IB Science - Free response question strategies

Quality points are awarded for

Clarity of expression:

clearly written responses- the examiner can read the answer once and get the meaning.  It is not the handwriting that counts, it is the clarity of your answer and ideas.  Be sure to write a logical progression of ideas by  planning your answers so that you write in a clear logical order in each section.  Avoid jumping back and forth in sequences.  Drawings should not have label lines that cross, tables of comparison should be constructed with comparative feature is shown with each item to be compared.

full and complete attempts- all three sections are addressed and clearly indicated ie. 4a, 4b, 4c.  DO NOT MIX SECTIONS FROM DIFFERENT QUESTIONS!

Structure of answer:

logical linking of ideas within at least 2 sections of the question- this is usually seen in the higher point value sections, not in drawings or lists.  These links should be clear ideas, using additional material supporting your explanations or  discussions so you really need to know the meaty details of the syllabus.

 

IB Science - Multiple choice questions

Multiple choice questions come up on practically every Group 4 IB subject - be it physics, chemistry, biology, ecosystems, sports sciences and so on....... Hence thats a lot of marks given as a gift - if you know the right techniques ;)!

Firstly, get familiar with the several types of questions:

Sequence type questions

Sequences are best addressed by reading down the first item in the sequence to eliminate the choices and then proceeding across the sequences until you have only one choice remaining.

For example:

What is the correct order of taxonomic categories from largest to smallest?

1. kingdom--> order--> class--> phylum --> species


2. species--> order--> phylum--> kingdom--> class


3. kingdom--> phylum--> class--> order--> species


4. species--> order--> class--> phylum--> kingdom

Now you have only to choose between the two.  Next look down the second item of the sequence to eliminate the false choice.

1. kingdom--> order--> class--> phylum --> species


2. 
   


3. kingdom--> phylum--> class--> order--> species


4. 
   

Finally you have the answer!

1. 
   


2. kingdom--> phylum--> class--> order--> species


3. 
   

Table type questions

Frequently, it is easier to read down one of the columns and eliminate the items that are not correct.

The questions usually are comparative of structures or functions.

Which of the following shows the correct features of arteries and veins?

artery vein a thick elastic wall thin inelastic wall b thin elastic wall thick inelastic wall c thin inelastic wall thick elastic wall d thick inelastic wall thin elastic wall
so if you read down you can eliminate: artery vein a thick elastic wall thin inelastic wall b thin elastic wall thick inelastic wall c
d and finally:
artery vein
a thick elastic wall thin inelastic wall

Genetics questions

Various type of genetic crosses, pedigrees will be shown here.  How to identify genotypes and inheritance patterns will be illustrated.

• Crosses


• Monohybrid ( single trait)


• Dihybrid (two traits)


• Non-Mendelian crosses


• Sex-linked


• blood types


• codominant- dihybrid


• Polygenic ( multiple genes)

Data based question strategies

See the more detailed post on data response questions.

Graphical presentation questions

See the more detailed post on how to interpret graphs.

I, II, III- type

These questions give you  a combination of three or four options.  The best way to attack is to eliminate the options (I, II, III, IV) you know (feel) are incorrect and then eliminate any answers with those options.  Be ready to accept all the options!

Which of the following are required for proper blood clotting?
I.       Release of thrombokinase from platelets and damaged tissues
II.     Damage to leucocytes
III.   Prothrombin in the plasma
IV.    Fibrinogen in the plasma
A. I only
B. III and IV only
C. I, III and IVonly
D. I, II, III and IV

Since leucocytes are not involved in blood clotting, this option is not required so any answer choice with II is wrong- eliminate D.

Since thrombokinase, prothrombin and fibrinogen are all needed, then C is correct answer.

Image interpretation

The IB will present diagrams, drawings and electronmicrographs in questions.  You will be asked to interpret the image for knowledge about specific details:

-- structure and function of organelles

-mitochondria

-- structure and function of  cells- acini, epithelial (microvilli)

-- prokaryotic vs eukaryotic cells

-- plant vs animal cells

You should be able to accurately measure and calculate the magnification or actual size given relevant information.

