2012 HSC Notes from the Marking Centre – Armenian Continuers
Contents
- Introduction
- Oral examination
- Written examination
- Section 1: Listening and Responding
- Section 2: Reading and Responding
- Section 3: Writing
Introduction
This document has been produced for the teachers and candidates of the Stage 6 Armenian course. It contains comments on candidate responses to the 2012 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 relevant syllabus, the 2012 Higher School Certificate examination, the marking guidelines and other support documents that have been developed by the Board of Studies to assist in the teaching and learning of Armenian.
NOTE: Teachers and students are reminded that in 2013, the revised Armenian Continuers syllabus and examination specifications will be examined for the first time.
General comments
Teachers and candidates should be aware that examiners may ask questions that address the syllabus outcomes in a manner that requires candidates to respond by integrating their knowledge, understanding and skills developed through studying the course.
Candidates need to be aware that the marks allocated to the question and the answer space (where this is provided on the examination paper) are guides to the length of the required response. A longer response will not in itself lead to higher marks. Writing far beyond the indicated space may reduce the time available for answering other questions.
Candidates need to be familiar with the Board’s Glossary of Key Words, which contains some terms commonly used in examination questions. However, candidates should also be aware that not all questions will start with or contain one of the key words from the glossary. Questions such as ‘how?’, ‘why?’ or ‘to what extent?’ may be asked, or verbs that are not included in the glossary may be used, such as ‘design’, ‘translate’ or ‘list’.
Oral examination
General comments
The oral examination for Armenian Continuers consists of two sections: the Conversation and the Discussion. The duration of the oral examination is approximately 7 minutes for the Conversation and approximately 8 minutes for the Discussion.
In the Conversation, the examiner will ask the candidate questions about his or her personal world (for example his or her life, family and friends, interests and aspirations) as it relates to the prescribed topics in the syllabus. Neither the number of questions nor the number of topics covered by the examination is predetermined. The questions the examiner asks may relate to a previous response made by the student or may introduce a new topic. Candidates should answer each question only with information related specifically to the question asked. Candidates are encouraged to respond in such a way that they demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of structures and vocabulary, but not through the inclusion of material irrelevant to the question asked. If they do not understand a question, candidates may ask for the question to be repeated, clarified or rephrased in the language being examined.
In the Discussion, the examiner will ask the candidate a series of questions relating to the student’s in-depth study. The subject of the study will relate to one or more of the prescribed themes or topics and will involve the in-depth study of at least three texts, one of which will be a literary text, such as a novel, play, film or poem. Students should be prepared to discuss issues related to the study as well as the texts or resources studied. They must not bring objects such as photographs, posters and pictures to the examination.
Conversation
Most candidates met the requirements of the task, responding fluently and appropriately to the questions asked. In better responses, candidates responded in detail, giving a range of information and ideas and justifications for their views. It is recommended that candidates avoid using English words in their conversation.
Discussion
A good variety of topics for discussion was presented by candidates. Most candidates were well prepared and met the requirements of the task. It is recommended that reference texts be chosen to reflect the requirements of the syllabus; note the need to have at least one literary text.
Written examination
Section 1: Listening and Responding
Part A
Questions 1, 2 and 3 did not present any particular problems for candidates, who generally answered these questions appropriately.
Question 4
Most candidates answered (a) correctly. Although the text was well understood by most, candidates need to be aware that phrases such as ‘to what extent’ in (b) required some measure of judgement in the response.
Question 5
- The words for ‘20th’ and ‘23rd’ are homophones in Western Armenian. Both interpretations were considered to be correct and marks were allocated accordingly.
- This was a challenging question, as the changing tone reflected a change in the message of the speech. A number of candidates related the tone of the speech to pitch and variation in mood and level, rather than to the message. However, most discerned that the changing nature of the speech related to a change of tone and answered the question adequately.
Part B
Question 6
Most candidates listed the points to be included in the letter.
Question 7
(a) This question elicited several answers that were considered correct. Locations such as ‘restaurant’ and ‘café’ were accepted by examiners, as were places appropriate to the person’s context, such as ‘Mary’s workplace’.
(b) Candidates were required to interpret the text, then justify a position. Many responses simply retold the conversation, rather than using higher-order deduction skills to answer this question adequately.
Section 2: Reading and Responding
Part A
Question 8
(a) Most candidates missed the ‘longest mountain ranges’ in the title of the text and hence did not include this as one of the unique features. Candidates are reminded to consider the whole text in responding to questions. The title is an important feature of any text. Most candidates identified the ‘clean clear air’ as one of the unique features.
Questions 8 (b) and (c) were answered adequately by most candidates.
Question 9
- Very few candidates distinguished the characteristics of each of the writers. Most answered the question, referring directly to the comments made by each writer, but did not deduce the necessary attributes and shortcomings.
- This question required candidates to make a judgement as to the extent of the event’s success and, in so doing, distinguish and deduce the reasons for this success, or lack thereof. The best responses showed an ability to measure judgements and give appropriate supporting evidence.
Part B
Question 10
Most candidates responded satisfactorily to the points raised in the text, showing an appropriate command of the language.
Section 3: Writing
Questions 11–12
Questions 11 and 12 required candidates to observe in their answers the conventions of a particular text type, either an editorial or a speech. These textual conventions were not observed in a significant number of responses. Appropriate structure and use of conventions (audience, context and purpose) assist the coherence, fluency and flow of the text created. Most candidates showed an appropriate command of the language and used a variety of vocabulary and expressions in responding to the requirements of the task.
NSW Government