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Family life, home and neighbourhood: Sample answers and marking criteria

Note: These are sample answers only, and do not necessarily represent the only correct answer.

Question 1 (6 marks)

a. Why have Heidi and Udo sent this note to their friends? (2 marks)

Marking criteria

Demonstrates a good understanding of why Heidi and Udo have sent this note to their friends	2 marks
Identifies some relevant information	1 mark

Sample answer

To say that they have moved and to give the new address and phone number
To ask their friends to contact them soon.

b. To what extent are Heidi and Udo happy with their current situation? (4 marks)

Marking criteria

Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the extent to which they are happy with their current situation	4 marks
Demonstrates a good understanding of the extent to which they are happy with their current situation	2‑3 marks
Identifies some relevant information	1 mark

Sample answer
Everything is still in a mess and they can’t find some things, including their plates and a box of DVDs, On the other hand, the pets have settled in – the hamster feels at home and the cat is sleeping on the balcony. The neighbours are very nice. So they are happy and say that everything is going fine.

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Question 2 (13 marks)

a. Why did Alex face a problem when she arrived in Germany? (2 marks)

Marking criteria

Demonstrates a good understanding of why Alex faced a problem when she arrived in Germany	2 marks
Identifies some relevant information	1 mark

Sample answer
She had to wait for two hours for her German family to pick her up because of the bad weather.

b. How did Alex respond to this setback? (3 marks)

Marking criteria

Demonstrates a good understanding of how Alex responded to the setback	3 marks
Demonstrates some understanding of how Alex responded to the setback	2 marks
Identifies some relevant information	1 mark

Sample answer
She didn’t worry. She bought some postcards and her first cup of coffee – doing everything in German. She found everything very interesting and said that the time passed quickly.

c. How will Alex be spending her time in Germany? (3 marks)

Marking criteria

Demonstrates a good understanding of how Alex will be spending her time in Germany Includes mention of her employment with the family	3 marks
Demonstrates some understanding of how Alex will be spending her time in Germany	2 marks
Identifies some relevant information	1 mark

Sample answer
She will be looking after the two girls and speaking to them in English in the mornings. She will also go to a language college so that she can improve her German. In her free time Alex wants to make new friends and meet people from the surrounding neighbourhood.

d. Does Alex have the right attitude to make the most of this experience? Justify your response with evidence from the text, including reference to language and content. (5 marks)

Marking criteria

Demonstrates a perceptive understanding of whether Alex has the right attitude to make the most of the experience Includes reference to both language and content	5 marks
Demonstrates a good understanding of whether Alex has the right attitude to make the most of the experience	3‑4 marks
Identifies some relevant information	1‑2 marks

Sample answer
Yes, she does. Throughout the letter Alex is very positive and makes no negative remarks at all. She says she loves Münster and is really looking forward to her new German experience. Alex was thrilled with the welcome she received from her host family and refers to it as herrlich – “magnificent”. She is very happy with her working conditions and is pleased that she doesn’t have to clean or shop. Alex also says: Bisher klingt also alles echt gut! – “So far everything sounds really great”. She also has the support of her friends and says this has given her courage

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Question 3 (14 marks)

a. Why has Paul written this letter? (2 marks)

Marking criteria

Demonstrates a good understanding of why Paul has written this letter	2 marks
Identifies some relevant information	1 mark

Sample answer
He is on exchange and is sending his class some photos of his new house because it’s too amazing to describe in words alone.

b. Why is he enthusiastic about his room? (3 marks)

Marking criteria

Demonstrates a good understanding of why he is enthusiastic about his room	3 marks
Demonstrates some understanding of why he is enthusiastic about his room	2 marks
Identifies some relevant information	1 mark

Sample answer
It is an attic room with a great view of the forest. Paul has everything he needs, including his own bathroom and television. The room has been nicely painted and is furnished with modern furniture.

c. How do the Hauptmann’s home and surroundings differ from his own? (4 marks)

Marking criteria

Demonstrates a good understanding of how the Hauptmann home and surroundings differ from his own Includes relevant comparisons between the two places	4 marks
Demonstrates some understanding of how the Hauptmann home and surroundings differ from his own	2‑3 marks
Identifies some relevant information	1 mark

Sample answer
Paul lives in a cramped little terrace house in the inner city with practically no backyard. The house in Germany is in the country, on a large piece of land with a forest nearby. They play tennis there in summer and there is room for two horses and eight huskies.

d. Why has Paul fitted in so well in his new situation? Justify your answer with evidence from the text. (5 marks)

Marking criteria

Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of why Paul has fitted in so well	5 marks
Demonstrates some understanding of why Paul has fitted in so well	3‑4 marks
Identifies some relevant information	1‑2 marks

Sample answer
Paul is obviously very flexible – he is prepared to speak German all the time because the other exchange student is French and can’t speak English. He listens to Herr Hauptmann talking about politics, even though he doesn’t understand him. This obviously pleases Herr Hauptmann, because he thinks Paul is a good listener. He helps out with the dogs by taking them for runs in the forest every day. He talks of the two sons as “my two younger brothers” and is looking forward to meeting them. He is clearly keen to be part of the family.

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