Describe in IB Economics

What your response needs

Overall pattern → specific supporting features → exceptions if relevant.

• Relevant features or trends
• Direction and magnitude where data permit
• Accurate economic variables and time period

A worked economics example

Question: Describe the change in unemployment shown in the data.

An incomplete response: Unemployment changed a lot.

A more complete response:

The unemployment rate rose from 4% to 7% between 2025 and 2026, an increase of 3 percentage points, before falling to 6.5% in 2027.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Explaining causes when only the pattern is required
• Using “increased” without values or dates

Try it yourself

Read the question and its mark allocation before deciding how much detail to include. A response structure helps you organise your answer; it is not a script to memorise.

Practise describe · choose a unit and paper

Compare command terms and assessment objectives · Using Econograms in class

More command term guides

About this guidance

These explanations and examples are original Econograms study guidance. They are not official IB questions or markschemes, and Econograms is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate. Follow the wording and requirements of the question set by your teacher or examination.