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Writing samples: Biological

The following section includes annotated samples of responses to exam questions - as well as strategies for answering questions based on the command terms. The responses are not from the IB.  They are created specifically for the site.

There is no definitive list of questions for this curriculum - so the list of potential questions below is not exhaustive. The questions are grouped by topic and include both SAQ and ERQ (essay) questions.

SAQs may be asked using the command terms explain, describe, or outline.  To see a list of the SAQs that may be asked on Paper 1 for the biological approach, see this page.

ERQs may be asked using the command terms discuss, evaluate, contrast, or "to what extent" as appropriate.

Please note that I have listed all questions as "one or more" - but there is no guarantee that the IB will not ask for only "one."  It is not possible, however, that the IB would ask for two of anything on Paper 1.

For the ERQ responses, students should include two or more pieces of research. Only one piece of research should be used for responses to SAQs.

Potential exam questions: Generic

ERQs
  • Discuss (or Evaluate or Contrast) the use of one or more research methods in the study of the brain and behavior
  • Discuss (or Evaluate or Contrast) one or more research methods in the study of hormones and/or pheromones.
  • Discuss (or Evaluate or Contrast) one or more research methods in the study of genes and behavior and/or cognition.
  • Discuss two or more ethical considerations in the study of the brain and behavior.
  • Discuss two or more ethical considerations in the study of hormones and/or pheromones.
  • Discuss two or more ethical considerations in the study of genes and behavior and/or cognition.

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Potential exam questions: the brain and behaviour

ERQs

  1. Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more techniques used to study the brain in relation to behavior.
  2. Discuss(or Evaluate) one or more studies of localization of function with regard to behavior and/or cognition.
  3. Discuss localization of function with regard to behavior and/or cognition.
  4. Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of neuroplasticity.
  5. Discuss neuroplasticity with regard to behavior and/or cognition.
  6. Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of the role of neurotransmission on behavior and/or cognition.
  7. Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of neuroplasticity
  8. Discuss neurotransmission with regard to behavior and/or cognition.

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Potential exam questions: hormones, pheromones and behaviour

ERQs
  1. Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of hormones and behavior and/or cognition.
  2. Discuss the role of hormones on behavior and/or cognition, using one or more examples.
  3. Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of pheromones and behavior and/or cognition
  4. Discuss the role of pheromones in human behavior and/or cognition, using one or more examples.

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Potential exam questions: genes and behaviour

ERQs
  1. Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of the role of one or more genes in behavior and/or cognition.
  2. Discuss the role of one or more genes in one behavior.
  3. Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of an evolutionary explanation of one or more behaviors.
  4. Discuss (or Evaluate) one evolutionary explanation of one or more behaviors.

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Potential exam questions: animal research (HL only)

Extension questions may only be asked as ERQs, never as SAQs.

  1. Discuss the value of animal models in research to provide insight into human behavior.
  2. Discuss the value of animal models to provide insight into the role of the brain and behavior.
  3. Discuss the value of animal models to provide insight into the role of hormones and/or pheromones and behavior
  4. Discuss the value of animal models to provide insight into the role of genes on behavior.
  5. Discuss ethical considerations in animal research.
  6. Discuss ethical considerations in animal research on the brain and behavior.
  7. Discuss ethical considerations in animal research on hormones and/or pheromones and behavior.
  8. Discuss ethical considerations in animal research on the role of genes on behavior.

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