An ionic compound is a chemical compound dissociated into positive and negative ions, but globally neutral (it is a bond that usually involves a metal).
A covalent bond is a bond in which two valence electrons are shared between two non-metals (which is often the case in organic substances). In this type of bond, there must be an electronegativity difference of less than 1.7 on the Pauling scale.
Returning to the question, the first question to investigate is if the substance is simple or compound (all of them are compound).
The next question for the substances is if there's a metallic atom or a carbon atom in the substance.
The next investigation is a confirmation, by calculating the electronegativity difference between the atoms in the substances according to Pauli's scale. If it's under 1.7, it's a covalent bond, so a covalent compound. if not it's an ionic bond, so an ionic compound.
