How to answer "Determine" questions
Determine means: Use the data or information given to work out (usually calculate) an answer.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
AO2. · Also phrased as: work out, find (from data)
What the examiner is looking for
- Use the values/graph provided — the answer comes from the data, not memory.
- Show the working and give the unit.
How to structure your answer
- Extract the values you need, substitute into the relevant equation, and evaluate.
Worked example
Q: Use the graph to determine the gradient. (2 marks)
Model answer: Choose two points far apart on the line, e.g. (0, 0) and (5, 20) [1]; gradient = change in y ÷ change in x = 20 ÷ 5 = 4 [1].
Common mistakes
- Quoting a value from memory instead of reading it from the data.
- Using points too close together when finding a gradient.
Practise it
▶ Write a "determine" answer and get it marked instantly (free) →