Other images to interpret:

-- organs or systems- structure and function

-- food chains, pyramids, cycles

-- metabolic pathways and processes

-- DNA profiles, karyotypes, pedigrees

 

IB Biology - Quick Study Tips

A brief glossary to trigger your memory

-A-

-ASE = enzymes (lactase acts on lactose, lipase acts on lipids)

Axons carry impulse Away from the cell body.

Arteries carry blood Away from the heart.

Active TransPort needs ATP,

Active transport goes  Against the grAdient

Alpha cells in pancreas produce glucAgon to increAse blood sugar levels

"Animals are made of cells" said T Schwann (swans are animals)

Anion is A Negative Ion

-B-

B lymphocytes clone to make plasma cells which make antiBodies against specific antigens


-C-

Cations - Ca is a + ion

Constriction by Circular muscles Contracting - in the arteries when in the Cold, in the iris when in the dark

C and G always have 3 (cytosine and guanine pair up with 3 H bonds in DNA and RNA)

-D-

Diffusion is always Down a concentration graDient

-G-

GA for Gene HbA, GAG in DNA sense strand, GAG in mRNA,  Glutamic Acid in Haemoglobin - for Sickle Cell anaemia.  (see STUV)

-Gen = creation of  (glycogen, fibrinongen, oestrogen)

GlucagON turns sugar ON (increase blood sugar levels by breaking down glycogen to glucose)

-H-

sHort day plants are inHibited by active Pfar-red


-I-



I D-  Insulin Dependent is Diabetes type I

I I- Insulin Immune causes Diabetes type II


-In = proteins (insulin, haemoglobin, pepsin)


INsulin makes glucose go IN to cells (liver and muscles to be stored as glycogen or to be used in respiration)-

Insulin made by Beta cells- (think IB!)

 

-L-

Ligaments hold bones to bones in joints- think about knee injuries

Lagging strand has 3 G's, is 3 prime to 5 prime strand,  has 3 DNA enzymes (DNA polymerase I and  III,  DNA ligase + RNA primase) and replicates DNA in fragments

-M-

Matrix in the Mitochondrion- (see S for stroma)

-O-

-ONE = steroid hormones (progesterone, oestrogen, testosterone)

-OSE = sugars (glucose, sucrose, amylose or starch, cellulose)

Oval window in ear is shaped like a stirrup

Oxygen is made early in phOtosynthesis- photolysis of water in early in LDR and is used late in respiratiOn- electron acceptor at end of electron transport chain

-P-

Photosynthate in the Phloem

Photosynthesis uses NADP/ NAPH+H         (not NAD / NADH+H)

Progesterone : Pro = in favour of , gester = pregnancy, -one = steroid hormone

-R-

Ringer - characteristics of living things (Reproduction, Irritibilty, Nutrition, Growth, Excretion, Respiration)

BohR shift- low pH curves shifts to the Right

-S-

SenSe strand is like the meSSage used to make the  the rubber stamp which is like the antisense strand that is replicated to make the SenSe strand which is the meSSage used to make the rubber stamp to make the meSSage......

STUV- for Sickle Cell anaemia

Gene Hb S, GTG in DNA sense strand, GUG in mRNA, Valine in         Haemoglobin S  (seeGA)

STroma in a chloroplaST- (see M for matrix)

-T-

Tendons hold muscles to bone- think Achilles tendon in ankle.

Transcripition of the anTisense strand of DNA

anTicodon is on t- RNA- same order as anTisense strand of DNA

-V-

Veins have Valves

-W-

WXYZ-

Water in the XYlem (sounds like Zylem)

-Y-

thYmine and cYtosine are pYrimidines (so is uracil)

-2-

2  genetically identical cells made by Mitosis (mi two  sis)  

-3-

3 H bonds between cytosine and guanine (3 rhymes with C and G)

3 g's in LAGGING strand, 3 DNA enzymes work on the 3 prime to 5 prime of lagging strand in  DNA replication making Okazaki fragments

-5-

5 prime to 3 prime direction for replication of new DNA strand and transcription of RNA andtranslation of mRNA to polypeptide.  This is because the 5 prime carbon ( 5 like fingers on your hand) of nucleotides has  phosphates  which bond to the 3 prime carbon of next nucleotide (3 like the 3 bumps on your elbow)

-23-

23 is haploid number of HUMAN gametes (sperm and ovum have one set of chromosomes)


-46-

46 is diploid number of HUMAN cells (somatic cells have two sets of chromsomes)- other organisms have different numbers of chromosomes

IB Biology - Data based question strategies

Data-based questions come up on Paper 2 and 3 all the time. Make sure you study the graph or information given at the start of the question.

