Cambridge A-Level Business 9609: Command Words and Keywords
Cambridge A-Level Business 9609: Command words and keywords
Cambridge International A-level Business (9609) uses the standard Cambridge command words. A-level expects more depth and application to case studies. Extended questions use levels-based marking; evaluation requires justified conclusion.
Command words
| Command word | What to do | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| State | Short answer | Overwriting |
| Identify | Choose from case study | Adding explanation |
| Define | Precise business meaning | Vague |
| Describe | What happens; no “why” | Adding explanation |
| Explain | Why/how; use “because” | Only describing |
| Suggest | Apply to case study | Generic answer |
| Compare | Similarities and differences | Listing separately |
| Analyse | Break down; show relationships | Only describing |
| Evaluate | Judge; conclude with justified decision | No conclusion |
| Assess | Judge importance; conclude | Description only |
| Discuss | Explore aspects; conclude | One-sided |
| Calculate | Work out; show working | Missing working |
| Justify | Support with evidence from case study | Unsupported |
Business keywords
| Term | Use correctly | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Working capital | Current assets − current liabilities | ”Cash” |
| Break-even | Output where TR = TC | ”No profit” |
| Fixed costs | Do not vary with output | Variable |
| Variable costs | Vary with output | Fixed |
| Contribution | SP − VC per unit | ”Profit” |
| Cash flow | Movement of cash | Profit |
| Added value | SP − cost of bought-in materials | ”Profit” |
| Stakeholder | Interested party | Shareholder only |
| Market segment | Group with similar characteristics | ”Customers” |
| Elasticity | Responsiveness | ”Sensitive” |
| Economies of scale | Lower average cost as output rises | ”Bigger is cheaper” |
| Diseconomies of scale | Higher average cost as firm grows | Economies |
| Motivation | Willingness to work | ”Pay” |
| Productivity | Output per worker | ”Efficiency” |
Tips for Business 9609
- Link to case study for application and evaluation
- Evaluate—justified conclusion from your analysis
- Define precisely
- Past papers + mark schemes show acceptable wording
How Tutopiya helps
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Based on Cambridge International A-level Business 9609 syllabus. Check the latest syllabus for your exam series.
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