Dissecting A Physics Question : What you should know to get full credit in your answers

Most examination boards require you to know these terms set in the questions:

1. Define (the term(s) ...) is intended literally. Only a formal statement or equivalent
paraphrase, such as the defining equation with symbols identified, being required.

2. What is meant by ... normally implies that a definition should be given, together with some
relevant comment on the significance or context of the term(s) concerned, especially
where two or more terms are included in the question. The amount of supplementary
comment intended should be interpreted in the light of the indicated mark value.

3. Explain may imply reasoning or some reference to theory, depending on the context.

4. State implies a concise answer with little or no supporting argument, e.g. a numerical
answer that can be obtained 'by inspection'.

5. List requires a number of points with no elaboration. Where a given number of points is
specified, this should not be exceeded.

6. Describe requires candidates to state in words (using diagrams where appropriate) the
main points of the topic. It is often used with reference either to particular phenomena or
to particular experiments. In the former instance, the term usually implies that the answer
should include reference to (visual) observations associated with the phenomena.
The amount of description intended should be interpreted in the light of the indicated mark
value.

7. Discuss requires candidates to give a critical account of the points involved in the topic.

8. Deduce/Predict implies that candidates are not expected to produce the required answer
by recall but by making a logical connection between other pieces of information. Such
information may be wholly given in the question or may depend on answers extracted in an
earlier part of the question.

9. Suggest is used in two main contexts. It may either imply that there is no unique answer
or that candidates are expected to apply their general knowledge to a 'novel' situation, one
that formally may not be 'in the syllabus'.

10. Calculate is used when a numerical answer is required. In general, working should be
shown.

11. Measure implies that the quantity concerned can be directly obtained from a suitable
measuring instrument, e.g. length, using a rule, or angle, using a protractor.

12. Determine often implies that the quantity concerned cannot be measured directly but is
obtained by calculation, substituting measured or known values of other quantities into a
standard formula, e.g. the Young modulus, relative molecular mass.

13. Show is used where a candidate is expected to derive a given result. It is important that
the terms being used by candidates are stated explicitly and that all stages in the
derivation are stated clearly. ( courtesy , the CIE syllabus)

While all these may be useful , then again they never tell you how will you be scored and what will you need to write to get full credit in your answers. Going through roughly 20 marking schemes I found one thing common and I can bet that rarely a student knows.

Physics is all about cause and effect , nearly all sciences are governed by a cause and effect relationship. In most free-response questions , you'll see that if you follow the way stated below, you would be able to score full marks in your answer.

1. Comment on the cause.
2. State its effect
3. State the conclusion you came up with.

e.g Why does it appear that a charge on a sphere is concentrated at the centre of the sphere?(CIE 9702/4 May/June 2007)

All the field lines are normal to the sphere (Cause )
Which means that they radiate from a single point and are directed radially outwards ( effect)
So as a result if we extend them they would intersect at a common point i.e the centre of the sphere. Therefore the charge is concentrated at the centre as all the field lines seem to originate from the centre of the sphere. (Conclusion)

So you see this was all to this question. And if you've written all these points by keeping the three points I mentioned ( I call them ' The Key' ) , you'll never lose you're marks (strong statement but honest statement).

I also suggest not to rush on to answering the questions without thoroughly understanding what the question is asking. The Key can be useful but you'll often come across questions that would render this method useless. Don't panic , read the question slowly two-three times and try to grab the central idea. Then in your mind, draft a rough answer. Now frame an answer according to THE KEY in mind and you'll get a hang of it. Try this method, it'll help a lot.