How to answer biology questions: Evaluate

How to answer biology questions: Evaluate Command Word

Command words such as suggest, explain, describe and analyse are common in GCSE science exams. They tell the student how to answer the question. If you can begin to identify the key command words in practice test papers and use them to guide you in your answer, you will go a long way towards gaining full marks.

In the last post, we looked at the difference between describe and explain, In this post, I will show you how to answer biology questions, with a focus on the command word “Evaluate.”

In evaluation questions, you will be given some facts, data or other information. You will need to use the information provided in the question as well as your knowledge of the topic, as an evidence for an assessment. You should then expand on your viewpoints and add a conclusion.

You may find words such as “however”, “whereas”, “but” and “on the other hand” useful when answering such questions.

To evaluate something. You need to do the following:

• State the pros & cons
• Give your opinion
• Justify your opinion i.e. say why you have that opinion

Here’s a general example. If you are asked to evaluate the use of smartphones, you can say:

• Smartphones have helped us easily get in contact with people far from us via email or instant messaging (your advantage)
• However, the use of apps and social media made people interaction more on the virtual world rather than physical world. So many people are now addicted to their phones (your disadvantage)
• I think overall smartphones are a good thing (your opinion)
• Because it has helped to make things easier and more convenient in increasingly hectic world (your justification)

So, let’s try this with a more scientific example.

Below is an example question from AQA GCSE 2018 Combined Science Biology Specimen paper.

QUESTION: In coronary heart disease (CHD) layers of fatty material build up inside the coronary arteries. This can cause a heart attack.

Statins and stents can be used to reduce the risk of a heart attack in people with CHD.

Evaluate the use of statins and stents in people with CHD.  [6 marks]

Here’s what your answer should look like:

1. Statins can decrease blood cholesterol and slow down the build-up of fatty material in the arteries to let blood flow normally to the heart and cells in the body.
2. On the other hand, statins are drugs that need to be taken regularly and for a long time thus presenting some side effects as well as the time needed for the drug to take effect. 
3. Stents are used to hold open the blocked arteries thus assuring the blood flow to the heart and organs, they tend to be stable for a long time and they allow a rapid recovery time
4. But they can cause risk of infection post procedure as well as a risk of heart, thrombosis or blood clot occurring during surgery.
5. As a conclusion, it is true that both strategies are very helpful however they are invasive even if at different degrees. The use of statins and stents should be considered carefully according to the type of diagnosis for the individual.

As you can see from the model answer, the pros and cons of both statins and stents are considered and words like “on the other hand”, “but” and “however” are used to articulate a proper answer. You will also notice that there is a conclusion at the end of the answer.

Try to aim for at least 2 pros and 2 cons for each method. That way, you will gain four marks just by analysing the advantage and disadvantages alone. Then if you write a conclusion based on a justified opinion, you’ll get another 2 marks, giving you full marks.

I have numbered the answer to help you see how to structure such questions but remember to write in full sentences in your exam.

For this type of questions, according to the content of the answer, the marks can range between a minimum of 0 where no relevant content is given to a maximum of 6 for an answer that presents a detailed and coherent evaluation and a proper conclusion.

Hopefully, next time you see an evaluation question, you will know how to answer such biology questions. Note, however, that this method is not just for biology, it can also be used for chemistry and physics.