Command words

Command words are the words and phrases used in exams and other assessment tasks that tell students how they should answer the question.

The following command words are taken from Ofqual’s official list. Their meanings are relevant to this subject. We’ve added our own command words and their meanings to complement Ofqual’s list.

Analyse

Separate information into components and identify their characteristics, e.g. analyse the dietary factors that can cause osteoporosis.

Assess

Make an informed judgement, e.g. assess the suitability of each meal for a teenager.

Compare

Identify similarities and differences, e.g. compare the nutritional information of two dishes.

Complete

Finish a task by adding to given information, e.g. complete the table below to explain how heat is transferred to food.

Define

Specify meaning, e.g. define the term PAL.

Describe

Set out characteristics, e.g. describe the controlled conditions when carrying out sensory testing.

Discuss

Present key points about different ideas or strengths and weaknesses of an idea, e.g. discuss the healthy eating guidelines and their importance when planning meals for young children.

Evaluate

Judge from available evidence/examine the good and bad elements, e.g. evaluate which meal is the healthier choice.

Explain

Set out purposes or reasons, e.g. explain how to use a temperature probe to check that cooked food is safe to eat.

Give

Produce an answer from recall, e.g. give four reasons why someone might follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Identify

Name or indicate what something is, e.g. identify two symptoms of food poisoning.

Interpret

Translate information into a recognisable form, e.g. interpret the information from a nutrition food label.

Justify

Support a case with evidence/give reasons, e.g. evaluate which meal is a healthier choice. Justify your reasons.

Name

Give the correct title, term or example, e.g. name two food poisoning bacteria.

State

Express clearly and briefly, e.g. state how food allergens are identified on food labels.

Suggest

Present a possible case/solution, e.g. suggest ways to add dietary fibre to a pizza and apple pie.

Which

Select or give the correct information, e.g. which bacteria are spread by coughing and sneezing?

Why

Give reasons, e.g. analyse the ingredients and method. Why did these faults happen?