Command words
It is absolutely crucial that you understand the different command words referred to in the Cambridge IGCSE Economics syllabus, as each command word in an exam question requires a different skill that is being assessed. Learning and understanding these command words will help you to comprehend the demands of the questions in the Paper 2 exam and improve the quality of your written answers and time management.
There are nine command words used in the Cambridge IGCSE Economics (0455) course.
Command words are clearly stated in the syllabus content and in Paper 2 examination questions in order to show you the depth of the answer required.
| Command word | Meaning | Examples |
| Analyse | To examine something in detail to show meaning, identify elements, and the relationship between them. | Analyse why astronomers are paid more than farm workers. [4] Analyse the relationship between life expectancy and the net migration rate. [4] Analyse how a government could reduce unemployment. [6] |
| Calculate | To work something out from given facts, figures, or information. | Calculate Country B’s GDP in 2025. [1] Calculate the price elasticity of demand (PED) for product X. [2] Calculate the value of Country A’s primary output in 2024. [2] |
| Define | To give precise meaning to something. | Define economic growth. [2] Define international trade. [2] Define a production possibility curve. [2] |
| Describe | To state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features. | Describe the problem of scarcity in an economy. [2] Describe one benefit of specialisation for workers. [2] Describe one way inflation can affect savers. [2] |
| Discuss | To write about issue(s) or topic(s) in depth in a structured way. | Discuss whether inflation harms a country’s industries. [8] Discuss whether or not the government should impose a carbon tax. [8] Discuss whether or not an increase in a surplus on the current account of the balance of payments will increase living standards in a country. [8] Discuss whether or not inflation will harm producers. [8] |
| Explain | To state the points of a topic or to give characteristics and main features of something. | Explain two advantages of an increase in the occupational mobility of labour. [4] Explain two consequences for firms of a decrease in their country’s unemployment rate. [4] Explain how opportunity cost influences whether a school leaver decides to go to university. [4] |
| Give | To produce an answer from a given source or recall/memory. | Give an example of opportunity cost. [2] Give two examples of fixed costs for a business. [2] Give two advantages of using a mixed economy. [2] |
| Identify | To name/select/recognise something. | Identify two measures of living standards. [2] Identify two reasons why a government may want a lower foreign exchange rate. [2] Identify the difference between external cost and social cost. [2] Identify two examples of capital goods. [2] |
| State | To express something in clear terms. | State one factor that can lead to a decrease in supply of salmon. [1] State two functions of a central bank. [2] State why the government budget is likely to have increased total demand in Country X. [2] |
Teachers can download a PDF version of the command terms for classroom display or student revision. The first page includes all nine key terms, while the remaining pages can be used as classroom posters.
Return to the Exams homepage
