IB Chemistry Command Terms

10th grade Chemistry Command Terms (IB MYP)

MYP Science Command term: Definition

Analyse: Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure. (To identify parts and relationships, and to interpret information to reach conclusions.)

Annotate: Add brief notes to a diagram or graph.

Apply: Use knowledge and understanding in response to a given situation or real circumstances. Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in relation to a given problem or issue.

Calculate: Obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working.

Classify: Arrange or order by class or category.

Comment: Give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation.

Construct: Display information in a diagrammatic or logical form.

Define: Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity.

Demonstrate: Make clear by reasoning or evidence, illustrating with examples or practical application.

Describe: Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.

Design: Produce a plan, simulation or model.

Determine: Obtain the only possible answer.

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.

Document: Credit sources of information used by referencing (or citing), following one recognized referencing system. References should be included in the text and also at the end of the piece of work in a reference list or bibliography.

Draw: Represent by means of a labelled, accurate diagram or graph, using a pencil. A ruler (straight edge) should be used for straight lines. Diagrams should be drawn to scale. Graphs should have points correctly plotted (if appropriate) and joined in a straight line or smooth curve.

Estimate: Obtain an approximate value for an unknown quantity.

Evaluate: Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.

Explain: Give a detailed account including reasons and causes. (See also “Justify”.)

Find: Obtain an answer showing relevant stages in the working.

Formulate: Express precisely and systematically the relevant concept(s) or argument(s).

Identify: Provide an answer from a number of possibilities. Recognize and state briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.

Interpret: Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information.

Justify: Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion. (See also “Explain”).

Label: Add title, labels or brief explanation(s) to a diagram or graph.

List: Give a sequence of brief answers with no explanation.

Measure: Obtain a value for a quantity.

Organize: Put ideas and information into a proper or systematic order.

Outline: Give a brief account or summary.

Plot: Mark the position of points on a diagram.

Present: Offer for display, observation, examination or consideration.

Recall: Remember or recognize from prior learning experiences.

Select: Choose from a list or group.

Show: Give the steps in a calculation or derivation.

Sketch: Represent by means of a diagram or graph (labelled as appropriate). The sketch should give a general idea of the required shape or relationship, and should include relevant features.

Solve: Obtain the answer(s) using appropriate methods.

State: Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation.

Suggest: Propose a solution, hypothesis or other possible answer.

Summarize: Abstract a general theme or major point(s).

Verify: Provide evidence that validates the result.

Write down: Obtain the answer(s), usually by extracting information. Little or no calculation is required. Working does not need to be shown.

11th grade chemistry command terms (IB DP)

Assessment objective 1 

Command term - Definition

Classify Arrange or order by class or category. 

Define Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity. 

Draw Represent by means of a labelled, accurate diagram or graph, using a pencil. A ruler (straight edge) should be used for straight lines. Diagrams should be drawn to scale. Graphs should have points correctly plotted (if appropriate) and joined in a straight line or smooth curve. 

Label Add labels to a diagram. 

List Give a sequence of brief answers with no explanation. 

Measure Obtain a value for a quantity. 

State Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation. 

Assessment objective 2 

Command term Definition 

Annotate Add brief notes to a diagram or graph. 

Apply Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in relation to a given problem or issue. 

Calculate Obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working. 

Describe Give a detailed account. 

Distinguish Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items. 

Estimate Obtain an approximate value. 

Formulate Express precisely and systematically the relevant concept(s) or argument(s). 

Identify Provide an answer from a number of possibilities. 

Outline Give a brief account or summary 

Assessment objective 3 

Analyse Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure. 

Comment Give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation. 

Compare Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout. 

Compare and contrast Give an account of similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout. 

Construct Display information in a diagrammatic or logical form. 

Deduce Reach a conclusion from the information given. 

Demonstrate Make clear by reasoning or evidence, illustrating with examples or practical application. 

Derive Manipulate a mathematical relationship to give a new equation or relationship. 

Design Produce a plan, simulation or model. Determine Obtain the only possible answer. 

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. 

Evaluate Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations. 

Examine Consider an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the issue. 

Explain Give a detailed account including reasons or causes. Explore Undertake a systematic process of discovery. 

Interpret Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information. 

Justify Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion. 

Predict Give an expected result. Show Give the steps in a calculation or derivation. 

Sketch Represent by means of a diagram or graph (labelled as appropriate). The sketch should give a general idea of the required shape or relationship, and should include relevant features. 

Solve Obtain the answer(s) using algebraic and/or numerical and/or graphical methods. 

Suggest Propose a solution, hypothesis or other possible answer.