How to answer "State" questions
State means: Give a brief, factual answer — no explanation.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
AO1. · Also phrased as: give, name, write down
What the examiner is looking for
- A short, correct fact. One point per mark. No development needed.
How to structure your answer
- Answer directly and move on — do not over-write a 1-mark recall question.
Worked example
Q: State the site of photosynthesis in a plant cell. (1 mark)
Model answer: The chloroplast [1].
Common mistakes
- Writing a paragraph for a 1-mark "state" question and wasting exam time.
Practise it
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