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Examination Advice:

Listening and responding exam

The listening and responding section of the examination is worth 25 marks.

The listening examination is presented on cassette and is the first part of the written examination. It is designed to assess your knowledge and skill in analysing information from spoken texts.

In the examination there will be seven to ten texts in Japanese with responses in English or Japanese as specified. The texts will be related to the themes and topics prescribed in the syllabus.

Some texts will be 35-45 seconds in length, and others may be longer, up to 60 seconds. Each text will be heard twice. There will be a pause between the first and second readings during which you can make notes. You will have sufficient time at the end of the second reading to complete your response.

In your answers you will be expected to demonstrate understanding of general and specific information in Japanese. You may be required to identify information related to the context, purpose and audience of the text.

The questions will be in English and you will answer in English or Japanese as specified. Answers in Japanese will be short phrases or multiple choice items.

In preparation for listening skills examinations, listen to as much Japanese as possible. This includes listening to past HSC examination tapes, tapes accompanying textbooks, SBS shows and videos, and other speakers of Japanese. There are sample listening tasks on the NSW HSC Online site.

If you don't understand a section of a listening item, replay it and look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary. Practise making notes while you are listening.

In the exam, read the question for each item before the text is spoken on the tape. Underline key words and try to predict what may be said. During the first reading try to understand the overall message, and during the second reading pick up details you may have missed. You can take notes in Japanese or English. You will have time to work out meanings afterwards, so it is important to jot down all relevant information.

If you have time you can go back to an earlier item, but it is more important to prepare yourself to concentrate on the next item. Don't leave any blanks, and be careful using liquid paper, as many students white out their answers and then forget to go back to them after the liquid paper has dried.

Make sure you write legibly, using a pen, not pencil.

When judging performance in this section, the examiner(s) will take into account the extent to which you demonstrate:

capacity to understand general and specific aspects of texts by identifying and analysing information
capacity to convey the information accurately and appropriately.