IB DP Economics: Command terms and keywords

IB Diploma Programme Economics (SL and HL) uses the standard IB command terms. Economics emphasises Explain, Evaluate, Discuss and To what extent. Diagrams (e.g. supply/demand, AD/AS) must be correctly drawn and used.

Key command terms for Economics

Command term	What to do	Common mistake
Define	Precise meaning	Vague definition
Describe	Account of pattern/trend	Adding explanation
Explain	Reasons; causes; mechanisms	Only describing
Analyse	Break down; show relationships	Surface-level
Compare	Similarities and/or differences	Listing separately
Contrast	Differences only	Similarities
Evaluate	Strengths and limitations; judgement	Description only
Discuss	Range of arguments; balanced conclusion	One-sided
To what extent	Judge degree of validity	Yes/no only
Suggest	Apply to context; propose policy	Textbook recall
Calculate	Numerical answer; show working	No working
Outline	Brief account	Too much detail

Economics keywords (use correctly)

Term	Use correctly	Avoid
Demand	Quantity demanded at each price	”Want”
Supply	Quantity supplied at each price	”Make”
Elasticity	Responsiveness; PED, YED, PES	”Sensitivity”
GDP	Gross Domestic Product; value of output	”Wealth”
Inflation	Sustained rise in general price level	”Prices going up”
Unemployment	Willing and able, seeking work	”Jobless”
Comparative advantage	Lower opportunity cost	”Better at”
Opportunity cost	Next best alternative forgone	”Cost”
Market failure	Misallocation of resources	”Market doesn’t work”
Externalities	External costs/benefits	”Side effects”
Fiscal policy	Government spending and taxation	”Government policy”
Monetary policy	Interest rates; money supply	”Central bank”
Equilibrium	Quantity demanded = supplied	”Balance”
Ceteris paribus	Other things equal	Omitting

Tips for Economics exams

1. Draw diagrams—label axes; show shifts; explain in text
2. Explain—link to theory; use “because”
3. Evaluate—strengths and limitations; real-world context
4. To what extent—conclude with degree; “To a great/limited extent…”
5. Discuss—multiple perspectives; evidence-based conclusion
6. Past papers—check mark schemes for diagram requirements

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Based on IB Diploma Programme Economics subject guide. Check the guide for syllabus-specific command terms.