Interpretation of graphs & Relationships

Being able to interpret graphs is a skill that you will need for the exams.

The first step is to identify the scales and axes, looking at the units.  Are the scales linear or log scales?    You must show the units in your answers.

After this, pay attention to the lines and relationship of the data:

Are the lines linear (straight?) what is the slope (gradient)?  Positive or negative?  Do the lines cross?  At what point?

Are the lines non-linear?  What is the relationship-  exponential, plateau, inverse, S cureve, hyperbolic, root function?

If you're finding difficulties in doing this, check out how to establish a relationship from a graph.

Sometimes the data does not show a simple relationship.  For example, here are a collection of past paper data base questions.

Calculations

Be sure to give the units in your answers as shown in the graphs and tables.  This may seem complicated but just copy everything after the "/" on the axes or in the heading of tables.  You will lose 1 mark for omitting the units! No reason to throw away a mark when PhewStressit is given to you!

Group 4 Project

Regarding some questions about how the Group 4 Project is assessed, here are some details about what teachers/ supervisors are looking for, and a copy of the assessment criteria.

Assessment.

The Group 4 Project assesses the 'Personal Skills' criterion only. You cannot use it for any other assessment. 6 marks are available in total as shown in the table.

• You and your teams will be observed throughout the project by at least one member of staff.


• They will be making notes about how well you apply the three aspects below.


• You will be interviewed at some point during the project about how you have addressed each aspect, be prepared.


• They will expect to see evidence of these aspects being covered in the exposition.


• Every member of the team will be expected to contribute to the exposition's preparation and delivery.

Your Group 4 Project team will be watched by a supervisor throughout the project who makes judgments about your personal skills (great..). You will all be formally interviewed as a team at some point during the two days. Be prepared for this. They expect to see real evidence of the following things:

• Approaches the project with self-motivation and follows it through to completion.


• Collaborates and communicates in a group situation and integrates the views of others.


• Shows a thorough awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses and gives thoughtful consideration to their learning experience.

A typical Group 4 Assessment Sheet is attached here. Note that the focus of the Group 4 Projects may vary from school to school, but the project fundamentally aims to just 'grade' you on how well you work in a team and tackle a problem independently.
These marks will be determined by the teacher and added to your IA marks for your group 4 subject.

Levels/marks	Aspect 1	Aspect 2	Aspect 3
	Self-motivation and perseverance	Working within a team	Self-reflection
Complete/2	Approaches the project with self-motivation and follows it through to completion.	Collaborates and communicates in a group situation and integrates the views of others.	Shows a thorough awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses and gives thoughtful consideration to their learning experience.
Partial/1	Completes the project but sometimes lacks self-motivation.	Exchanges some views but requires guidance to collaborate with others.	Shows limited awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses and gives some consideration to their learning experience.
Not at all/0	Lacks perseverance and motivation.	Makes little or no attempt to collaborate in a group situation.	Shows no awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses and gives no consideration to their learning experience.

Survival Tips for Freshers' week

Moving in and meeting new people

• It’s likely you’ll be pretty busy during your first week, so get there a few days early so you have time to unpack and settle into your new digs.

• Leave your door open while you unpack your stuff – this is a welcoming gesture and people are more likely to stop by and say hello.

• Get something to use as a doorstop to help with the above - a sign with your name on the door is also good, too.

• As soon as you have met one person, go around with them and knock on everyone else’s door in your block. Hopefully you will be less nervous in a pair and then you can meet quite a few people by going around together.

• Make up your bed as soon as you arrive – this means you can take a rest when you get tired of unpacking and introducing yourself to lots of people.

• Make your room more homey by putting up some posters on the walls.

• Bringing a tin of cakes, cookies or chocolate bars will attract people to knocking on your door instantly!

• Don’t be afraid to start up random conversations with people you just happen to be standing next to while waiting for something – that is how you make your new friends. Chances are, they're just as nervous as you and will welcome the chance to have a conversation without having to start it themselves!

• Get your computer set up so you can put some music on – people will hear it, and talking about favourite songs and bands is always an ice breaker!

