Indonesian Beginners 2015 HSC exam pack

Characteristics of better responses:

• responses were well structured and succinct
• the requirements of the questions were addressed
• the context of the items was correctly identified
• global comprehension of the text was demonstrated
• the candidate’s notes section was used extensively to record details of the texts
• attention was paid to the mark allocations and the appropriate amount of detail was provided
• incorrect multiple-choice options were eliminated, often using a cross to delete an option (Q2 and Q3)
• ideas were synthesised with justification from the text (Q9 and Q10).

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• responses were not adequately supported with relevant information when required
• candidates did not ascribe information or attributes to the correct person where texts involved a third person
• candidates had difficulty with texts containing significant amounts of information
• the requirements of the questions were not directly addressed.

Characteristics of better responses:

• common vocabulary from a wide range of topics was recognised
• a global understanding of the texts was demonstrated
• the advantages and disadvantages  
• in the text were succinctly summarised (Q15b)
• responses were supported with relevant details when required
• the dictionary was used judiciously and in combination with knowledge of Indonesian affixation to correctly identify unfamiliar words
• the requirements of the questions were addressed.

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• limited knowledge of common vocabulary was demonstrated
• the dictionary was not used or was incorrectly used
• Indonesian affixation and grammar was incorrectly used
• responses were insufficiently supported when required
• irrelevant or  incorrect information was included
• candidates did not identify the purposes of the texts.

Characteristics of better responses:

• register was correctly used (Q17)
• candidates wrote sustained texts with logically developed creative ideas which adhered to the text type
• the language used was more authentic and contained Indonesian syntax
• responses were cohesive and logical
• the suggested word count was met
• connectives and more sophisticated structures  were used.

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• candidates did not follow the conventions of the text type specified
• vocabulary was limited and predictable
• sentence structure was repetitive
• responses were poorly edited, particularly in relation to syntax, spelling and Indonesian word order for descriptions and possessives
• common errors included incorrect use of ke followed by a verb
• candidates did not provide a detailed description of the gift desired from their parents (Q16)
• incorrect register (kamu to a teacher instead of Anda) was used (Q17)
• candidates wrote a narrative  rather than structuring  their work like an article for a school magazine
• the dictionary was incorrectly used and literal translation from English was evident
• ideas were not sequenced logically and the suggested length was not met (Q18 and Q19).