Six Simple Steps to Answer 6 Mark Questions in Science
Below is a grade 7 to 9 question from the CGP, GCSE Combined Science AQA Exam Practice Workbook. Even though it is a grade 7 to 9 question, I want you to see how easy it is for anyone, working at any level to answer such questions. In the last post, I shared six simple steps you can follow to help you answer 6-mark science questions. In this post, I’ll take you step by step through answering a question so you can come out confident on the other side.
From last week’s post, step 1 and 2 was to take a deep breath to help us minimise overwhelm, and read the question twice. Let’s assume we’ve followed these steps.
So, we’ll be starting at step 3.
Step 3: Underline key scientific words and circle the command words.
You will notice that I have underlined the key term cracking. Because the question is focused on the process of cracking. If you wish, you can also underline the terms, fractions or crude oil, if you think that would help you in your answer. But the actual essence of the question is about the scientific process of cracking.
There are two command words in the question. The first one (and probably the main one) is ‘explain’. So, I have circled the word explain. This automatically tells you that you should expand on your answer.
As you continue to read through the question, you’ll notice that there’s another command word. ‘State’. So, I’ve circled this also. State simply means to briefly write down the main point.
Step 4: Check the number of parts to the question.
Now, in reading through the question, I can see that there are actually 4 main parts to the questions.
1) Explain ‘why’ some fractions of crude oil are processed by cracking.
2) Explain ‘how’ some fractions of crude oil are processed by cracking.
3) Give chemical equations
4) State some uses of the products of cracking.
Step 5: Plan your answer.
I am going to plan my answer using the scientific keyword and command words (step 3) and the four parts to the question that I identified in step 4.
I am going to do this using short bullet points. In my plan, I have put cracking at the top to remind me that the question is about cracking.
Cracking
- Useful fuels – supply/demand (that’s your ‘why’ explained – i.e. part 1 of section 4)
- Thermal Decomposition (that’s your ‘how’ explained)
- Hot catalyst (catalytic cracking)
- Gas vapours
- Decane à Ethene + Octane (that’s your equation)
- Petrol, Polymers, Solvents (uses)
From the plan, you can see that all of the bullet points answer the four parts in section 4. So, this is essentially your answer. You just need to make sure that you state and explain where necessary, as per the question. Also, you can see that each of those bullet points equate to at least one mark. Where you have written a balanced equation or have fully explained a concept, you’ll get more marks. This will help you write enough points to attain the marks.
Step 6: Write your answer
Now, let’s write our answer using our plan form step 5. We need to remember that for 6-mark questions, the quality of our written communication is judged. So, we need to write in full sentence and pay attention to our spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
If our sentences are not clear and the examiner cannot understand what we’ve written. We’ll lose marks. I will be writing the answer in bullet points so you can clearly see where the marks will come from. But remember, you must answer in full sentences in your exam; unless you’re running out of time. In which case, you can write clearly and legibly in bullet point format.
6-mark science questions : The answer
- Some fractions of crude oil are processed by cracking to produce useful products [1 mark].
- This helps to meet the demand for short-chain fuels such as petrol as they have a greater demand than supply. [1 mark]
- Long-chain hydrocarbons from fractional distillation are heated & vaporised. The vapours are passed over a hot catalyst (catalytic cracking) or mixed with steam (steam cracking). The reaction is thermal decomposition. [2 marks]
- An example equation is decane → ethene + octane [1 mark]
- The alkanes produced are used as fuels. The alkenes can be used to make polymers e.g. poly(ethene) [1 mark]
Answering 6-mark science questions: conclusion
You will notice from the question that this is a grade 7-9 answer. Yet, once we break down the question using the steps in last week’s and this week’s post, it becomes easy to answer. You should now be able to more confidently answer 6-mark science questions.
Need more help answering science exam questions. Reach out to me at passgcsescience@gmail.com or fill out the contact form below.
