This guide explains the common IGCSE English command words and what a full answer to each looks like.
What do IGCSE English command words ask for?
A command word is the verb that tells you what kind of answer earns marks. “Describe” asks what something is like, while “analyse” asks how the writer makes it work. “Summarise” asks for the main points in your own words, and “compare” asks how two things relate.
A student who answers “analyse” with a fluent description has written well but answered the wrong question. The marks follow the task, not the quality of the writing.
Each board words its tasks a little differently, and wording can change between syllabus years. For the exact tasks on your paper, see our qualification pages and the papers overview.
Describe and explain
“Describe” asks you to show the qualities of something, such as a place or a character’s situation. It does not ask for a judgement or for analysis of effect. In a reading task, it checks that you understood what the text shows.
“Explain” goes one step further. It asks you to make something clear by giving reasons, for example why a character acts as they do. A good explanation would help a confused reader understand.
Analyse and evaluate
“Analyse” catches many capable students, because it is easy to answer it with description. To analyse, you pick out the writer’s choices of words, images and structure. You then explain the effect each choice has on the reader.
A full analysis names a feature and explains its effect in this particular text. Our skills guides break this routine into clear steps.
“Evaluate” asks you to weigh something up and reach a judgement, such as how convincing an argument is. Your judgement must be backed by evidence and reasons, not simply stated.
If this is where marks are going missing, a trial hour with an experienced teacher can work on it one-to-one.
Summarise and compare
“Summarise” asks for the key points, rewritten in your own words. The two common mistakes are copying the writer’s phrases and including examples instead of main points. A strong summary is short, selective and clearly your own writing.
“Compare” asks how two texts, characters or poems relate to each other. Linking words such as “whereas”, “similarly” and “by contrast” show real comparison. If your answer splits neatly into two separate descriptions, you have not compared.
Watch for questions with two instructions
Some questions hide two tasks in one sentence. “Explain how the writer creates tension” is really asking for analysis, because of the word “how”. “Describe and comment on” asks you to do two separate things.
Read the whole instruction, not just the first verb. Then check that your answer does every part of it.
How to build the habit
Take a few past questions and underline the command word before answering. Write a short note on what kind of answer it needs, then answer and check yourself. After a handful of questions, this becomes automatic.
Our practice tasks give you material to rehearse on. Our guide to grades shows why the higher bands reward the harder instructions.
How our teachers help
Many students lose marks not from weak English but from answering a different question than the one set. In reading-paper focus tuition, our experienced English teachers read your child’s answers and show exactly where a response drifted from the instruction.
If your child writes well but their reading marks do not show it, book a paid one-hour trial lesson. The teacher will check how they handle command words and start fixing it in the same session.