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Knowing the difference between ‘describe’ and ‘explain’

Two of the most common command words used in GCSE geography exams are ‘describe’ and ‘explain’. It’s important that you know the difference between them, and this article will help you to improve your answers.

Figure 1 A stretch of the River Severn
© Countrywide Images

Students often mix up ‘describe’ and ‘explain’. The distinction is fairly straightforward. ‘Describe’ means to say what something is like. ‘Explain’ means to give reasons for how or why something occurs.

These questions ask you to say what something is like:

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Previous

Case study: Tuvalu’s climate change emergency

Next

Broaden your knowledge: Predicting volcanic eruptions

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