Command Words
Command Words
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In the Graphic Communication exam, different command words are used to tell you exactly what type of answer is required. Each command word has a very specific meaning, and understanding the difference between them is essential to gaining full marks.
Providing the wrong style of answer, even if the information is correct, can result in losing marks. This page will guide you through what each command word is asking you to do, along with clear examples and sentence structures to help you answer confidently and accurately in the final exam.
Providing the wrong style of answer, even if the information is correct, can result in losing marks. This page will guide you through what each command word is asking you to do, along with clear examples and sentence structures to help you answer confidently and accurately in the final exam.
IDENTIFY / STATE
IDENTIFY / STATE
What it means:
Give a single-word or very short answer. No sentences and no explanations are needed. Only the first answer is marked.
Give a single-word or very short answer. No sentences and no explanations are needed. Only the first answer is marked.
Example One:
State the name of symbol A.
Example answer:
Registration Mark
State the name of symbol A.
Example answer:
Registration Mark
Example Two:
The company hires freelance CAD technicians to create 3D models. They all use different CAD software. State a suitable file format that the CAD technicians can use when sharing models.
Example answer:
STEP
The company hires freelance CAD technicians to create 3D models. They all use different CAD software. State a suitable file format that the CAD technicians can use when sharing models.
Example answer:
STEP
Example Three:
State the name of symbol A.
Example answer:
Insulation Board
State the name of symbol A.
Example answer:
Insulation Board
DESCRIBE
DESCRIBE
What it means:
Describe the features or characteristics. Use full sentences, not single words. Have a separate statement for each number of marks available. Be specific to the question – say what you see.
Describe the features or characteristics. Use full sentences, not single words. Have a separate statement for each number of marks available. Be specific to the question – say what you see.
Example One:
Describe one reason for using placeholder text
Example answer:
It allows the designer to create the layout before the final text has been decided on.
Describe one reason for using placeholder text
Example answer:
It allows the designer to create the layout before the final text has been decided on.
Example Two:
Describe two ways the graphic designer has used contrast to enhance the ticket.
Example answer:
The designer used contrasting black and red fonts and used contrasting font sizes for the ticket number and the name of the event.
Describe two ways the graphic designer has used contrast to enhance the ticket.
Example answer:
The designer used contrasting black and red fonts and used contrasting font sizes for the ticket number and the name of the event.
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
What it means:
Give a cause and effect - what AND why. Must be a full sentence, expanded. No bullet points. The number of statements must match the marks available. Must be specific to the question
Give a cause and effect - what AND why. Must be a full sentence, expanded. No bullet points. The number of statements must match the marks available. Must be specific to the question
Explain answers should always feature a linking phrase, for example:
- which creates…
- due to…
- which makes…
- this causes…
- this allows…
- because…
- therefore…
- as this…
- which highlights…
- creating…
In Element and Principle questions, effects could include:
- …makes it more cohesive.
- …connects different elements together.
- …creates visual impact.
- …makes it stand out against…
- …making the document easier to follow.
- …gets the reader's attention.
- …creates a formal layout.
- …encourages the reader to look at…
- …highlights…
Example One:
Explain how alignment improves this layout.
Example answer:
The question and answer boxes are aligned to the left, which makes the document easier to follow and look more professional.
Explain how alignment improves this layout.
Example answer:
The question and answer boxes are aligned to the left, which makes the document easier to follow and look more professional.
Example Two:
Explain, giving two reasons, why a raster file format is used.
Example answer:
Raster files allow rich and detailed images DUE TO the use of pixels over shapes. They are a high-resolution image, AS each pixel can be a different colour, allowing for subtle changes in colour
Explain, giving two reasons, why a raster file format is used.
Example answer:
Raster files allow rich and detailed images DUE TO the use of pixels over shapes. They are a high-resolution image, AS each pixel can be a different colour, allowing for subtle changes in colour
Example Three:
Explain, giving one example, why unity has been used in the layout.
Example answer:
The designer has repeated the colours blue and orange throughout the design, WHICH ALLOWS the design to look more cohesive.
Explain, giving one example, why unity has been used in the layout.
Example answer:
The designer has repeated the colours blue and orange throughout the design, WHICH ALLOWS the design to look more cohesive.
CALCULATE
CALCULATE
What it means:
Do the maths or measurement. You can show workings, but only the final answer gets the mark.
Do the maths or measurement. You can show workings, but only the final answer gets the mark.
Example One:
Calculate the maximum and minimum dimensions for size x (82mm) with an allowable tolerance of +0.5 and -1.5.
Example answer:
Maximum = 82.5 Minimum = 80.5
Calculate the maximum and minimum dimensions for size x (82mm) with an allowable tolerance of +0.5 and -1.5.
Example answer:
Maximum = 82.5 Minimum = 80.5
APPLY
APPLY
What it means:
You need to draw or sketch something correctly using BS standards or conventions. You're adding something to a drawing, not just describing.
What it means:
You need to draw or sketch something correctly using BS standards or conventions. You're adding something to a drawing, not just describing.
Example One:
Apply the british standard convention for an external thread on the end elevation of the fixing screw
Example answer:
Apply the british standard convention for an external thread on the end elevation of the fixing screw
Example answer:
gw23prasherrebecca@glow.sch.uk Lanark Grammar School 2025
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