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Teacher Resource Bank
GCE Philosophy
Other Guidance:
• Glossary of Command Words
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2. Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Philosophy / Other Guidance: Glossary of Command Words / Version 1.0
GLOSSARY OF COMMAND WORDS
For the new specification, we will be using a wider range of command words in
question setting, as we think this will be more helpful to candidates. Below is an
explanation of what each command word requires:
Part A
Where you are being asked to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding
of the relevant subject matter
Define: Where you are being asked to specify the meaning of an expression
Define three of the following attributes of God: omniscience, omnipotence,
transcendence, immanence, supreme goodness.
Illustrate: Where you are being asked to provide clarifying examples
Illustrate the difference between action and mere bodily movement
Contrast: Where you are being asked to highlight differences:
Contrast a priori with a posteriori knowledge, illustrating your answer.
Describe: Where you are being asked to set out relevant characteristics
Describe the tolerant individual, illustrating your answer
Explain: Where you are being asked to set out reasons
Explain two possible justifications for civil disobedience
Outline: Where you are being asked to set out the main characteristics of an
argument or theory:
Outline the argument for design.
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3. Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Philosophy / Other Guidance: Glossary of Command Words / Version 1.0
Part B
Where you are being asked to make reasoned judgements, evaluations and
make a case …
Assess: You are being asked to make an informed judgement; determining the
quality of the relevant reasoning or estimating the worth or of the subject referred to.
Assess the claim that everything we know, we know through experience.
Consider: You are being asked to review a body of information or ideas and form
evaluations on the basis of that review.
Consider the strengths and weaknesses of representative realism.
Discuss: You are being asked to select the salient features of a debate, argument or
idea and to provide an informed commentary on those features.
“Self interest plays no part in genuine morality” Discuss
Explore: Investigate an area of controversy or analyse an idea or theory, drawing out
what is philosophically interesting or problematic about it.
Explore the claim that bodily continuity is a necessary and sufficient condition for
personal identity over time.
To what extent …: You are being asked to select and weigh up the relevant
arguments or evidence and show how those estimations inform your overall
conclusions regarding the subject in question.
To what extent, if at all, do we value art because it informs us?
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