Free-response questions
Free-response questions will appear throughout both exam papers (Breadth and Depth), and at both Foundation tier and Higher tier.
These questions provide answer lines for you to write your answer and may sometimes also provide a blank space for you to draw a diagram or show your working out.
The number of answer lines and the number of marks for the question are guides to the amount of detail to include in your answer. A question worth one mark with only one answer line probably only requires a one sentence answer, or perhaps just a single word or phrase. For questions with more marks and more answer lines you will have to go into more detail or give specific data points, eg:
- the speed of the object decreased (1 mark)
- the speed of the object decreased by 8 m/s (2 marks)
Free-response questions often start with a command word such as 'describe' or 'explain'. It's important to understand the different types of answers required by 'describe' and 'explain'. As a rule of thumb:
- describe what happens, when and where
- explain how and why it happens ("it happens because鈥")
Other command words you might see include:
- 'write down' (give a short answer, without explaining it)
- 'suggest' (use your scientific knowledge and understanding to give a sensible answer in an unfamiliar context)
- 'compare' (write about the similarities and differences between two things)
- 'discuss' (write about the issues related to a topic, and talk about arguments for and against)
Learn about command words with Dr Alex Lathbridge
Listen to the full series on 91热爆 Sounds.
Understanding the different command words in your science GCSE exams.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
The following chart shows some stopping distances for an average car:
a) Describe the relationship between vehicle speed and the reaction distance. [2 marks]
b) State one factor, other than speed, that will affect the braking distance of the car. [1 mark]
OCR 21st Century Combined Science, GCE Physics, Paper J260, 2016 - Higher.
a) As speed increases the reaction time also increases [1] - this is a positive correlation [1].
When answering this question it is important to use the chart in your answer and describe what the chart shows. The chart shows that as speed increases, the reaction time also increases. It shows a positive correlation.
b) Any one from:
- mass of car
- conditions of brakes
- weather conditions
[1]
An important distinction in these questions is between braking and thinking distance. This question asks about braking distance, so any reference to alcohol, driver distraction etc will not get the mark as these are things that affect thinking distance. With braking distance, you need to consider the factors that will affect the speed at which the car stops once the brakes have been applied.
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Explain the difference between vectors and scalars as it applies to velocity and speed. [3 marks]
OCR 21st Century Science, GCE Physics, Paper J259, 2016 - Higher.
The speed of an object does not give indication of a direction [1]. The velocity of an object at a given moment is its speed, together with an indication of its direction [1].
Velocity is a vector and speed is a scalar [1].
There are three marks for this question, so it is expected that you put as much detail as possible. By just stating that velocity is a vector and speed is a scalar you will not receive all the marks. You need to state the difference between a vector and a scalar to complete the response and have the best chance of getting all three marks.