Chinese in Context 2024 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:

• make a clear connection between the chosen topic and the relevant syllabus issue
• demonstrate the breadth and depth of their research with the use of a variety of reliable and authentic articles, video clips, and films
• elaborate on ideas with relevant and detailed textual references, such as statistics from research reports, summaries of relevant movie plots, or specific song lyrics
• respond directly to the examiner’s questions in a logical and structured manner, using appropriate conjunctions. For example, use 首先, 其次, and 最后 to sequence ideas, and use 虽然 and 但是 to present contrasting ideas
• use expressions that demonstrate sophistication in language control, for example, 比比皆是, 巾帼不让须眉, 两极分化, 加剧人口老龄化问题
• demonstrate a high level of language accuracy throughout the interview
• speak clearly and calmly, using accurate pronunciation and appropriate intonation.

Areas for students to improve include:

• avoid choosing a research topic that is either too broad or too narrow, for example, 年轻人的关系对他们的影响
• avoiding long, pre-learned responses that do not directly address the question
• making clear references to relevant textual sources, for example, 根据材料……
• avoiding answering questions with generalised information or common knowledge
• avoiding the simple stating of the pros and cons when comparing them, but focusing on explaining why the benefits outweigh the downsides, or vice versa
• avoiding using expressions that are too colloquial, for example, 这些东西.

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:

• select and summarise information from the spoken text that is relevant to the question, rather than transcribing the entire text (Q1)
• explain ‘your decision about what you will do tomorrow’ with specific activities and participants mentioned in the text (Q2)
• answer the question using textual references from both the spoken and written texts provided (Q3)
• demonstrate strong skills in writing a speech script with correct formatting and a consistently persuasive tone (Q3)
• summarise the key information using sophisticated words, for example, 窒息、随处可见、致命的伤害 (Q3)
• understand the main ideas in the text and respond with clear, insightful reflections on the positive or negative impacts of the new policies, for example, 人脸识别摄像头对个人隐私的侵犯 (Q4)
• provide a detailed analysis of the three main issues raised in the text, for example, 人工智能助手可以帮助员工完成重复性的工作 (Q4)
• demonstrate an excellent understanding of language features by identifying them and explaining their effects in the text (Q5)
• focus on evaluating how the idiom ‘落叶归根’ supports the author's strong feelings of homesickness and desire to return to China, rather than simply translating it (Q5)
• identify and respond to all key information, including the advantages and disadvantages of social media use by youth, for example, 网络的光鲜亮丽会迷惑年轻人的价值观，造成他们盲目的攀比心理 (Q6)
• demonstrate the ability to provide solutions to the negative issues raised in the text, for example, 加强网络安全教育、增强安全使用网络的意识 (Q6)
• demonstrate accuracy and sophistication in the use of expressions and sentence structures, for example, 结识到推心置腹、风雨同舟的朋友 (Q6)
• respond to the issues in their own words
• write in an accurate text format with a clear and logical structure, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Areas for students to improve include:

• using the required language to answer questions
• using the correct conventions for different types of text
• avoiding merely translating the texts without answering questions
• avoiding responses with unclear opinions and decisions (Q2)
• avoiding copying directly from the written texts without paraphrasing
• avoiding including too much information that is not mentioned in the texts, for example, 有很多公司为了增加利润，就卖各种各样的塑料产品 (Q3)
• identifying the correct language techniques and understanding their characteristics (Q5)
• sequencing their ideas and opinions logically and coherently.

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 the appropriate register and conventions of the text type
• demonstrate critical thinking by including three arguments in their responses, for example, 缓解思乡之情、增进多元文化的交流、提高华裔身份认同意识 (Q8)
• support their opinions and views with sufficient evidence, for example, 人们中秋节赏月，用嫦娥奔月的故事来营造节日的氛围 (Q8)
• use a wide range of sophisticated vocabulary and structures to address the question, for example, 举头望明月,低头思故乡、海上升明月,天涯共此时 (Q8)
• analyse the topic from multiple perspectives, such as personal and community viewpoints, for example, 通过个人捐款、积少成多、联合动物保护组织 (Q7).

Areas for students to improve include:

• planning and organising their answer logically
• consistently identifying the correct audience and staying focused on the topic
• addressing all aspects of the question, for example, the significance of holding the Mid-Autumn Festival event and its related activities (Q8)
• using a consistent writing style
• understanding the key words in the question
• proofreading and editing their work carefully.