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Understanding Command Terms
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Good morning, everyone! Today we'll explore IB command terms, crucial keywords that dictate how we should respond to exam questions. Why do you think understanding these terms is important?
I think it's important because it helps us know what the question is really asking.
Exactly! Let's start with 'Describe'. When we see this term, what do we need to do?
We need to provide a detailed account of something.
Correct! Now, who's willing to give me an example of a situation where we would use 'Describe'?
Maybe describing the water cycle? We can detail how it works.
Great example! Can anyone tell me what 'Explain' requires from us?
It needs more detail, including reasons or causes.
Excellent! Let's summarize: 'Describe' means to detail without necessarily explaining why, whereas 'Explain' dives deeper. Remember, going deeper is important!
Evaluating and Discussing
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Moving on, what does 'Evaluate' ask us to do?
I think it means to weigh the strengths and limitations of something.
Correct! Evaluating is like being a judge in a court, weighing evidence. Now, who can explain 'Discuss'?
'Discuss' means we need to review different arguments or factors, right?
Exactly! It's about having a balanced view, supported by evidence. Let's summarize: 'Evaluate' looks at strengths and weaknesses, while 'Discuss' explores various viewpoints.
Comparing and Contrasting
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Now, letโs talk about 'Compare' and 'Contrast'. What's the difference between the two?
'Compare' is about similarities, and 'Contrast' is about differences.
Correct! Can someone give an example of both?
We could compare apples and oranges by looking at their nutrition facts, while to contrast them, we would highlight their taste differences.
Excellent example! To wrap up, 'Compare' looks for similarities while 'Contrast' seeks differences. Remember this distinction!
Analyzing and Justifying
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Lastly, we have 'Analyse' and 'Justify'. What does 'Analyse' require from us?
It means breaking something down to understand its elements.
Right! Can anyone explain 'Justify'?
We need to provide reasons or evidence to support our answers.
Great! So, just to recap: 'Analyse' breaks down information, and 'Justify' backs up our arguments with evidence.
Introduction & Overview
Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.
Quick Overview
Standard
Understanding IB command terms is essential for delivering responses that meet examiners' expectations. The section outlines key command terms such as 'Describe', 'Explain', 'Evaluate', and others, explaining their meanings and implications for exam responses.
Detailed
Detailed Summary
In the context of IB exams, command terms serve as critical indicators of what is expected in students' responses. Mastery of these terms can significantly impact a student's performance by ensuring that they align their answers with examiners' expectations. This section defines key command terms used in exam questions:
- Describe: Requires a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, or process.
- Explain: Calls for a detailed account that includes reasons or causes behind a concept.
- Evaluate: Involves making an appraisal by weighing strengths and limitations.
- Discuss: Requires a balanced review that includes various arguments or perspectives supported by evidence.
- Compare: Involves detailing similarities between two or more items.
- Contrast: Focuses on the differences between two or more items.
- Analyse: Entails breaking down information to reveal essential elements.
- Justify: Requires providing valid reasons or evidence to support claims.
Understanding these command terms helps students structure their answers appropriately, ensuring they fully address the question's requirements.
Audio Book
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Understanding 'Describe'
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โ Describe: Provide a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern, or process.
Detailed Explanation
The term 'Describe' requests you to give a comprehensive and vivid portrayal of a particular topic. This means not just stating facts but elaborating on them to create a complete picture for the reader. For example, if asked to describe a natural disaster, you would not only mention what happened but also provide details about the impact, duration, and reactions of people involved.
Examples & Analogies
Think of describing a movie you recently watched. Instead of just saying, 'It was about a hero,' you would include details about the character's journey, challenges faced, and key moments that make the story engaging.
Understanding 'Explain'
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โ Explain: Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.
Detailed Explanation
When you are asked to 'Explain,' you need to provide not only the answer but also the background information that leads to that answer. For example, if you explain why flowers bloom in spring, you should discuss factors like temperature changes, sunlight availability, and the biological processes that trigger blooming.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a teacher asking why students study hard. A simple answer would be 'to pass exams,' but a thorough explanation might include discussing the long-term benefits of education, personal aspirations, and the pressures from society or family.
Understanding 'Evaluate'
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โ Evaluate: Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.
