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Describing instead of explaining — or explaining instead of describing
“some candidates confused the requirements for describe with the requirements for explain. Explain items were often only partly answered as the candidate had only included a description in their response.”— 1BI0 Paper 1F, June 2024
How to fix: 'Describe' means state what happens — quote data with values if a graph is involved, say what you observe. 'Explain' means give the biological reason or mechanism — always include the word 'because' or 'so that' to trigger the causal link. The marks are separate: description earns 'describe' marks, causation earns 'explain' marks. Check the command word before writing a single word.