Why State, Describe and Explain cause confusion

State, Describe and Explain are the most common command terms in IB Diploma exams. They require different response types, but many students treat them the same. IB examiners note that candidates:

• Write long explanations when asked to State (wasting time)
• Give reasons when asked to Describe (doing extra, uncredited work)
• Give only a description when asked to Explain (missing the “why” that earns marks)

Getting these three right can make a big difference to your score.

State: short and direct

What it means

• IB definition: Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation
• Objective level: 1 (Knowledge)

What to do

Give a brief, direct answer. No explanation, no “because”, no development. One mark usually means one clear point.

Examples

Question	Good answer	Too much
State the organ that excretes urea.	The kidney.	The kidney excretes urea because it filters the blood…
State the chemical formula of methane.	CH₄	CH₄, which is an alkane and the simplest hydrocarbon…
State one factor affecting enzyme activity.	Temperature.	Temperature—as it increases, kinetic energy rises…

Common mistake

Writing a paragraph when a word or short phrase is enough. You will not get extra marks, and you lose time.

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Describe: what and how, not why

What it means

• IB definition: Give a detailed account
• Objective level: 2 (Application)

What to do

Give an account of features, processes, patterns or structures. Include key characteristics. You do not need to explain causes or reasons unless asked.

Examples

Question	Good answer	Wrong approach
Describe the structure of DNA.	Double helix; two strands; bases (A, T, G, C); hydrogen bonds; antiparallel.	DNA is double-stranded because it needs to replicate…
Describe the trend in the graph.	As X increases, Y decreases; linear relationship.	This happens because of…
Describe the process of mitosis.	Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase; chromosomes separate; two identical cells.	Mitosis occurs because cells need to divide…

Common mistake

Adding “because” and explanations when only an account is required. Save explanation for Explain questions.

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Explain: reasons and causes

What it means

• IB definition: Give a detailed account including reasons or causes
• Objective level: 3 (Synthesis/Evaluation)

What to do

Give reasons and causes. Use “because”, “therefore”, “this leads to”. Link mechanisms to outcomes. Explain why something happens, not just what.

Examples

Question	Good answer	Too weak
Explain why enzymes are denatured at high temperatures.	High temperature breaks hydrogen bonds and other bonds in the tertiary structure, changing the active site shape so the substrate no longer fits.	Enzymes stop working at high temperatures.
Explain the effect of increasing concentration on reaction rate.	More particles per unit volume; more frequent collisions; more successful collisions per second; higher rate.	The rate increases.
Explain why the demand curve slopes downward.	As price falls, consumers buy more (income and substitution effects); lower price increases willingness to pay.	Demand goes down when price goes up.

Common mistake

Only describing what happens without giving reasons. Explain always needs “why” or “how” with cause-effect links.

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Quick reference

Command term	Level	What to do	What to avoid
State	1	Brief, direct answer	Expanding or explaining
Describe	2	Detailed account; what/how	Adding reasons (“because”)
Explain	3	Detailed account with reasons and causes	Only describing

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Based on IB Diploma Programme command terms. Check your subject guide for subject-specific emphasis.