1 - Understanding IB Command Terms
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Introducing Command Terms
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Welcome everyone! Today, we will begin by discussing IB command terms. These terms guide how you should respond to exam questions. Can anyone tell me why understanding these command terms is important?
I think they help us know what type of answer the examiners want.
Exactly! For example, if a question asks you to 'Describe,' you need to provide detailed information. Remember the acronym 'D.E.A.D.'? It stands for Describe, Explain, Analyze, and Discuss. Each requires a different level of detail.
What if it says 'Evaluate'?
Good question! When you evaluate, you need to weigh strengths and weaknesses. This requires you to provide a balanced argument. Letβs move on to examples.
Key Command Terms in Detail
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Now, letβs get into some key command terms. Who can give me a brief definition of 'Explain'?
Isnβt it about giving reasons alongside the information?
Exactly! In 'Explain', you must provide reasons. Let's break down another: 'Analyze.' Can anyone explain what that means?
It means to break something down into its parts.
Correct! Analyzing is about understanding the components of an idea or concept. Remember, these terms shape your response and help structure your essays or answers effectively.
Practice with Command Terms
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Now, letβs practice using these command terms. Imagine the question is: 'Discuss the impact of technology on education.' What would you include in your answer?
I would list both the positive effects, like easier access to information, and negative aspects, like distractions.
Perfect! You captured the essence of 'Discuss.' Itβs about covering multiple perspectives. Letβs try 'Compare' next. If the question asks you to compare online education and traditional education, how would you approach that?
Iβd mention how both provide learning opportunities, but online education offers flexibility while traditional education offers face-to-face interaction.
Exactly! Great job. Keeping your comparisons balanced is key.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
The section outlines key IB command terms such as 'Describe,' 'Explain,' and 'Evaluate,' providing definitions and guidance on how to respond to exam questions based on these terms. Mastery of these terms is essential for aligning student responses with examiners' expectations and securing a good performance on assessments.
Detailed
Understanding IB Command Terms
In IB examinations, command terms play a crucial role in guiding students on how to approach questions. Mastering these terms not only helps in framing appropriate responses but also enhances the likelihood of achieving desirable marks. This section defines the most common command terms encountered in IB exams:
- Describe: Provide a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern, or process.
- Explain: Offer a detailed account that includes reasons or causes behind a situation.
- Evaluate: Weigh the strengths and limitations of a choice or concept.
- Discuss: Engage in a balanced review, presenting a range of arguments while supporting conclusions with evidence.
- Compare: Highlight similarities among different items or concepts consistently.
- Contrast: Detail the differences between various items or concepts comprehensively.
- Analyse: Break down complex information to understand its essential components.
- Justify: Provide reasons or evidence to support a conclusion or answer.
Understanding these command terms is vital for aligning your answers with the expectations of examiners, thus maximizing the efficacy of exam performance.
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Definition of Command Terms
Chapter 1 of 2
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Chapter Content
Command terms are specific words used in IB exam questions that indicate the depth and type of response expected. Mastery of these terms is crucial for aligning your answers with the examiners' expectations.
Detailed Explanation
Command terms in IB exams are specialized words that instruct students on how to approach a question. For instance, if a question starts with 'explain', it signals that a detailed response with reasoning is required. Understanding these terms ensures that students can tailor their answers appropriately according to what the examiners are looking for. This mastery is essential because misinterpreting command terms can lead to lower scores due to inadequate answers.
Examples & Analogies
Think of command terms like road signs on a highway. Just as road signs tell drivers what to expect aheadβwhether to slow down, stop, or mergeβcommand terms guide students on how to respond to questions. Ignoring a road sign can lead to confusion or accidents, just as misreading a command term can lead to incorrect or incomplete responses.
Key Command Terms Explained
Chapter 2 of 2
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Chapter Content
1.1 Key Command Terms
β Describe: Provide a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern, or process.
β Explain: Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.
β Evaluate: Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.
β Discuss: Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors, or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.
β Compare: Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.
β Contrast: Give an account of the differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.
β Analyse: Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.
β Justify: Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.
Understanding these terms helps in structuring your responses appropriately and ensures that you address the question's requirements fully.
Detailed Explanation
Each key command term has a specific meaning that guides how students should respond. For example, when asked to 'describe', students must provide details such as characteristics or features without interpreting them. Conversely, 'analyze' requires students to break down complex information into understandable parts. Here's a brief overview:
- Describe: Focus on details without making judgments.
- Explain: Include reasons behind what is described.
- Evaluate: Weigh different sides, showing both strengths and weaknesses.
- Discuss: Provide a rounded view, using multiple perspectives.
These terms not only shape how students organize their answers but also ensure that the responses meet the expectations of the examination criteria.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine planning a vacation. If a friend asks you to 'describe' your trip, you'd list the places you visited, the foods you tried, and the experiences you had. But if they ask you to 'evaluate' that trip, you wouldn't just list your memories; you'd weigh how enjoyable each part was and whether the trip was worth the cost. In the same way, command terms guide students on how to approach their answers based on what the question is asking.
Key Concepts
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Describe: Detailed information about a concept.
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Explain: Providing reasons along with information.
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Evaluate: Weighing strengths and weaknesses.
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Discuss: Cover multiple perspectives on an issue.
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Compare: Highlight similarities between concepts.
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Contrast: Highlight differences between concepts.
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Analyze: Breaking down information to understand its components.
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Justify: Providing valid reasons for conclusions.
Examples & Applications
In a question asking to 'Describe' the process of photosynthesis, you would detail each step involved in the process.
In a question asking to 'Evaluate' a theory, you would discuss both its strengths and weaknesses.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
If you're asked to 'Describe,' give detail to help them thrive.
Stories
Once upon a time, two students had to Explain why the sun sets. One described the scene, while another gave reasons, making it clear and seen.
Memory Tools
To remember command terms, think: D.E.A.D. - Describe, Evaluate, Analyze, Discuss.
Acronyms
R.E.A.C.T - Remember to Evaluate And Compare Thoroughly in essays.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Describe
To give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern, or process.
- Explain
To provide a detailed account that includes reasons or causes.
- Evaluate
To make an appraisal by weighing the strengths and limitations.
- Discuss
To offer a balanced review that includes various arguments or factors.
- Compare
To highlight the similarities between two (or more) items.
- Contrast
To emphasize the differences between two (or more) items.
- Analyse
To break down information to bring out essential elements.
- Justify
To provide valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.
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