Understanding Question Types and Command Words

2. Understanding Question Types and Command Words

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Why This Topic is CRITICAL

• Most students don’t lose marks because they don’t understand the passage

• They lose marks because they misread the question

• In Paper 1:

  • The command word = instruction

  • If you misinterpret it → you answer the wrong thing → 0 marks

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Core Rule

• Every question is telling you EXACTLY how to answer

• Your job:

  • Identify command word

  • Adjust answer style accordingly

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Main Command Words You MUST Master

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1. Identify

• Meaning:

  • Pick out exact answer from text

  • No explanation

• Example:

  • “Identify one sound…”

• How to answer:

  • Copy relevant phrase ONLY

• Common mistake:

  • Writing full sentence or explanation

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2. Give

• Meaning:

  • Provide answer directly (from text or understanding)

• Used in:

  • “Give two details…”

• Rule:

  • Usually separate points required

• Mistake:

  • Writing same idea in different words

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3. State

• Meaning:

  • Short, direct answer

• Similar to:

  • Identify / Give

• No explanation required unless asked

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course

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4. Explain

• MOST IMPORTANT command word

• Meaning:

  • Say what it means + WHY

• Requires:

  • Own words

  • Clear meaning

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Example:

Phrase:

• “scanning desperately”

Bad answer:

• scanning desperately means scanning desperately ❌

Good answer:

• searching urgently / looking anxiously ✅

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Structure for Explain

• Break phrase into parts

• Explain each part

• Combine meaning clearly

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5. Using Your Own Words

• Appears with “Explain”

• Rule:

  • NO copying

  • Synonyms required

• Examiner focus:

  • Meaning clarity, not fancy vocabulary

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Mistakes:

• Replacing only 1 word

• Keeping sentence structure same

• Copying phrases

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course

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6. What Impression / What Effect

• Appears in Q2 (Language)

• Meaning:

  • What feeling/image does writer create?

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What You Must Do

• Identify:

  • Image / idea

• Explain:

  • Impact on reader

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Example:

Phrase:

• “flame red sky”

Answer:

• suggests intense heat

• creates image of burning sky

• gives harsh, uncomfortable atmosphere

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Mistake:

• “it shows the sky is red” ❌ (too literal)

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7. Why Does the Writer Use…

• Meaning:

  • Purpose behind word/phrase

• Focus:

  • Writer’s intention

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Example:

“peer” instead of “look”

Answer:

• shows careful, strained looking

• suggests difficulty in seeing

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8. What Does This Suggest

• Hidden meaning question

• Requires:

  • Inference

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Example:

“He spoke softly”

Answer:

• shows care / concern / calmness

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Mistake:

• Repeating line instead of interpreting

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course

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9. Give Two / Three Details

• Meaning:

  • Separate, distinct points

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Rules:

• Each point:

  • Must be different

• No repetition

• Can be:

  • quoted or paraphrased

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Mistake:

• Same idea written twice = 1 mark only

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10. Summarise

• Appears in Q3(a)

• Meaning:

  • Select main points ONLY

  • No detail, no explanation

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Must Do:

• Shorten information

• Use own words

• Stay within 150 words

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Must NOT Do:

• Copy text

• Add opinions

• Include examples

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11. Imagine You Are…

• Appears in Q3(b)

• Role-based writing

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What Examiner Wants:

• Perspective

• Understanding of text

• Logical response

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Structure:

• Opinion

• Support from text

• Development

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12. Continuous Writing

• Important instruction in summary

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Meaning:

• Paragraph form ONLY

• No bullet points

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Mistake:

• Writing in list format = marks lost

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course

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Advanced Insight (What Top Students Do)

• Instantly recognise:

  • command word → answer style

• Adjust:

  • length

  • depth

  • structure

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Quick Comparison Table

Command	What to Do	Length
Identify	Pick from text	Very short
Give	Provide points	Short
Explain	Own words + meaning	Medium
Effect	Analyse impact	Medium
Suggest	Infer meaning	Medium
Summarise	Select + compress	Long

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Final Rule

• Marks are NOT for:

  • writing more

• Marks are for:

  • answering exact instruction correctly

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course