Chinese in Context 2023 HSC exam pack (archive)

Interview

Students should:

• choose a topic for Personal Investigation that is related to one of the issues set for study
• ensure they support their research using relevant and quality texts and sources
• discuss and substantiate a point of view effectively by providing evidence from their research
• reflect on their research findings to help them express opinions or develop new perceptions about their Personal Investigation
• reflect on their research findings to indicate how the research helped them to express opinion/change opinion or develop a new perception about the issue related to the Personal Investigation
• manipulate language to respond in a coherent and logical way to the questions asked
• use a variety of relevant vocabulary, grammar, sentence structures and expressions
• avoid responding with pre-prepared responses that do not address the question asked.

In better responses, students were able to:

• demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the topic chosen for their Personal Investigation
• demonstrate the breadth and depth of their research with the use of a variety of reliable and authentic articles, video clips, and films
• speak fluently and confidently, providing logical and well-structured responses to questions
• substantiate a point of view effectively with appropriate and detailed references to the texts studied
• demonstrate strong ability to summarise, synthesise and analyse information drawn from the research and provide thoughtful reflections on the research findings
• respond using a high level of grammatical accuracy, use sophisticated vocabulary and expressions throughout the interview, for example, 科技的日新月异、语言模型发展如火如荼、摒弃以牺牲环境为代价换来一时经济发展的短视思维
• speak with a clear voice and a calm manner using accurate pronunciation and intonation.

Areas for students to improve include:

• choosing a good research topic that is not too broad or too narrow
• avoiding long and pre-learned responses that do not address the question
• answering the examiner’s questions first before elaborating on their ideas, for example, 我不同意这种看法，因为……
• answering questions with evidence from research findings instead of common knowledge
• making clear that their argument is supported by relevant textual reference
• understanding their arguments to avoid providing contradictory evidence
• avoiding unnecessary repetition of information or ideas
• using a variety of sophisticated vocabulary and formal expressions.

Students should:

• respond in English or Chinese as required by the question
• demonstrate their understanding of the issue(s) raised in the text
• include all relevant details and support their response with reference to the text
• use appropriate vocabulary, expressions and language to address the style of writing required by the question
• use appropriate register when responding in Chinese
• respond within the required word and/or character limit
• respond to the number of texts referred to in the question
• apply the conventions of the text type.

In better responses, students were able to:

• summarise the main points instead of transcribing all the information from the spoken texts (Q1)
• analyse and interpret information accurately and effectively. For example, Zhi Qiang’s feelings can be ‘positive’, ‘excited’, ‘confident’ or ‘certain’ (Q2)
• include all detailed key information to support analysis of the content (Q2)
• synthesise information and ideas effectively rather than directly copying information from the texts (Q3)
• understand the main issues in the texts and respond with clear and insightful reflections. For example, specifying that the traditional value (万般皆下品，唯有读书高) makes Chinese parents insist their children go to university (Q4)
• demonstrate an excellent understanding of the use of language features by identifying what the features are and explaining the effects in the text. For example, the author used statistics ‘55% of Chinese immigrants moved to the rural areas from the city’ to support the claim that migration to rural areas is becoming popular among Chinese-Australians (Q5)
• use detailed textual reference with accurate translation. For example,‘山明水秀，鸟语花香 is ‘beautiful mountains and rivers, singing birds and fragrant flowers’ (Q5)
• identify and respond to all the key information. For example, using recycling bags, setting up plastic recycling stations and refusing to use plastic products are all important information in the text (Q6)
• demonstrate accuracy and sophistication in the use of expressions and sentence structures, for example,‘三百六十行，行行出状元’ (Q4) ‘白色污染，禁塑令，众人拾柴火焰高’ (Q6)
• write a response appropriate to audience, context and purpose
• present information and ideas in a clear and logical sequence.

Areas for students to improve include:

• reading the questions carefully and planning their response
• using the required language to answer questions
• responding to all parts of the question. For example, addressing both reasons and concerns of their decision in their response (Q3)
• avoiding the repetition of the same information and ideas
• avoiding the same explanation when analysing the effects of language features
• explaining the use of a language technique used in the text rather than giving a general explanation
• organising information and ideas effectively to improve the logic and clarity of responses
• making textual reference to the texts to support and justify their opinions
• sequencing ideas and opinions logically and coherently
• responding to the key information and ideas personally and critically
• using a variety of vocabulary and structures to improve the sophistication of the response
• using their own words instead of directly coping information from the written texts
• applying the convention of the text types.

Students should:

• use the conventions of the style of writing required by the question
• use language appropriate for the context, purpose and audience of the question
• use a wide variety of vocabulary, sentence structures and prescribed words and/or characters
• structure the response in a logical and coherent manner
• support their ideas and opinions with appropriate examples
• respond in Chinese as stated in the question
• use appropriate register consistently throughout the response
• use vocabulary, expressions and structures relevant to the issue raised in the question.

In better responses, students were able to:

• use appropriate register and conventions of the text type
• demonstrate their critical thinking abilities by having three arguments in their response
• support their opinions and views with sufficient evidence
• structure their information and ideas logically and cohesively             
• use a wide range of sophisticated vocabulary and structures to address the question, for example, ‘开阔眼界’、‘风土人情’ (Q7).

Areas for students to improve include:

• sequencing the information and ideas in a logical manner
• understanding the key words in the question
• addressing all parts of the question
• substantiating a point of view with appropriate elaboration and explanation
• avoiding the use of pinyin
• editing their work
• planning their time carefully to avoid an incomplete response.