German
Home > German > Continuers Course > The Changing World > The World of Work > The world of work: sample reading and responding tasks
The World of Work:
sample reading and responding answers
Type A
Task 1 A job for the future
Type B
Task 2 Response to a letter
Task 1
Question a)
| Marking Criteria | |
|---|---|
| Demonstrates a good understanding of what Klaus' job involves | 2 marks |
| Demonstrates a good understanding of what Klaus' job involves | 1 mark |
Sample answer: Surfing the web for interesting websites, keeping himself informed of the latest European sports results, writing online articles.
Question b)
| Marking Criteria | |
|---|---|
| Demonstrates a good understanding of how Klaus came to be in the job | 2 marks |
| Demonstrates some understanding of how Klaus came to be in the job | 1 mark |
Sample answer: He was financing his studies as an engineer, working as an editor for the university's web page. He liked the job so much that he applied for a proper position in the field.
Question c)
| Marking Criteria | |
|---|---|
| Demonstrates a good understanding of how Klaus' work compares to that of a newspaper editor | 2 marks |
| Demonstrates some understanding of how Klaus' work compares to that of a newspaper editor | 1 mark |
Sample answer: Online editorials are much more up-to-date - the texts can be read immediately. Readers can also email their opinions to Klaus straight away.
Question d)
| Marking Criteria | |
|---|---|
| Demonstrates an excellent understanding about whether or not Klaus will stay on, with detailed reference to the text. | 3 marks |
| Demonstrates a good understanding about whether or not Klaus will stay on, with some reference to the text. | 2 marks |
| Demonstrates some understanding about whether or not Klaus will stay on. | 1 mark |
Sample answer: I don't think Klaus will stay on long-term. On the positive side, he enjoys the job, likes the variety and the pay is good. On the negative side, there's a lot of pressure to get things done on time, and there's a lot of overtime, especially on weekends. He says it became obvious to him very quickly that he couldn't do this job if he gets married and has children, as there would be no time for his private life.
Total: 9 marks
Task 2
In this question you are required to read a letter from a friend. You have to show you understand this written text by identifying and analysing the relevant information contained in it. You then have to write an appropriate response of 150—200 words in German.
The question provided you with:
- a purpose: a letter in response to the letter just received
- a context: giving advice, responding to and commenting on the situations described in the letter
- an audience: a friend
To answer this question you should use a conversational style and include the appropriate letter format. You would address your friend as "du" and his/her family as "ihr".
You could begin your letter with a reference to the summer holiday your friend has just spent. It is normal in any letter to refer to something your correspondent has mentioned. Or you could write about the busy time you are having with your final exams just around the corner. It is usual to begin any informal letter with a short introduction — you can even use this to lead into one of the particular responses you want to make. As you are being assessed on the relevance of your response, it would be inadvisable to waste your time writing a long, irrelevant introduction. This could easily seem rote learned and is most unlikely to impress the examiner.
In response to the questions, comments and statements made in the letter, your answer should include:
- how you do or don't manage to do so much and if the situation has changed with your exams so close.
- advice to your friend on how he/she can keep a good balance between work and leisure.
- whether you still have your job in the department store.
- if you are still going to Germany next year (you could also include a mention of your savings at this point).
Your friend has told you how much he/she is looking forward to seeing you. This also suggests some sort of comment could be appropriate. You might respond to this in the closing part of your letter.
Although the points given follow the order in which the issues were raised in the text, you do not necessarily have to use the same order in your response. However, you must ensure that your answer flows logically.
|