Classical Hebrew Continuers 2017 HSC exam pack (archive)
2017 Classical Hebrew Continuers HSC paper (archived)
Marking guidelines
Marking guidelines are developed with the examination paper and are used by markers to guide their marking of a student's response. The table shows the criteria with each mark or mark range.
Sample answers may also be developed and included in the guidelines to make sure questions assess a student's knowledge and skills, and guide the Supervisor of Marking on the expected nature and scope of a student's response. They are not intended to be exemplary or even complete answers or responses.
HSC marking feedback
Select from the link(s) below to view feedback about how students performed in this year’s examination.
Use the feedback to guide preparation for future examinations. Feedback includes an overview of the qualities of better responses. Feedback may not be provided for every question.
Feedback on written examination
Students should:
- read the question carefully and pay close attention to the key words, for example, ‘describe’, ‘account for’, ‘analyse’, ‘evaluate’
- refer to the extracts given and to any specific Hebrew words mentioned in the question – they should either define these or explain them
- include reference to commentaries in questions that specifically ask for this
- look to the mark allocation as an indication of the length or depth required for the response; students should remember, however, that the mark value is not an indication of the number of points required.
Students should expect:
- questions based on content, grammar and commentary
- questions from all sections of the course (Bible and Mishnah)
- questions that require them to think critically and consolidate their knowledge from various sources before formulating a response
- questions with a variety of mark values in the short answer sections
- questions requiring them to demonstrate their knowledge of grammatical rules and features, for example, adjectives, construct state
- some Hebrew text in the questions.
Students can prepare for this examination by:
- making sure they are able to translate the prescribed text well. Students don’t have to know the translation of each word, but they should know the key words. They should also be able to explain what is happening in the text
- studying the commentary thoroughly. Even smaller commentaries that may seem insignificant are important. Often students will need to incorporate commentaries in extended responses
- ensuring they are familiar with the terminology that is likely to be used in HSC questions; students should use past examination papers to check this
- consolidating their knowledge of grammatical features; students should practise identifying and explaining these within the prescribed text
- learning the characteristics of the various binyanim. There are usually three points required for each parsing question
- improving their Hebrew vocabulary
- practising unseen texts from past HSC examination papers.
In better responses, students were able to:
- demonstrate a thorough knowledge of both the prescribed text and the commentaries, as required by the question
- show a thorough knowledge of grammatical rules
- identify the three points required for parsing (tense, shoresh, binyan)
- address the specific requirements of the question rather than making general statements
- support their response by identifying specific and relevant examples in the extracts given
- write succinctly, focusing only on relevant information.
HSC exam resources
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Classical Hebrew Continuers syllabus
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