Suggest is a common IGCSE command word, especially in sciences, geography, and business. It usually means: give a plausible cause, explanation, or solution that fits the context (data, scenario, or passage). You don’t have to prove it – but it must be reasonable and relevant.

What Suggest Means

• Suggest: Put forward a possible reason, method, or outcome that is consistent with the information given.
• Not: Making something up with no link to the question; or giving a vague answer.
• Yes: Using the data or scenario (e.g. “The increase could be due to …” or “One possible cause is …”).

Often there are several acceptable suggestions; the mark scheme will list alternatives. One clear, relevant suggestion is usually enough for 1 mark; more marks need more suggestions or more detail.

How to Answer “Suggest” Questions

• Sciences: “Suggest why the rate increased” → Link to a factor (temperature, concentration, surface area) and a scientific reason.
• Geography/Business: “Suggest one reason for the trend” → Use the data or case study; be specific (e.g. “government policy”, “change in consumer demand”).
• Use phrases like “This could be because …”, “One possible reason is …”, “It might suggest that …”.

Tutopiya’s tutors can help you practise suggest-style questions across subjects so you give the right depth and relevance.

Common Mistakes and How to Improve Your Suggest Answers

Too vague – Give one or two specific plausible reasons (e.g. “This could be because the temperature increased, so the particles had more kinetic energy”). No link to the question – Your suggestion must fit the data or scenario given. Wrong subject or topic – In science, use scientific reasoning; in geography or business, use factors from the syllabus. Over-explaining – For 1 mark, one clear suggestion is often enough. Practise with past paper “suggest” questions and mark schemes to see acceptable answers.

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