Six-mark questions
Six-mark questions are often the questions that people find the most difficult. In all longer answer questions, but especially the six-mark ones, 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.
Six-mark questions will start with command words such as âD±đČőłŠ°ùŸ±Čú±đ...â or âEłæ±è±ôČčŸ±ČÔ...â.
Some command words are easy to understand such as:
- 'Calculate...' or 'Determine...' for maths questions
- 'Choose...' for multiplechoice 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 confusing. 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 the pH of milk decreases. It does this because...
Explain how and why questions often have the word 'because' in their answer. Describe questions don't.
The number of marks per question part is given in this form [6 marks]. It is essential that you give as many different points in your answer as possible (ideally six), linking these together.
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
Question
Describe the ways in which pathogens can be transmitted. Give examples in your answer. [6 marks]
- direct contact which can be sexual or non-sexual [1 mark]
- dirty water can transmit many diseases such as the cholera bacterium [1 mark]
- when a person who is infected by the common cold sneezes they can spray thousands of tiny droplets containing virus particles to infect others [1 mark]
- undercooked or reheated food can cause diseases like Escherichia coli which is a cause of food poisoning [1 mark]
- via another animal called a vector [1 mark]
- additional marks for correct pathogens and disease [1 mark]
Sample question 2
Question
Describe how we can prevent the spread of disease. [6 marks]
- water can be sterilised by chemicals [1 mark] or UV light [1 mark] to kill pathogens.
- cooking foods thoroughly [1 mark] and preparing them in hygienic conditions [1 mark] kills pathogens
- washing surfaces with disinfectants kills or reduces pathogens [1 mark]
- vaccinations introduce a small or weakened version of a pathogen into your body [1 mark] so your immune system learns how to defend itself [1 mark]
- using barrier contraception like condoms stops the transfer of bodily fluids and so sexually transmitted diseases [1 mark]
- additional marks for other examples of correct disease and prevention strategy [1 mark]
Sample question 3
Question
Describe the process of making monoclonal antibodies. [6 marks]
- an antigen is injected into a mouse [1 mark]
- the mouse naturally produces lymphocytes [1 mark]
- these produce antibodies specific to the antigen [1 mark]
- spleen cells containing lymphocytes are removed during a small operation [1 mark]
- the spleen cells are fused with cancerous white blood cells called myeloma cells [1 mark]
- these form hybridoma cells called which divide indefinitely [1 mark]
- they produce millions of monoclonal antibodies specific to the original antigen [1 mark]
Sample question 4
Question
Describe how non-specific human defence systems stop you from falling ill. [6 marks]
- your skin covers almost all parts of your body to prevent infection from pathogens [1 mark]
- your nose has hairs within them which act as a physical barrier to infection [1 mark]
- mucus is produced by goblet cells in your nose, throat and trachea [1 mark]
- mucus traps dust and pathogens [1 mark]
- pathogens in mucus are wafted by ciliated cells to your throat and swallowed [1 mark]
- these form hybridoma cells called which divide indefinitely [1 mark]
- stomach acid kills pathogens [1 mark]