TIE HoyMaths in English: how to understand the question
Separate a language difficulty from a maths knowledge gap, then work through one question.
How do I start when the English wording blocks me?
Identify the instruction, the given facts and what you must find.
Pearson’s maths guidance separates mathematical vocabulary from command words; use your own course requirements.
Can you show one example?
Original practice: a rectangle is 8 cm long and 3 cm wide. Work out its perimeter.
Perimeter means the boundary: 8 + 3 + 8 + 3 = 22 cm. The area, 24 cm², answers a different question.
What to do
Understand what is being asked before calculating.
Bring
- The actual wording
- Your course or exam-board instructions
Steps
- Circle the command word and the quantity to find.
- List the numbers, units and relationships given.
- Restate the task in a stronger language without changing what it asks.
- Solve and check the requested quantity; ask the teacher about any remaining maths gap.
Basis
Pearson explains mathematical terms and exam commands. The rectangle is an original example, not an exam paper.
More questions
Are “show that” and “write down” the same?
No. Pearson distinguishes full working to reach a given answer from an answer needing no working.
More to read
international school language support→International GCSE grades→IGCSE revision plan→https://www.pearson.com/international-schools/international-schools-blog/2024/06/international-gcse-mathematics-examinations--its-not-just-about-.html