What is a Command Word?
The hidden instruction that tells you exactly how to answer an exam question.
📘 Summary: A command word, also called an instruction verb or directive term, is the most important part of an exam question. It tells you the cognitive skill you need to use, like describing, explaining, or comparing. For example, if a question says "Describe the water cycle", you must list its parts. If it says "Explain the water cycle", you must describe how and why it works. Knowing these words helps you score higher by giving examiners exactly what they ask for.
1. Common Command Words: From Simple to Complex
Command words are like different tools in a toolbox. For younger students, words like "list" or "define" are common. As you progress through school, you will encounter more challenging words like "analyze" and "evaluate". The table below shows how they grow in difficulty.
| Command Word | What It Asks You To Do | School Level |
|---|---|---|
| Define | Give the exact meaning of a word or phrase. Example: "Define photosynthesis." | Elementary / Middle |
| Describe | Tell me what something looks like or the steps in a process. Example: "Describe the structure of a flower." | Elementary / Middle |
| Explain | Give details about how or why something happens. Example: "Explain why the sky is blue." | Middle / High |
| Compare | Show the similarities and differences between two or more things. Example: "Compare a plant cell and an animal cell." | Middle / High |
| Analyze | Break down a topic into parts and show how they relate. Example: "Analyze the results of the experiment." | High School |
| Evaluate | Judge the value or success of something, giving evidence. Example: "Evaluate the impact of recycling programs." | High School |
2. Real Science: Command Words in Action
Let's see how a command word changes the answer you need to give. We'll use the same topic—gravity—but with three different command words.
- Question A (Describe): "Describe the effect of gravity on an apple falling from a tree."
✅ Correct Answer: "The apple falls straight down towards the ground. Its speed increases as it falls." - Question B (Explain): "Explain why an apple falls from a tree due to gravity."
✅ Correct Answer: "The Earth has a large mass, which creates a gravitational field. This field pulls the apple (which also has mass) towards the center of the Earth. The force of gravity causes the apple to accelerate downward." - Question C (Predict): "Predict what would happen to the apple's fall if there was no air resistance."
✅ Correct Answer: "The apple would fall faster and hit the ground with a greater speed because there would be no air friction to slow it down. Its acceleration would be a constant 9.8 m/s² the entire time."
💡 Tip: Notice how the answer gets longer and more detailed as the command word becomes more complex. Always underline the command word in a question before you start writing your answer.
3. Important Questions About Command Words
Q: What if I don't know what a command word means during an exam?
A: Look for other words in the question for clues. For example, if the question has many steps or parts, it might be asking you to "analyze" or "compare". If it just wants a list, it's probably "state" or "identify". Try to learn the most common command words for your subjects before the exam.
A: Look for other words in the question for clues. For example, if the question has many steps or parts, it might be asking you to "analyze" or "compare". If it just wants a list, it's probably "state" or "identify". Try to learn the most common command words for your subjects before the exam.
Q: Can the same command word mean different things in different school subjects?
A: Yes, sometimes the meaning can be slightly different. For instance, "evaluate" in math usually means to calculate a numerical value, like in $evaluate 3x + 2 when x = 5$. In history, "evaluate" means to make a judgment about the importance of an event. Always think about the subject you are taking.
A: Yes, sometimes the meaning can be slightly different. For instance, "evaluate" in math usually means to calculate a numerical value, like in $evaluate 3x + 2 when x = 5$. In history, "evaluate" means to make a judgment about the importance of an event. Always think about the subject you are taking.
Q: Is "discuss" the same as "explain"?
A: Not exactly. "Explain" asks for reasons and causes. "Discuss" is broader. It often asks you to explain, then give different viewpoints or arguments for and against, and finally come to a conclusion. It is one of the most difficult command words.
A: Not exactly. "Explain" asks for reasons and causes. "Discuss" is broader. It often asks you to explain, then give different viewpoints or arguments for and against, and finally come to a conclusion. It is one of the most difficult command words.
4. Mastering Command Words
Think of command words as the GPS for your answer. They set the destination. A great way to practice is to take a topic, like the formula for speed, and write questions for it using different command words.
📐 Formula Example: The formula for speed is $speed = \frac{distance}{time}$.
State: "State the formula for speed." (Just write the formula).
Calculate: "Calculate the speed of a car that travels 100 m in 5 s." (Do the math: 100/5 = 20 m/s).
Justify: "A car's speed is calculated as 20 m/s. Justify whether this is a realistic speed for a car in a school zone." (Give reasons for your opinion).
State: "State the formula for speed." (Just write the formula).
Calculate: "Calculate the speed of a car that travels 100 m in 5 s." (Do the math: 100/5 = 20 m/s).
Justify: "A car's speed is calculated as 20 m/s. Justify whether this is a realistic speed for a car in a school zone." (Give reasons for your opinion).
🎯 Conclusion: Command words are not just vocabulary; they are the key to unlocking the marks in your exams. By learning to recognize and respond to words like analyze, describe, explain, evaluate, and state[1], you can ensure your answer is always on target, no matter the subject. Practice makes perfect!
Footnote
[1] State: A command word asking for a clear, brief fact, formula, or definition without explanation or examples.