Tools · Biology
VCE Biology command words
The verb in a Biology question tells you what earns the marks. Use this as a quick reference — for worked examples of marks dropped on each one, read the command words guide with examples.
| Command word | What the examiner wants | What you lose if you only state the phenomenon |
|---|---|---|
| Identify / State / Name | A short, specific answer — the correct term or value, nothing more. | Time (and sometimes clarity) by writing a paragraph where one line was wanted. |
| Describe | What happens — the features, steps or trend, in order and in detail. | Marks if you explain why instead of saying what, or skip steps in a process. |
| Explain | Why or how it happens — a cause-and-effect chain, each link stated. | The final mark if you stop at the phenomenon and never reach the effect. |
| Compare | Similarities AND differences, ideally in matched pairs ('whereas', 'both'). | Marks if you describe each thing separately without linking them. |
| Distinguish between | The difference(s) that separate two things, stated explicitly. | Marks for listing facts about each that never contrast them. |
| Evaluate / Justify | A judgement or decision backed by reasoning and evidence. | Marks for giving evidence but never reaching a conclusion (or vice versa). |
| Outline | A brief summary of the main points — more than 'state', less than 'describe'. | Marks by going too deep on one point and missing others. |
| Predict / Suggest | A reasoned expected outcome, linked to the biology — not a guess. | Marks for an answer with no reasoning tied to the concept. |
A study reference compiled by ATAR99, aligned to how VCAA-style questions are marked. It is a guide, not an official VCAA document.
Answer the command word, every time
Practise past-exam-style Biology papers and get your short answers marked against the command word.