Why State, Describe and Explain cause confusion

State, Describe and Explain are among the most common MYP command terms. They appear in criterion-based assessments across all subject groups. Many students treat them the same, which leads to:

• Writing too much when asked to State (wasting time)
• Giving reasons when asked to Describe (uncredited work)
• Only describing when asked to Explain (missing the “why” that earns marks)

Getting these right helps you meet the criteria and prepares you for the Diploma Programme.

State: short and direct

What it means

• MYP level: Understand
• Give a specific name, value or brief answer without explanation

What to do

Give a brief, direct answer. No explanation, no “because”, no development.

Examples

Question	Good answer	Too much
State the organ that pumps blood.	The heart.	The heart pumps blood because it contracts and relaxes…
State one factor that affects reaction rate.	Temperature.	Temperature—as it rises, particles move faster…
State the capital of France.	Paris.	Paris, which is known for…

Common mistake

Writing a paragraph when a word or short phrase is enough.

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Describe: what and how, not why

What it means

• MYP level: Understand
• Give a detailed account or picture

What to do

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

Examples

Question	Good answer	Wrong approach
Describe the water cycle.	Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection; water moves between ocean, atmosphere and land.	The water cycle happens because the Sun heats the ocean…
Describe the trend in the data.	As X increases, Y decreases; approximately linear.	This occurs because…
Describe the structure of a cell.	Cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus; plant cells have cell wall and chloroplasts.	Cells have these because they need to…

Common mistake

Adding “because” and explanations when only an account is required.

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Explain: reasons and causes

What it means

• MYP level: Analyse
• Give a detailed account including reasons or causes

What to do

Give reasons and causes. Use “because”, “therefore”. Link mechanisms to outcomes. Explain why something happens.

Examples

Question	Good answer	Too weak
Explain why ice floats.	Ice is less dense than water because the crystal structure has gaps, so it displaces more water than its mass.	Ice floats on water.
Explain why demand increases when price falls.	Lower price means more affordable; consumers buy more (income effect); they substitute from alternatives (substitution effect).	Demand goes up when price goes down.
Explain why leaves are green.	Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light and reflects green, so leaves appear green.	Leaves contain chlorophyll.

Common mistake

Only describing what happens without giving reasons.

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Quick reference

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

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Based on MYP From Principles to Practice. Check your subject guide for criterion-specific requirements.