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GCSE Home EconomicsGCSE Home Economics

IMPROVING PERFORMANCE

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10 Top Tips for GCSE

Prepare fully by using practice questions, past papers and by looking at mark schemes

Read the question to get the general gist

Pick out key words, underline or highlight these

Apply knowledge to question focus e.g. Tom, aged 10, is overweight, Jack is a year old.

Note the mark tariff e.g. Explain… 2 marks or 4 marks will determine how much detail must be given

Give full answers related to the marks available

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10 Top Tips for GCSE (cont’d)

Use necessary subject specific vocabulary e.g. obesity, malnutrition, coronary heart disease, constipation.

Plan and structure answers this will avoid irrelevant

information and repetition. The space provided is to allow for planning, full answers and large writing (in the longer questions it does not necessarily have to be filled).

Be aware of timing to allow for paper completion

Check answers to ensure what is being stated is what is meant

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Key Terminology

Complete

Write down

Describe

Explain

Discuss

Evaluate/Assess

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

Complete

To finish, end, conclude

Complete the following:

a) A ___________________ will not eat any food that is made directly or indirectly from an animal.

b) A deficiency of vitamin _________ can cause night blindness.

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

a) Vegan

b) Vitamin A

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

Write down

Record in writing

Rose, who is 25 years old, eats a diet which is low in non-starch polysaccharides (NSP).

Write down two bowel disorders she may develop.

1 __________________________2 __________________________

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

Disorders may include any two of the following:

Constipation

Bowel cancer

Diverticular disease

Haemorrhoids (piles)

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

Describe

State characteristics of, or relate, in a narrative form.

Describe the work of the Trading Standards Department.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

Description must include some of the following:

Investigates false or misleading claims, descriptions or prices, inaccurate weights and measures and the safety of goods

Helps to enforce legislation

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

Explain

Make meaning clear, in detail (relate to marks available)

Explain what is meant by protein complementation.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

The explanation should include some of the following information:

Two LBV foods are eaten together

The IAA’s which are limited in one are provided by the other

Sufficient IAA’s are provided

Examples are beans on toast, lentil soup and a roll

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

Discuss

Write about in detail, examine or analyse from different viewpoints.

Discuss how a consumer should make a complaint about a faulty toaster bought in the supermarket_______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

Discussion could include the following:

Stop using the toaster

Find the receipt

Return to the supermarket

Ask to speak to the manager

Politely explain the problem

If necessary, seek advice from the CAB

Request a refund

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

Evaluate/Assess

Present evidence to support an argument. Compare, contrast, judge, giving both positive and negative points or strengths and weaknesses.

Tess, a mother of two small children, regularly shops in chain stores. Evaluate this decision for her.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Key Terminology (cont’d)

Evaluation of shopping in chain stores could include some of the following:

Wide variety of items Can change items easily in another branch Can order specific items Some offer a mail order service Know quality of products Competitive prices Size and age guide available Little personal service Products easily identifiable May have long queues[Both positive and negative points must be given]

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DECODING THE QUESTION

Emma is a 14 year old student. She is interested in playing sport.Explain one advantage and one disadvantage to Emma of drinking high energy drinks.

Emma is a 14 year old – must relate to the needs of an adolescent female

Sport – therefore response must consider the needs of a sportsperson

Explain – make meaning clear

One – the number that must be explained

Advantage – benefit

Disadvantage – drawback

High energy drinks – foodstuff that must be commented on

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DECODING THE QUESTION

Sam, a 72 year old pensioner, regularly eats the following breakfast. Assess the suitability of this meal for him.

Sam, a 72 year old– comments must relate to the needs of an elderly male

Regularly – frequently

Assess – give strengths and weaknesses of the meal

Suitability – appropriateness of the meal choice

This – do not make changes

Him – must relate to the needs of Sam

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Finally…

Implement guidelines

Improve performance and achievement