IB Glossary

Analyse, Evaluate, Discuss, Justify — what do IB command terms really mean? This bilingual glossary helps you understand every scoring keyword precisely.

IB Command Terms

Analysis Terms

EnglishChineseWhat It Means
Analyse分析Break into components, reveal relationships and logic
Compare比较Identify similarities between two or more items
Compare and Contrast比较与对比Identify both similarities and differences
Contrast对比Identify differences between items
Distinguish区分Clearly point out differences between concepts

Evaluation Terms

EnglishChineseWhat It Means
Evaluate评估Make a judgment, weigh strengths and limitations with evidence
Discuss讨论Present balanced views, consider multiple factors, reach reasoned conclusion
Examine审视Inquire deeply into an argument, reveal assumptions
To What Extent在多大程度上Assess the validity of a statement considering evidence and counter-evidence
Justify论证Provide sufficient reasons and evidence to support a position

IB Core Terms

EnglishChineseDescription
Internal Assessment (IA)内部评估Teacher-graded coursework, 20-25% of final grade
Extended Essay (EE)扩展论文4,000-word independent research paper
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)知识论IB core: essay + exhibition
Higher Level (HL)高级课程240 teaching hours, deeper content
Standard Level (SL)标准级课程150 teaching hours
Predicted Grade预估分Teacher's prediction of final score, used for university applications
Grade Boundaries分数线Minimum marks for each score band
Mark Scheme评分方案Examiner's scoring guide

💡 Why Terminology Matters

Many students lose marks not because they don't know the content, but because they misunderstand what the question is asking. Each command term maps to specific marking criteria — understanding them is like having the answer key.

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