KS3 Science Command Words | FREE EAL/SEND

Help KS3 Science students understand what exam and classroom questions are really asking with this FREE EAL/SEND-friendly Command Words sample.
This 4-page printable worksheet introduces five essential science command words using clear definitions, visual cues, sentence starters and scaffolded practice.
Designed for KS3 students aged 11–14, including EAL/ESL and SEND learners, this free resource can be used independently as a starter, vocabulary activity, intervention task, revision exercise or homework.
What’s Included?
• Visual Command Word Guide – student-friendly definitions, visual cues and sentence starters
• Matching Activity – match each command word to its meaning
• Command Word Recognition – identify what different science questions are asking
• Guided Science Practice – accessible Biology, Chemistry and Physics examples
• EAL Vocabulary Support – simple definitions and structured writing frames
• Describe vs Explain Support – helps students understand this common distinction
• Answer Key & Model Answers – including examples of how to improve a scientific response
Command Words Covered
Identify • Describe • Explain • Compare • Suggest
Students are supported to move from:
Learn → Recognise → Apply → Check
Sentence starters and writing frames help learners structure answers using patterns such as:
“This happens because…”
“Both…”
“…but…”
“It may be because…”
Perfect For
• KS3 Science – Years 7, 8 and 9
• EAL / ESL learners
• SEND students
• Mixed-ability classrooms
• Science vocabulary intervention
• Starter or plenary activities
• Revision and homework
• Independent learning
File Information
• 4 pages
• A4 PDF
• British English
• Printable / no prep
• Includes answer key
• FREE digital download
Want More Practice?
This free sample gives students a useful introduction to scientific command words and provides a preview of the GradeGrove KS3 Science Command Words EAL/SEND approach.
The complete resource provides a wider range of command words, additional scaffolded activities, differentiated practice, sentence starters, science applications and teacher answer guidance.
Download the FREE sample and help students understand the question before they answer it!
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