How to answer "Complete" questions

Complete means: Fill in the missing information in a table, diagram, equation or sentence.

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

AO1/AO2. · Also phrased as: fill in, finish the table

What the examiner is looking for

  • Add exactly what is missing, in the right place, using correct terms/values.

How to structure your answer

  1. Read what is already there to see the pattern, then fill the gaps consistently (units, state symbols, etc.).

Worked example

Q: Complete the balanced equation: 2H₂ + O₂ → ___ (1 mark)

Model answer: 2H₂O [1].

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting to balance, or leaving off state symbols/units when the rest of the table has them.

Practise it

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