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Teacher Resource Bank

GCE Philosophy

Other Guidance:

• Glossary of Command Words

Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Philosophy / Other Guidance: Glossary of Command Words / Version 1.0

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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.

Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Philosophy / Other Guidance: Glossary of Command Words / Version 1.0

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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?