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Advice : Written and Oral Examination

(2 hours including 10 minutes reading time)

 

 

Section I : Response to prescribed text

Part A : Analysis of prescribed text

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About the examination

Part A of the first section of the written examination is worth 15 marks.

It is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the prescribed text and the relationship of the text to the issues. It relates to Objective 2 of the syllabus. You can download the Japanese Extension syllabus from the Board of Studies Selecting this link will take you to an external site. web site.

You will be required to analyse and evaluate aspects of the prescribed text and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

You will be given a short extract from the prescribed text. There will be 4-6 questions on the text. Questions will be phrased in English for responses in English.

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Preparing for the examination

You will need a very detailed knowledge of the four extracts of Gotaifumanzoku by Ototake Hirotada prescribed for intensive study. It is recommended that students read the whole text in English in order to understand the context of the prescribed passages. The title of the English version of the text is "No One's Perfect".

In the examination

For the length of your response, be guided by the mark allocation and the space allotted for your answer. Generally, the higher mark questions require knowledge of, references to and examples from the whole text and how they relate to the prescribed issues rather than just the extract provided.

When words or quotes from the prescribed text are used in the question, show your understanding of them in your response.

Give full explanations and support with examples wherever relevant.

You may use print dictionaries in the written examination.

What the markers are looking for

In your answer, you will be assessed on how well you:

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Part B : response to prescribed text

About the examination

Part B of the first section of the written examination is worth 10 marks.

It is designed to assess your ability to respond personally and creatively in Japanese to the prescribed text. It relates to Objective 2 of the syllabus. You can download the Japanese Extension syllabus from the Board of Studies Selecting this link will take you to an external site. web site.

You will be given a short extract from the prescribed text. The extract will be different from the extract provided in Part A.

In this question, you will be required to respond to an aspect of the prescribed text by, for example:

You will be expected to write a letter, diary entry, description, narrative account or the script of a conversation of approximately 400 ji in Japanese.

The task will be phrased in English and Japanese for a response in Japanese.

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Preparing for the examination

You will need a very detailed knowledge of the four extracts of Gotaifumanzoku by Ototake Hirotada prescribed for intensive study as well as a good knowledge of the story as a whole. It is recommended that students read the whole text in English in order to understand the context of the prescribed passages. The title of the English version of the text is "No One's Perfect".

You should have a detailed knowledge of all the major characters in the text such as their values, beliefs and attitudes and the influence they have had on shaping the life of the author. Learn to empathise with each of the characters and practise writing as they might about aspects of the text and related issues in the text types listed in the Extension syllabus (i.e. article, diary entry, formal letter, monologue, script of a conversation and short essay). The text types listed in the Japanese Continuers Stage 6 syllabus for productive use (marked with *) are also for productive use in the Extension examination.

Follow the format/conventions for the layout of each text type in Japanese. Take note of vocabulary, kanji characters, phrases and expressions that frequently appear in the prescribed text and use them in your responses where relevant. However, avoid reproducing large amounts of text.

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In the examination

You may need to demonstrate the depth of your knowledge of the text as a whole, as well as your understanding of the particular characters, in an extract of the prescribed text.

Be sure that what you write is in keeping with the behaviour, beliefs, values and attitudes of the characters you are presenting in your response, and takes account of any relevant developments in the character.

Decide on the appropriate register and keep to it throughout your response.

Make sure you are familiar with the required text type.

You may use print dictionaries in this section.

What the markers are looking for

In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:

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Section II : Writing in Japanese

About the examination

This is the second section of the written examination. The writing section is worth 15 marks.

This section of the examination relates to Objective 1 of the syllabus and will assess your ability to present and support a point of view about the prescribed issues through the production of an original text in Japanese.

You will be required to give an evaluative response by presenting and explaining or justifying a point of view. You will select one of two questions. Each question will specify an audience and/or a purpose and/or a context. The question will be related to the prescribed issues.

You will be expected to write approximately 600 ji in Japanese. The specified text type will be one of the following:

You may use a dictionary in this section of the examination.

The task will be phrased in English and Japanese for a response in Japanese.

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Preparing for the examination

One of the best ways to prepare for this section of the examination is to practise as much as possible. Remember that in this examination you must present and support a point of view related to the prescribed issues.

Practise writing as much as possible in Japanese. Be familiar with the format/conventions of each text type in Japanese and practise writing in them. Know how to use genkooyooshi (grid paper) and use this when writing practice compositions. Know vocabulary and kanji characters (optional) that relate to the prescribed issues and use them in your writing. Get into the habit of planning your response. When unsure of a word or kanjicharacter, check in the dictionary.

Practise writing at home under exam conditions. Set yourself a time limit.

Carefully go over work handed back by your teacher. If you don't understand some of the corrections made, ask your teacher. Keep your work and read over earlier pieces to see how much progress you have made. Check that you are still not making the same mistakes.

Get into the habit of correcting your own work. Always write a first draft and try to improve it. Keep your first draft and note what you did to improve it, and additional ways it could be improved.

To build up your vocabulary bank, read widely in Japanese. You can read other sections of the prescribed text Gotaifumanzoku e.g. Kokoro no Bariafurii. The soft cover version of the text has furigana on all the kanji characters, making it easier for independent reading.However, you should note that the hard cover version (with furigana on selected kanji characters only) will be reproduced in the HSC examination.

Make a list of key words, kanji characters (optional) and phrases for each prescribed issue, i.e.

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In the examination

Select the question that will best let you demonstrate your skills and for which you are best prepared in terms of vocabulary and knowledge.

