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5. 2013 HSC Notes from the Marking Centre — Latin Extension

2013 Notes from the Marking Centre – Latin Extension

Introduction

This document has been produced for the teachers and candidates of the Stage 6 Latin Extension course. It contains comments on candidate responses to the 2013 Higher School Certificate examination, indicating the quality of the responses and highlighting their relative strengths and weaknesses.

This document should be read along with:

• the Latin Extension Stage 6 Syllabus
• the 2013 Higher School Certificate Latin Extension examination
• the marking guidelines
• Advice for HSC students about examinations
• other support documents developed by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW to assist in the teaching and learning of Latin in Stage 6.

Section I – Prescribed Text

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• providing a fluent translation which reflected Juvenal’s satiric style using contemporary English idiom (Q.1)
• familiarity with the themes and satiric purpose of the prescribed texts (Q.2, Q.3)
• appreciation of the tone and humour of the prescribed texts (Q.2, Q.3).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• accounting for every word in the extract for translation (Q.1)
• knowledge of cultural, historical or mythological references and their significance in context (Q.2aii and b)
• adhering to the specific requirements of the question, rather than providing a general analysis of the extract, or a mere description when an explanation is called for (Q.2b and c, Q.3)
• presenting a logical and cohesive response to the question (Q.3)
• selecting pertinent quotations or references to the text and integrating them into the overall argument (Q.3).

Section II – Non-prescribed Text

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• awareness of the satiric genre in terms of the tone of the extracts for translation and the intention of the authors (Q.4a and Q.5a)
• familiarity with Juvenal’s satire in terms of content, purpose and techniques (Q.4b).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• demonstrating a consistent understanding of Latin syntax (Q.4a, Q.5a and b)
• demonstrating knowledge of vocabulary in context (Q.4a, Q.5a and b)
• linking typical features of Juvenal’s style to the extract given (Q.4b).