1. Using SOLO taxonomy to access long answer questions
The specification
The question
The command words
The hexagons
Multi-structural example
Relational example
Extended abstract examples
Student response to the question

2. FOUNDATION MULTI-STRUCTURAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL UNI-STRUCTURAL
Describe the structure of the Earth as a sphere with a thin rocky crust, a mantle and an iron core.
Understand how the movement of tectonic plates results in volcanic activity and earthquakes.
Recall that the movement of tectonic plates is very slow (about 2.5cm per year).
Understand the timescales involved in the movement of continents.
Recognise that: many theories have been put forward to explain the nature of the Earth’s surface.
Earth scientists accept the theory of plate
tectonics.
MULTI-STRUCTURAL
MULTI-STRUCTURAL
UNI-STRUCTURAL
MULTI-STRUCTURAL
MULTI-STRUCTURAL
UNI-STRUCTURAL

3. STANDARD MULTI-STRUCTURAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL RELATIONAL RELATIONAL
Describe the lithosphere as the (relatively) cold rigid outer part of the Earth that includes the crust and part of the mantle.
Describe the lithosphere as made of tectonic plates that are less dense than the mantle below.
Explain the problems associated with studying the structure of the Earth:
• crust is too thick to drill through
• the need to use seismic waves produced by earthquakes or man-made explosions.
Explain why the theory of plate tectonics is now widely accepted:
• it explains a wide range of evidence
• it has been discussed and tested by a wide range of scientists.
MULTI-STRUCTURAL
MULTI-STRUCTURAL
RELATIONAL
RELATIONAL

4. HIGHER MULTI-STRUCTURAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL RELATIONAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL
Describe the mantle as the zone between the crust and the core which is:
• cold and rigid just below the crust
• hot and non-rigid at greater depths and therefore able to move.
Describe the theory of plate tectonics:
• energy transfer involving convection currents in the semi-rigid mantle causing the plates to move slowly
• oceanic crust more dense than continental crust
• collision between oceanic plate and continental plate leads to subduction and partial melting
• plates cooler at ocean margins so sink and pull plates down.
Describe in simple terms the development of the theory of plate tectonics:
• Wegener’s continental drift theory (1914)
• continental drift theory not accepted by scientists at the time
• new evidence in 1960s – sea floor spreading
• theory of plate tectonics slowly accepted by the scientific community as subsequent research has supported the theory.
MULTI-STRUCTURAL
MULTI-STRUCTURAL
RELATIONAL
MULTI-STRUCTURAL
RELATIONAL
EXTENDED ABSTRACT

5. The Question
Describe the theory of plate tectonics, what happens at plate boundaries and explain why Wegener's theory took so long to be accepted.

6. The Question COMMAND WORDS
Describe the theory of plate tectonics, what happens at plate boundaries and explain why Wegener's theory took so long to be accepted.
COMMAND WORDS

7. A detailed account. More simply – ‘Write down…’ Tell the examiner in your own words
what/ how/ or why something happens; must use words precisely (in scientific
subjects this means using scientific terms).
DESCRIBE
CONNECTIVES:
and in addition as well as also too furthermore moreover apart from in addition to besides
furthermore,
what is more,
in addition,
not only .... but also
another point is that
for example
another

8. EXPLAIN
Give reasons for how or why something happens; you need to give examples.
CONNECTIVES:
cause
because because of since so
due to
due to the fact that owing to
owing to the fact that as
consequence/effect
 therefore so consequently this means that as a result
such ...that
thus
too...for/to
not enough...for/to
so as to
in order that
accordingly
due to this
this is why
for this reason
that being so
on account of this
in that case
giving reasons and grounds
because … because
for example,
for instance,
for one thing,
this includes
such as e.g.. (for example)
i.e. (that is)
expert opinion
common knowledge
considered plausible
personal experience
anecdotal

10. HEXAGON EXAMPLE: MULTISTRUCTURAL – SEVERAL IDEAS NOT LINKED

11. HEXAGON EXAMPLE: RELATIONAL – LINKING IDEAS TO EVIDENCE

12. HEXAGON EXAMPLE: RELATIONAL ABSTRACT – LINKING IDEAS TO EVIDENCE

13. STUDENT RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION HAVING USED HEXAGONS AS A PLAN