WJEC Biology for AS Level Student Book: 2nd Edition

a plan. This will not only help you organise your thoughts logically but will also give you a checklist to which you can refer when writing your answer. In this way you will be less likely to repeat yourself, wander off the subject or omit important points. You may wish to use diagrams to clarify your answer; if you do, make sure they are well drawn and fully annotated. Examiners do not award marks for individual items of information, but use a more holistic approach: – For 7–9 marks, you should provide most of the relevant factual information with clear scientific reasoning. A piece of writing that answers the question directly, using well- constructed sentences and suitable biological terminology, addressing all three Assessment Objectives will be awarded 9 marks. But the same information with poor spelling, grammar or waffle will only merit 7 marks. – 4–6 marks will be awarded if there are significant omissions. – 1–3 marks will be awarded if there is little factual recall and few valid points, with little use of scientific vocabulary. – 0 marks will be awarded if the question is not attempted or there are no relevant points made. Examination questions are worded very carefully to be clear and concise. It is essential not to penalise yourself by reading questions too quickly or too superficially. Take time to think about the precise meaning of each word in the question so that you can construct a concise, relevant and unambiguous response. To access all the available marks it is essential that you follow the instructions accurately. Here are some words that are commonly used in examinations: ▪ Annotate This means give a short description of a function or make a relevant point about a structure of a labelled part of a diagram. Example: Annotate the diagram of the plant cell, with the functions of the parts labelled. ▪ Compare If you are asked to make a comparison, do so. Make an explicit comparison in each sentence, rather than writing separate paragraphs about what you are comparing. For example, if you are asked to compare the dentition of a cat and a sheep, produce sentences that contrast the two, such as ‘a cat has carnassials but a sheep does not’. ▪ Describe This term may be used where you need to give a step-by-step account of what is taking place. In a graph question, for example, if you are required to recognise a simple trend or pattern then you should also use the data supplied to support your answer. At this level it is insufficient to state that ‘the graph’ or ‘the line’ goes up and then flattens. You are expected to describe what goes up, in terms of the dependent variable, i.e. the factor plotted in the vertical axis, and illustrate your answer by using figures and a description of the gradient of the graph. Example: Describe the variation in DNA content throughout the cell cycle. ▪ Evaluate State the evidence for and against a proposal and conclude whether or not the proposal is likely to be valid. Example: Evaluate the statement that the leaves of xerophytic plants have a smaller surface area than the leaves of mesophytes. In a dry environment, it is likely that leaves have evolved with a smaller surface area to limit transpiration. That conifers have needles and that the leaves of marram grass are long and thin could be used as evidence in support of your argument. ▪ Explain A question may ask you to describe and also explain. You will not be given full marks for merely describing what happens – a biological explanation is also needed. Example: Use the graph to describe and explain the effect of copper sulphate concentration on the rate of reaction of amylase. ▪ Justify You will be given a statement for which you should use your biological knowledge as evidence in support. You should also cite any evidence to the contrary and draw a conclusion as to whether the initial statement can be accepted. Example: Justify the statement that interphase is the longest phase of the cell cycle. Your answer should refer to microscope images of a root meristem that show that at any one time, most of the cells are in interphase. ▪ Name You must give no more than a one-word answer. You do not have to repeat the question or put your answer into a sentence. That would be wasting time. Example: Name the cell organelle responsible for the generation of the spindle fibres in mitosis. ▪ State Give a brief, concise answer with no explanation. Example: State the name given to the model of membrane structure proposed by Singer and Nicolson. ▪ Suggest This word may begin the last sub-section of a question. There may not be a definite answer to the question, but you are expected to put forward a sensible idea based on your biological knowledge. Example: Suggest how the protein in the diagram would be positioned in a plasma membrane. WJEC Biology for AS Level 10