• Smiling a lot will make you seem more approachable!

• Try not to worry if everyone isn’t as friendly as you are – it’s likely you won’t get on with everyone you live with. You’re bound to make lots of friends outside of halls so you don’t have to feel like a social outcast!

• Try to go to as many social events as possible. It may be a little tiring, and you're unlikely to remember everyone later, but the more people you meet now, the more you will bump into other people you will recognise and can chat with later on.

• Don't stop talking to random people after freshers' week - keep it up and that way you will carry on meeting new people. As people settle in to the university, they will become more relaxed and not so concerned about keeping up their 'friend-making' behaviour.

Finding out more about your university

• Many universities publish Freshers' Week schedules on their websites or on the Students' Union website. Finding out what’s happening in advance might give you a heads up on what you’ll need for partying the night away!

Socialising

• Make sure you take some cash with you when you first go to the bar - there may not be a cash point nearby.

• Save a few taxi company numbers to your mobile, in case you have no other way of getting back to campus.

• Going out is always a daunting experience for a fresher, as it’s the first time you’ll be going out with different people and meeting more new ones. Hopefully you’ll feel more comfortable once you’ve been out to the bar a few times, and downing a few drinks is certain to help the situation!

• Students in their 2nd and 3rd years will be able to help popint you in the right direction of the best places to hang out. They are also usually the people who are selling tickets for the evening events.

• You will be able to find out about events at your Student Union or you may be able to sign up for email alerts about what's happening around the university.

• Get your tickets early for popular events, as they will sell out quickly and you don’t want to be disappointed!

• For the girls – it’s a good idea to take a pair flat shoes with you whenever you go out. If your high heels start killing your feet (or you are too drunk to walk properly in them!), you will be glad of them.

• If you're off to London, or your Uni is in London, make sure you've got enough credit on your Oyster card before you set off. You don’t want to be queuing for ages at the machine during your night out!

Budgeting

• Don’t sign up for everything at the Freshers’ Fair if they want you to pay up straight away. Put your name down, but think about it first before making any payment.

• Draw up a budget for Freshers’ week. A lot of new students spend too much on alcohol, which means they don't have much cash left over for other activities or for further on in the year. You will find planning ahead will help you in the long term!

• Put on an extra layer of clothes or two during cold days and nights, so you don't need to crank the heating up too high. A hot water bottle is a worthy investment!

Food

• Club together with your roommates so you can buy in staple food such as rice, pasta and noodles in bulk or large quantities at least.

• It’s also worth buying a selection of store cupboard essentials like salt, pepper, herbs, spices, cuppa soups, and other dried foods you use on a regular basis.

• Try to keep some tins of beans, tomatoes, soup and similar foods in case you run out of everything else.

• Eating together as a group can be useful too. For example, if you have a curry or pizza evening, and take turns with your roommates to host it. This means you can rely on at least one of your friends providing dinner at some point during the week!

• During the winter months, you can take it in turns to spend the evening in each others rooms so that you're not heating rooms for just one or two people. You can take turns to have a TV or movie evening in. Even if it’s only once or twice a week and you keep a rota for it, the savings on food and fuel could be quite big.

• Cook more than you need and freeze some for another day – this saves on the fuel you use for cooking.

• Invest in a decent set of sauce pans – cheap ones will only last you so long!

• If your home is quite close to your university, and you're worried about your standard of cooking, you could ask your parents nicely to cook something, then store it in a suitable container(s) and freeze back at uni. You can then defrost it when you feel you need a decent, wholesome meal!

• Doing your grocery shopping online will help you save both time and money. You are more likely to just buy what you need and are subsequently less likely to buy every item or special offer that catches your eye. The delivery cost is usually quite reasonable these days, and you can always order with another roommate if you are concerned about the cost. You’ll be surprised at the amount of money you will save. Shopping online also means you don’t have to cart heavy shopping bags back from the supermarket!

Staying safe

• Always let people know where you are going and who with.

• Ask a friend call you at a certain time to check you're all right if you are out alone or with someone you don't know very well.

• Put at least one person on speed dial in case of emergencies.

• Never, ever leave your drinks unattended at any time.

• If you expect you might have a bit of a wild night, be sure to carry a condom or two 'just in case' anything happens – this applies to both boys and girls! You can get them for free from many health centres and Brook clinics.