Detailed Explanation
To 'Evaluate' means to assess something by considering its positives and negatives. You should weigh the merits of different angles before forming a conclusion. For instance, if you evaluate a scientific theory, you would look at the evidence supporting it, potential criticisms, and its applications.
Examples & Analogies
Think of evaluating a restaurant. You would consider the quality of food (strength), service (strength), and price (limitation), providing a balanced view before recommending it or not.
Understanding 'Discuss'
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โ Discuss: Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors, or hypotheses.
Detailed Explanation
When you 'Discuss' a topic, it's your job to present multiple viewpoints and argumentations regarding that issue. You should gather various elements and analyze how they relate to each other. For example, discussing climate change would involve presenting scientific data, arguments for and against different solutions, and possible future scenarios.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a debate on school uniforms. Discussing it would mean presenting arguments from both supporters (uniformity and discipline) and opponents (self-expression and cost), leading to a well-rounded understanding.
Understanding 'Compare'
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โ Compare: Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.
Detailed Explanation
To 'Compare' means to highlight how two or more subjects are alike. This involves drawing parallels between aspects of each subject while maintaining a focus on both. For instance, when comparing two historical figures, you may discuss their achievements, the challenges they faced, and their legacies.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine comparing two different smartphones. You would discuss similarities like camera quality, battery life, and user interface, noting how these features appeal to consumers, rather than just stating the specifications.
Understanding 'Contrast'
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โ Contrast: Give an account of the differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.
Detailed Explanation
Contrasting involves pointing out the differences between two or more subjects, and it requires a focus on each item. For instance, contrasting two political systems would involve detailing their structures, processes, and outcomes in governance.
Examples & Analogies
Think of comparing tea and coffee. You might contrast the preparation methods, tastes, cultural significance, and health benefits, giving readers a clear sense of how they differ.
Understanding 'Analyse'
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โ Analyse: Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.
Detailed Explanation
To 'Analyse' means to dissect something to understand its components and how they work together. This is crucial in many fields, such as literature, where you might analyze a poem to understand its themes, forms, and techniques.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine youโre troubleshooting a computer issue. Analyzing means looking at each part of the system (hardware, software, connections) to find the root cause of the problem, rather than guessing what might be wrong.
Understanding 'Justify'
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โ Justify: Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.
Detailed Explanation
When you are asked to 'Justify', you need to back up your points with reasons or evidence. This shows the reviewer not just what you think, but why you think it. For example, if you justify a scientific conclusion, you should present data, experiments, or theories that support your statement.
Examples & Analogies
Consider telling your parents why you should be allowed to go out with friends. You would need to provide reasons (e.g., responsibility, past behavior) to assure them you're trustworthy, rather than just stating you want to go.
Definitions & Key Concepts
Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.
Key Concepts
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Command Terms: Specific words in exam questions that guide the expected response.
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Describe: Means to give a detailed account of something.
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Evaluate: Requires weighing strengths and weaknesses.
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Discuss: Involves reviewing various arguments and supporting evidence.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Examples
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For the command term 'Describe', a student might be asked to describe the process of photosynthesis, detailing each step involved.
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Using 'Explain', a student could detail why enzymes are affected by temperature, discussing kinetic energy and enzyme denaturation.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
๐ต Rhymes Time
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To evaluate is to weigh, positives and negatives each day.
๐ Fascinating Stories
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Imagine you're a detective. In a case, you'd describe the scene, explain motives, evaluate suspects, discuss theories, compare clues, and contrast alibis.
๐ง Other Memory Gems
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DEED: Describe, Explain, Evaluate, Discuss. This helps remember the four main command terms.
๐ฏ Super Acronyms
C.R.E.A.M. for Compare, Reflect, Evaluate, Analyse, and Mention.
Flash Cards
Review key concepts with flashcards.
Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
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Term: Describe
Definition:
Provide a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern, or process.
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Term: Explain
Definition:
Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.
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Term: Evaluate
Definition:
Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.
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Term: Discuss
Definition:
Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors, or hypotheses.
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Term: Compare
Definition:
Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations.
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Term: Contrast
Definition:
Give an account of the differences between two (or more) items or situations.
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Term: Analyse
Definition:
Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.
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Term: Justify
Definition:
Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.