describe is simply say what you see - don't say why or how.

If you are asked to describe a graph

you simply write what is happening on the graph. Explain means to say why or how. Explaining the
graph means you need to say why the changes occur and what is causing them. Define and state
are very similar and are usually one mark answers. Whereas define usually asks you say what
something is 'define respiration' state usually asks you to give one short statement to answer a
particular question 'state why the heat is increasing - the heat is increasing because respiration is
occuring'.