Confidence With Long Answer Exam Questions

Many students struggle when faced with a 4 or 6 mark question in an exam, and, feeling overwhelmed, will often leave the question blank. This guide will hopefully give you the confidence to attack those questions head-on and not leave that page blank!

Let`s start by considering Goldilocks. Not very Sciencey, I hear you say, but go with it! If you aren`t familiar with the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, head over to YouTube to remind yourself of this classic children`s story.

Here is your 6-mark question:

Goldilocks trespassed on the property of the three bears. Describe Goldilocks` actions when she found the bears` house, and explain why the bears were angry.

Where do we start?

Step 1: What topic is this question asking me about? Well, that`s easy it is specifically Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Identifying and remembering to focus on the topic makes sure our answers stay concise and to the point - no waffle. It means that half way through we won`t start talking about Little Red Riding Hood.

Step 2: What key words will I need? These are the words that are important and need to go in your answer. Some will come from the question, and some will come from your brain. In this example, words we want to include in our answer from the question are: Goldilocks, trespass, house, bears, angry. We don`t really need to use the word "actions" because you are going to describe them (more on that in Step 3). Words we need to use from our brain, from all that prior knowledge and learning (and revision!) we did, are words like: porridge, eaten, chair, bed, broken, mummy, daddy, baby.

Step 3: What are the command words and how does that affect what I write? This is probably the most important step. Command words tell you what to do. This question has two command words describe and explain. Other examples are words like state, compare, list, draw, evaluate, suggest, calculate...

Students often struggle with the difference between describe and explain. When you describe something you are saying what it is like. What did Goldilocks do? She broke into their house without permission and helped herself to their items, such as eating their porridge, sitting in their chairs and laying in their beds.

When you explain something, you nearly always have to include the word "because' - you are now saying why something is the way that it is. Why were the bears angry? When you explain something, you are often asked to use your own knowledge. Here the bears are angry, because Goldilocks made the bears` beds messy, ate some of mummy and daddy bears` porridge and all of baby bears` porridge, and in addition to that, broke a chair.

Step 4: What sentence starters can I use and how do I like my points for full marks?

Starting answers is usually the hardest part, and the reason that questions are left blank.

Use part of the question to start your answer The bears were angry with Goldilocks because...

You might want to include other ways to link your ideas This means that... This is because... This shows that... However...

Remember that it is quality over quantity in a 6 mark question. If you are really stuck, you can easily pick up a few marks just by writing a few sentences using some of the key words.

Now let`s look at a Science example:

Most of the compounds in crude oil are hydrocarbons.Hydrocarbons with the smallest molecules are very volatile.

Describe and explain how petrol is separated from the mixture of hydrocarbons in crude oil.

Use the diagram and your knowledge to answer this question. (link for diagram: https://ds-content.doublestruck.eu/AG_CHM/Q13S1F08_files_Q/img01.png)

This question is worth 6 marks.

Step 1: Topic - Fractional distillation, organic chemistry, hydrocarbons

Step 2: Key words - From the question hydrocarbons, crude oil, small molecules, petrol. From our brains - high temperature, low temperature, gases, liquids, big molecules, evaporate, condense, heat, fractional distillation, fractions, temperature gradient

Step 3: Command words - Describe - How is petrol separated? What is the process? What happens? Explain - Why does the petrol come out? Why doesn`t it stay as crude oil?

Step 4: Sentence starters and linking ideas -

Petrol is separated from crude oil by a process called...

During this process...

This happens because...

Have a go at answering this question and let me know how you get on!