• Register with a GP and dentist as soon as you can.

• Make sure to keep both your GP and dentist phone number handy so you can easily find it in case you become unwell or get toothache.

Don’t forget...

• Wear a pair of comfy shoes for the registration meetings, as it’s likely you will be queuing for quite a while.

• Remember to take things like pens and your diary with you to registration, as well as the Freshers' Fair if there is one - it'll help you to keep track of what you've signed up for, and you’ll be able to jot down email addresses, websites and any other useful information.

• Be prepared to queue all day in order give a piece of paper to someone and then get your photo taken!

• Always make sure you carry the correct paperwork and identification to all the registration events, and always make sure you are in the right queue – it will save you time later!

 

The Top 10 Skills That'll Get You a Job

With so many graduates now on the market, employers will look for evidence of skills and work experience which will make you stand out from the crowd. Start gathering them now, so you are ready to impress recruiters.

 

Graduate employers place a lot of emphasis on finding candidates with the right skills and competences for their organisations. Depending on the sector and profession you choose to work in, there could be very specific skills, abilities and knowledge needed to do the job. However, complementing these are general competences and behaviours that are essential for successful working. These are often overlooked by candidates, but they are the things recruitment professionals want to see evidence of.

1. Commercial awareness (or business acumen): This is about knowing how a business or industry works and what makes a company tick. Showing that you have an understanding of what the organisation wants to achieve through its products and services, and how it competes in its marketplace.


2. Communication: This covers verbal and written communication, and listening. It's about being clear, concise and focused; being able to tailor your message for the audience and listening to the views of others.


3. Teamwork: You'll need to prove that you're a team player but also have the ability to manage and delegate to others and take on responsibility. It's about building positive working relationships that help everyone to achieve postive goals and business objectives.


4. Negotiation and persuasion: This is about being able to put forward your way, but also being able to understand where the other person is coming from so that you can both get what you want or need and feel positive about it.


5. Problem solving: You need to display an ability to take a logical and analytical approach to solving problems and resolving issues. It's also good to show that you can approach problems from different angles.


6. Leadership: You may not be a manager straight away, but graduates need to show potential to motivate teams and other colleagues that may work for them. It's about assigning and delegating tasks well, setting deadlines and leading by good example.


7. Organisation: This is about showing that you can prioritise, work efficiently and productively, and manage your time well. It's also good to be able to show employers how you decide what is important to focus on and get done, and how you go about meeting deadlines.


8. Perseverance and motivation: Employers want people to have a bit of get-up-and-go. Working life presents many challenges and you need to show employers that you're the kind of person who will find a way through, even when the going gets tough... and stay cheerful-ish.


9. Ability to work under pressure: This is about keeping calm in a crisis and not becoming too overwhelmed or stressed.


10. Confidence: In the workplace you need to strike the balance of being confident in yourself but not arrogant, but also have confidence in your colleagues and the company you work for.

There are certain words which are key to catching an employer's interest. Mention them in your CV and at interviews and see how impressed they are with your business-speak (but don't go overboard or you'll sound daft).

• initiative


• dynamic


• teamplayer


• proactive


• self-motivated

You can also talk in terms of actions that you achieve through your skills by using good, strong verbs in applications and interviews:

• led


• achieved


• completed


• co-ordinated


• delegated


• delivered


• identified


• presented


• promoted


• reported


• resolved


• organised

• Make the most of university life and extra-curricular activities to develop your general skills.


• Plan early to get relevant work experience and voluntary work which will give you transferables that will make you work ready: have something lined up for each vacation, and get ready for formal placement and internship applications at the beginning of your second year.


• Religiously record the skills you gain and work experience activities you do so that you can pull out good examples on applications and in interviews.


• Network! Use family, friends and contacts to get work experience and to find out more about career areas that interest you.


• Visit your university's careers service: find out whether it runs any employability skills sessions; sign up for relevant courses and workshops; get help from a careers adviser to write a CV that really showcases your competences and abilities.


• Take advantage of careers fairs and employer presentations: talk direct to recruiters to find out what they look for.


• Always do your homework before applying for jobs. Employer research will help you identify the skills and competences a particular organisation places most emphasis on. In turn, you can tailor your application so that it stands out