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Your child knows why light affects photosynthesis. In a Biology test, they see a table of results and write, “The plant receives more light, so it photosynthesises faster.” That sentence gives a reason. If the question asked them to describe the results, they still need to say what changed and use the figures in the table.
For students preparing for Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) in the UAE, spotting the command word is a simple habit to build during revision. The Cambridge syllabus lists command words to help students understand what each question expects. Here’s how four common ones change the answer, even when the data stays the same. Cambridge IGCSE Biology syllabus
Four command words at a glance
| Command word | What to write | Quick check |
|---|---|---|
| Describe | State the main features or pattern. Use figures when they help show the change. | Have I said what happened? |
| Explain | Give a reason or show how one thing leads to another. | Have I said why it happened? |
| Compare | Relate the two things directly. Include relevant similarities or differences. | Have I made the comparison clear? |
| Suggest | Apply your Biology knowledge to give a plausible idea that fits the question. | Does my idea make sense in this situation? |
One pondweed experiment, four different answers
A student places a lamp at different distances from a piece of pondweed and counts the bubbles released in one minute. In this practice example, the bubble count is used as an estimate of the rate of photosynthesis.
| Distance from lamp | Bubbles per minute |
|---|---|
| 10 cm | 24 |
| 20 cm | 15 |
| 30 cm | 8 |
1. Describe how the bubble count changes as the lamp moves farther away
Example answer: As the lamp moves farther away, the bubble count falls. It decreases from 24 bubbles per minute at 10 cm to 8 bubbles per minute at 30 cm.
The first sentence gives the trend. The second uses figures and units to show the size of the change.
2. Explain why fewer bubbles are released when the lamp is farther away
Example answer: Farther from the lamp, the pondweed receives less light. Less light is available to drive photosynthesis, so the rate of photosynthesis falls and less oxygen is produced per minute.
This answer links the change in light to the rate of photosynthesis, then links that rate to the oxygen released.
3. Compare the bubble counts at 10 cm and 30 cm
Example answer: At 10 cm, the pondweed releases 24 bubbles per minute, three times the count of 8 bubbles per minute at 30 cm.
A phrase like “three times” makes the relationship between the two readings explicit.
4. Suggest one way to make the bubble count at each distance more reliable
Example answer: Repeat the one-minute count several times at each distance and calculate the mean for each distance.
Repeating the measurement helps reduce the effect of an unusually high or low count on the result.
A 10-minute practice routine for students and parents
Choose one table or graph from a past paper or school worksheet.
Write two short answers about the same result. Start one with “Describe the pattern” and the other with “Explain the pattern.”
Check each answer separately. Circle the evidence in the description. Underline the cause and effect in the explanation.
Review the official mark scheme for the original past-paper question and rewrite any part where you missed the instruction.
Parents can help by asking one follow-up question after reading an answer. Try “Which numbers show that?” for a description or “What caused that change?” for an explanation.
Frequently asked questions
Should I always include numbers in a describe answer?
Include figures when the question gives you data and the figures help show a trend, difference or exception. For a question about the structure of a cell, focus on the features the question asks you to describe.
Can a suggest question have more than one correct answer?
Yes. More than one response can fit, depending on the question. Give an idea that addresses the situation and use relevant Biology knowledge to support it where appropriate.
For help planning revision across subjects, read TheTuitionE’s IGCSE exam preparation guide for UAE parents.
If your child can explain Biology topics aloud but struggles to put their reasoning into exam answers, bring a recent question and their written response to a free TheTuitionE demo class.
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