Linking questions
Linking questions span different topics. In linking questions, it is important that you plan your answer and not just rush into it. After all, you would plan an essay or short story before starting. Without a plan it is easy to stray away from the key point and lose marks, get steps in a process in the wrong order or forget key bits of information. Remember to write your answer in full sentences, not bullet points.
One way to answer linking questions is to follow these steps:
- identify exactly what the question is asking (perhaps by underlining key parts)
- identify what the link between the two parts of the question is
- make a short plan of these links (which will form the basis of your answer)
- include as much information as you can to obtain full marks (see below)
The number of marks per question part is given in this form '[4 marks]'. It is essential that you give four different answers if a question is worth four marks. Sometimes you can gain an additional mark by giving the units in a calculation or stating specific data points, eg after twenty-four hours the pH of the milk at room temperature had decreased by 1.2.
Linking questions will start with command words such as 'describe' or 'explain'.
Some command words are easy to understand such as:
- 'calculate' or 'determine' for maths questions
- 'choose' for multiple choice questions
- 'complete' to fill in a gap in a table or graph
- 'define' to give the meaning of an important word
- 'suggest' where you use your knowledge in an unfamiliar situation
The command words 'describe' and 'explain' can be confused. If you are asked to describe a graph, you will be expected to write about its overall shape, whether it is linear or curved, the slope of gradients etc. If you are asked to explain why a pattern or trend is seen in a graph, you will be expected to use your science knowledge not just say what you see (which is a description), eg 'The graph shows that the biodiversity is lower on the school field. This is because鈥'
Explain how and why questions often have the word 'because' in their answer. Describe questions don't.
These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Describe how both the enzymes of the digestive system and its adaptations help break down foods. [6 marks]
Answer six from:
- carbohydrase enzymes break down carbohydrates into sugars
- they are produced in the mouth, pancreas and small intestine
- lipase enzymes break down fats and oils into fatty acids and glycerol
- they are produced in the pancreas and small intestine
- protease enzymes break down proteins into amino acids
- they are produced in the stomach, pancreas and small intestine
- the small intestine is about 4 metres long [1] and has millions of tiny projections [1] called villi [1] which increase the surface area [1] to increase diffusion [1]
[6]
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Describe the similarities and differences between photosynthesis and respiration. [6 marks]
Answer six from:
- respiration: uses glucose and oxygen [1] and produces carbon dioxide and water [1]
- photosynthesis: uses carbon dioxide and water [1] and produces glucose and oxygen [1] - carbon dioxide + water 鈫 glucose + oxygen
- respiration occurs in all living cells
- photosynthesis only occurs in chlorophyll in chloroplasts
- respiration occurs at all times, whereas photosynthesis only occurs in the light
- respiration is exothermic (it releases energy)
- photosynthesis is endothermic (it requires energy)
[6]
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
There are two types of cell division in eukaryotes.
Explain the importance of mitosis in the growth and repair of an organism but meiosis in the production of gametes. [6 marks]
This question combines ideas about mitosis, meiosis, genetic variation and evolution. It is not just a standard, compare the difference between mitosis and meiosis, type question. It has particular focus.
The following is a list of valid points that could be included in your answer:
- Mitosis takes place where it is essential that the daughter cells produced are identical to the parent cells.
- Daughter cells must have the same alleles/variants so that genes can be expressed appropriately.
- The production of identical daughter cells is important in growth, from the embryo, to the foetus, to the mature organism - and in the repair and replacement of damaged and worn out cells.
- Meiosis is a reduction division that produces daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cells.
- This is necessary because otherwise, a gamete would contain the same number of chromosomes as a parent (if they were produced by mitosis), and an organism鈥檚 chromosome number would double every generation.
- During meiosis, there is also an exchange of genetic material between chromosomes as they pair up. This leads to genetic variation in the offspring.
- The genetic variation from sexual reproduction contributes to the survival of a species.
- When DNA is copied, in both types of cell division, mistakes are made - mutations occur. In the case of meiosis, this is the driving force of evolution.
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