Command words and extended writing

Welcome to Command Words and Extended Writing

In Geography B, the questions aren't just asking you what you know; they are telling you how to answer. The "command words" are the instructions that tell you exactly what the examiner is looking for. If you ignore them, you might write a brilliant paragraph but still get \(0\) marks because you didn't follow the instruction!

In this guide, we will break down the \(12\) official command words used by Pearson Edexcel and look at how to tackle those big, high-mark "extended writing" questions. Don't worry if it feels like a lot to remember—once you spot the patterns, it becomes much easier!

The 12 Command Words: Your Secret Code

There are exactly \(12\) command words used across Paper \(1\), Paper \(2\), and Paper \(3\). We can group them by what they want you to do.

Group 1: The "Quick Fire" Words

These usually appear at the start of a section. They are testing your ability to recall facts or pick information out of a resource (like a map or a graph).

• Identify: Pick out a specific piece of information.
• State: Give a piece of information clearly and briefly.
• Name: Give the specific name of a place, process, or feature.
• Define: Give the exact geographical meaning of a word.

Quick Tip: You don't need to write long sentences for these. If it asks you to "Name one type of plate boundary," writing "Conservative" is enough to get the \(1\) mark!

Group 2: The "Skills" Words

These test your AO4 skills (using maps, graphs, and math). You will need your calculator and a ruler for these!

• Calculate: Work out a mathematical answer. Always show your working, as there are often marks for the steps you took!
• Draw/Plot: Add information to a graph or diagram. Use a sharp pencil and be as accurate as possible.
• Label: Add a short note or word to a specific part of a diagram or map to point something out.

Group 3: The "Deep Dive" Words

This is where you start to earn more marks by showing why things happen.

• Describe: Give the main characteristics or the steps in a process. Imagine you are "painting a picture" with words. You don't need to say "why" yet—just "what" it looks like.
• Compare: Look for similarities and differences. To get full marks, you must mention both things you are comparing in your answer. (Example: "A is bigger whereas B is smaller.")
• Explain: Give reasons how or why something happens. This requires "justification" (proving your point). Use "connective" words like "because..." or "this leads to...".
• Suggest: This is like "Explain," but you are applying your knowledge to a new situation or a photo you haven't seen before. Give a reasoned reason for how or why something might be happening.

Group 4: The "Big Marks" (Extended Writing)

These words are used for the \(8\)-mark and \(12\)-mark questions. They want you to weigh up different sides of an argument.

• Assess: Use evidence to figure out the relative significance. This means you need to decide which factor is the most important.
• Evaluate: Measure the success or value of something. You must provide a "substantiated judgement"—this is just a fancy way of saying "a conclusion backed up by facts."

Quick Review: If the question says Describe, don't waste time saying "why." If it says Explain, you must give reasons!

Mastering Extended Writing

In Geography B, you will face two main types of extended writing. These questions are where you can really show off your geographical brain!

The 8-Mark Question

These appear in Paper \(1\), Paper \(2\), and Paper \(3\). They often use the word Assess.

How to tackle it:
1. Structure: Aim for two or three clear paragraphs.
2. The PEEL Method:
• Point: Make a clear point.
• Evidence: Use a fact or a case study detail (e.g., a specific fact about a tropical cyclone).
• Explain: Explain how this evidence proves your point.
• Link: Link it back to the question and say how important it is compared to other things.

The 12-Mark Question (The Decision Maker)

This only happens in Paper 3, Section D. You will be given a booklet of sources about a geographical issue (like energy or forests) and asked to choose one of three options.

The Requirements:
• Consider both physical and human geography.
• Use the Source Booklet provided.
• Make a justified choice—why is your chosen solution better than the others?
• Discuss the impacts on both people and the environment.

Did you know? In the \(12\)-mark question, there isn't usually one "right" answer. The examiners care about how well you argue for your choice using the evidence!

The "Secret" 4 Marks: SPaG

In every paper, there are \(4\) marks available for SPaG. This stands for:
• Spelling
• Punctuation
• Grammar
• Specialist Terminology (Using "Geography words" like "biodiversity," "urbanisation," or "convection currents").

Common Mistake: Many students forget that "specialist terminology" is part of SPaG. If you use simple words like "stuff" or "things" instead of "processes" or "factors," you might lose these easy marks!

Summary Checklist for Success

• Read the Command Word: Circle it before you start writing.
• Check the Marks: A \(4\)-mark "Explain" question usually needs two points, each developed once (\(2 \times 2 = 4\)).
• Use Evidence: For Assess or Evaluate, always use a real-world example or a figure from the provided resources.
• Make a Judgement: If the word is Evaluate, you must have a conclusion at the end.
• Watch the Clock: Paper \(2\) is now \(1\) hour and \(45\) minutes long (from \(2026\) onwards), giving you a bit more time for those tricky fieldwork questions!

Key Takeaway: Command words are your roadmap. Following them ensures you spend your time writing exactly what the examiner wants to mark!