Identify the context, purpose and audience of the task and identify what aspects of the topic you have to discuss. Decide on the key points you will develop in your writing and jot them down. Make a rough plan of your response (point form is fine). This will give your writing structure.

Check that your plan is really relevant and will allow you to fully address the topic. While writing your response, keep going back to re-read the question to check you are still on the right track.

Try to include a variety of appropriate and relevant vocabulary, kanji characters and grammatical structures. Keep to the required ji length. Use the genkooyooshi (grid paper) correctly.

Always avoid word for word translations from English to Japanese. Think of what you would like to say and how you can express that idea in Japanese.

Your response must be appropriate for the context, purpose and audience.

Check through your response at the end. Ensure that you have been consistent with use of kanji characters, form and tense and that you have followed the conventions and characteristics for the specified text type.

An essay must contain an introduction, main body and a conclusion. It must be formatted into paragraphs. It can present examples to support a point of view. The language is formal (desu/masu form). Arguments should be linked by appropriate words or structures.

An article can describe, inform, persuade, entertain or develop an argument. It has a title and/or headings. Ideas are sequenced and there is often a conclusion or statement of advice. The language can be descriptive, factual, judgemental, emotive or persuasive, depending on the context.

A script of a talk or speech will contain an introductory statement of purpose, an explanation or sequence of events or the presentation of an argument, and concluding remarks. Its purpose can be to communicate ideas and opinions, to entertain, persuade, welcome or thank. The language will be chosen to engage the target audience, and could include descriptive words, a range of tenses, subjective language, the use of slogans or catchphrases and the use of humour and anecdotes.

A formal letter will contain appropriate salutations (e.g. haikei/keigu) and letter conventions (layout, dates etc.). These are not the same as an informal letter and often involve expressions such as doozo yoroshiku onegai shimasu. Its purpose can be to request information, lodge a complaint, or express an opinion etc. The language tends to be objective with some use of formulaic expressions. Full sentences (desu/masu form) and paragraphs are used.

A report is designed to classify and/or describe and contains a general statement/classification and the logical organisation of facts leading to a conclusion. It is usually written in the present tense and the language is objective and specific to the topic. Supporting evidence such as statistics and/or examples is provided.

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What the markers are looking for

In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:

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Advice : oral examination

About the examination

The oral examination is worth 10 marks.

The oral examination will assess your speaking skills. This section of the examination relates to Objective 1 and will assess your knowledge and skill in using spoken Japanese to present and support a point of view.

Your responses will be recorded onto a cassette.

You will be given 10 minutes preparation time, during which you may make brief notes on the paper provided. You may refer to these notes in the examination, but should not read directly from them.

You will respond to two questions from a choice of three. The questions will be related to the prescribed issues. You will speak for approximately two minutes on each question. Your responses will be in the form of monologues, in which you will present and support points of view.

You may not use a dictionary in the oral examination.

The questions will be phrased in English and Japanese, for a response in Japanese.

When it is held

The HSC speaking examinations are held earlier than the HSC written examinations. Generally the Extension examination will be held around the same time as the Continuers examination but on a different date. Examination dates are shown on the Board of Studies timetable. Your advice letter from the Board of Studies will notify you of the venue. Contact the Board of Studies if you have not received your examination details one week before the examination.

Take your advice letter to the examination centre. It will help with the registration procedure.

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Preparing for the examination

You should be very familiar with each of the three prescribed issues:

Make a list of sub-topics relating to them and any key words and phrases that will be useful when talking about them.

You should be used to speaking in Japanese. Make sure you are used to recording yourself answering a typical question, and that you are aware of what you can say in approximately two minutes.

Remember that you will be presenting an argument, so get into the habit of underlining key words and recognising what the question is asking you to discuss. You are not expected to merely recall everything you know about a certain topic. You need to develop an argument to support the points you are making.

Practise making general statements that tie your ideas together. The ability to synthesise your ideas or come up with an over-arching statement rather than lots of little disconnected points is a very important skill in making your monologue coherent. This skill is similar to that needed when structuring an essay.

Practise using your preparation time well. Work out whether you are happier making notes in Japanese or English. Get used to jotting down the structure of your talk: key arguments you will make, sequence of ideas and structures you will use.

Practise presenting a monologue, preferably recording it as well and sometimes having someone sit beside you, as the examiner will. Your opening sentence is important, ideally it should state a key element of your stance on the topic or what you are going to discuss. Sometimes, it may be possible to incorporate some of the wording used in the question into your opening statement. Conclude your talk by summarising what you have said or emphasising a key point.

Make a list of helpful sentence links and phrases related to presenting any argument. Practise opening and closing statements.

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At the examination centre

While you may bring refreshments and study materials to the examination centre, nothing may be taken into the actual examination room.

You should be prepared to wait. Some students may have to wait several hours.

You cannot take anything into the examination preparation room apart from pens. You'll be given the examination paper and there will be space for your preparation notes. Use your time wisely; do not attempt to write out the full script of your talk.

You cannot take a dictionary into the oral examination.

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In the examination

During your preparation time, read all three questions and decide on the two you will answer. Carefully note what each question is asking you to do. Remember that an English translation appears for each question. Select the questions that will best let you demonstrate your skills in terms of vocabulary and knowledge.

Next, structure your argument by jotting down key headings you will discuss. Sometimes, the structure of your argument will be given in the question but where you are asked a broad question, you must spend a little time thinking about the development of your argument.

Note the points you'll expand on as you develop your argument. You could include a few items of vocabulary and structures you want to use, but be brief.

Check that your two monologue plans address the topic and demands of the question and work out your opening sentences.

When recording your response:

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What the markers are looking for

In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:

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