons, or underlying mechanisms of a phenomenon or process. This involves clarifying 'how' or 'why' something occurs, providing justification and linking concepts logically, with the depth of explanation related to the marks available and any specified qualifiers.

Predict

Give an expected result or outcome, accompanied by a reasoned justification. This involves identifying trends or patterns in given information or data and logically extending them to forecast a future event or condition.

Show

Present the steps involved in a calculation, proof, or derivation in a clear and logical sequence. This requires demonstrating all stages of the process, ensuring that the working is understandable and verifiable.

Sketch

Represent by means of a graph showing a line with labeled but unscaled axes. This involves creating a simplified drawing that highlights the important features or general shape of a relationship without needing precise measurements or detailed scaling.

Suggest

Propose a hypothesis, a possible answer, or a course of action based on available information or general knowledge. This requires applying reasoning and providing a plausible