Overview
In Cambridge International A-Level Economics (9708), command words are not just suggestions; they are precise instructions that dictate the required depth and structure of your answer. Mastering them is the key to moving up the mark bands, as they tell you whether to provide a simple definition, a detailed chain of reasoning, or a balanced judgement. Understanding the difference between 'Analyse' and 'Evaluate' is often what separates a mid-level response from a top-tier one.
The Foundation: Define, State, and Calculate
For Cambridge syllabus 9708, these are the most straightforward command words, typically found in data response questions (Paper 2 and Paper 4) for lower marks. They are a test of precise knowledge and require no padding. Define asks for the formal, textbook definition of a term. State or Identify requires you to pick out a piece of information, often directly from a provided text or chart. Calculate asks you to perform a numerical operation using given data, ensuring you show your workings clearly. For these questions, be concise and accurate; adding irrelevant analysis will not gain you any extra marks and simply wastes time.
Building the Argument: Explain and Describe
For Cambridge syllabus 9708, moving up in complexity, Explain is one of the most common command words in Economics. It requires you to provide detail on how or why something happens, establishing clear cause-and-effect links. For example, explaining how a fall in the interest rate might lead to higher aggregate demand involves a chain of reasoning: lower borrowing costs → increased consumption and investment → rightward shift of the AD curve. Describe, often used with data, asks you to state the key features of a trend or pattern. You should identify the main changes, using statistics from the data as evidence, but you are not yet required to explain the reasons behind them.
Deep Analysis: The 'Analyse' Command Word
For Cambridge syllabus 9708, analyse is a high-tariff command word that signals the need for a detailed, logical examination of an economic issue. It requires you to break down a concept into its constituent parts and explore the relationships between them. This goes beyond a simple explanation by developing a more thorough and rigorous chain of reasoning, often supported by relevant economic diagrams. For instance, to 'Analyse the effects of a tariff on an economy', you would need to deconstruct the impacts on consumers (higher prices, lower surplus), domestic producers (higher revenue, greater surplus), the government (tariff revenue), and society (deadweight welfare loss), explaining each step logically.
Reaching the Top Band: Discuss, Evaluate, and Assess
For Cambridge syllabus 9708, these are the highest-level command words, reserved for the extended essay questions that carry the most marks. They require you to do everything 'Analyse' does, but also to engage in a two-sided argument before reaching a final, supported judgement. Discuss and Assess require you to explore different points of view or arguments surrounding an issue. Evaluate specifically asks you to make a judgement on the importance, success, or value of something. To score in the top level-of-response band for these questions, you must present both sides of the argument (e.g., the case for and against government intervention) and then, crucially, synthesise these points into a concluding verdict that is well-supported by your analysis. A generic list of pros and cons is not enough; you must weigh them up to form a decisive conclusion. For a broader look at these terms across Cambridge subjects, see our general guide to [command words explained](/blog/cambridge-command-words-explained).
Command Words in Different Papers
For Cambridge syllabus 9708, your approach to command words must be tailored to the specific paper and question type. In Paper 1 (Multiple Choice), your understanding is tested implicitly. In Paper 2 and Paper 4 (Data Response), you will see a range from low-tariff words like Calculate and Identify in the early parts to higher-tariff words like Discuss or Analyse in the final part (d). The essays in Paper 2 and Paper 4 almost exclusively use high-tariff words like Discuss, Evaluate, and Assess, which are marked using level-of-response criteria. Understanding how these essays are marked is vital; you can learn more about the specifics of [9708 marking criteria](/subjects/9708) to see how knowledge, application, analysis, and evaluation are rewarded.
Frequently asked questions
This section covers Frequently asked questions — ranked by what Cambridge examiners return to most often in past papers.
What is the real difference between 'Discuss' and 'Evaluate'?
In practice, for 9708 Economics, the required approach is almost identical. Both demand a two-sided argument followed by a supported conclusion. 'Evaluate' places a slightly stronger emphasis on making a final judgement of worth or effectiveness, but a good 'Discuss' answer will do this anyway. Treat them as functionally the same.
How do I show 'Application' in a 9708 essay?
Application means using the context of the question or relevant real-world examples to support your economic theory. Instead of just explaining the effects of a currency depreciation in abstract terms, you might apply it to a specific country mentioned in the question or a recent, known economic event to make your answer concrete.
Can I get evaluation marks without a big final conclusion?
While the concluding summary judgement is essential for reaching the highest evaluation marks, you can and should demonstrate evaluative thinking throughout your essay. This is done by questioning the assumptions of a model, considering the relative significance of a point, or using phrases like 'however, the effectiveness of this policy depends on...'.