How To Answer Science Questions

Front 1

Suggest

Back 1

Apply your knowledge to a new situation.

Front 2

Show that

Back 2

Prove the statement made in the question is correct using calculations.

Front 3

Give a reason

Back 3

Use your scientific knowledge to give a reason why soemthing had happened.

Front 4

Describe

Back 4

State some facts and information in an ordered way using scientific words to build up a picture.

State what pattern you can see. Use numerical data your support your answer.

Front 5

Explain

Back 5

Use scientific knowledge to state why something has happened.

Use linking words like: so, because, therefore, due to or meaning that.

Front 6

Justify

Back 6

Give evidence to support either your previous answer or a statement.

Front 7

Determine

Back 7

Use information in the question and give a numerical answer.

Always include units.

Front 8

State and explain

Back 8

Make a point and justify it using your scientific knowledge.

Front 9

Comment on

Back 9

Look at the table of results or graph in the question and decode what it shows.

Front 10

Predict

Back 10

Use your scientific knowledge to say what you think will happen.

Front 11

State what us meant by

Back 11

Write down what the term in the question means

Front 12

Evaluate

Back 12

Look at the information (e.g. data, methods) form a conclusion, drawing on evidence including strengths and weaknesses.

Front 13

Assess

Back 13

Read the information in the question carefully and pick out the most important parts to help answer the question or come to a conclusion.

Front 14

Discuss

Back 14

Identify the problem/argument in the question.

Explore and investigate the problem by reasoning or argument.

Front 15

Deduce

Back 15

Make a conclusion from the information provided.

E.g. state any pattern in any graph or table of results.

Front 16

Compare and contrast

Back 16

Give some similarities and differences between two things.

Your answer must include at least 2 similarities and 2 differences.

Front 17

Sketch

Back 17

Produce a free hand drawing or a graph with labelled axis and a line of best fit.

With graphs ALWAYS include a line of best fit.

Front 18

Devise

Back 18

Plan or invent a method from your existing ideas on the subject