Indonesian and Literature 2015 HSC exam pack

Part A

Characteristics of better responses:

• an understanding of who puts pressures on Tono, including himself, was demonstrated
• a comprehensive understanding of how technology has affected Tono’s whole life and not just his school and/or social life was shown
• an understanding of the language techniques used to depict Tono’s feelings was evident
• responses were supported with relevant references to the text
• texts were paraphrased rather than simply translated.

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• candidates showed a limited understanding of how technology has affected Tono’s life
• candidates demonstrated a limited understanding of language techniques used
• responses were not supported with reference to the text.

Part B

Characteristics of better responses:

• close reference to both texts was made
• both texts were synthesised into the new text type required
• candidates compared and contrasted all aspects of the issues raised in both texts
• candidates wrote from the point of view of Iwan.

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• candidates focused on one text
• candidates referenced both texts but not in detail
• candidates misunderstood and/or misquoted the information in the listening texts
• candidates listed details from the text rather than comparing and contrasting the issues.

Part A

Characteristics of better responses:

• candidates recognised the significance of ‘the first son’ and ‘the first/eldest daughter-in-law’ within the family hierarchy (Q3)
• candidates included appropriate details to support their answers, such as Lan Fang’s willingness to do IVF (Q3)
• an analysis of the characters in the film, especially the two main characters, was included (Q4)
• the importance of the female character, Monita, in relation to the question was recognised (Q4)
• relevant scenes from the film were selected to support an argument (Q4)
• a thorough knowledge of the prescribed text and the contemporary issues was shown (Q4)
• the content and the textual features used were analysed and related back to the question (Q4).

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• candidates did not explain how tradition has affected Lan Fang’s attitude (Q3)
• irony, both in general and as it is understood in the prescribed text, was not understood (Q3)
• little or no knowledge of the prescribed texts was shown (Q3 and Q4)
• candidates did not use the correct textual features to support their argument (Q4)
• candidates identified isolated scenes from the prescribed text but did not relate them back to the question, the theme and the contemporary issues (Q4).

Part B

Characteristics of better responses:

• candidates closely referenced and linked the content of the stimulus text into their answers
• candidates addressed many of the specifics of the stimulus text while providing a rebuttal
• candidates addressed issues beyond the obvious, such as bad bosses and maltreatment, and included other factors such as loneliness, cultural differences and the human cost of leaving one’s family
• the contemporary issue in the stimulus text was understood
• responses were convincing and supported with relevant facts and examples
• sophisticated language was included.

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• candidates responded to only one aspect of the stimulus text
• the contemporary issues in the stimulus text were misunderstood
• the content of one of the prescribed texts was restated
• responses were not supported with relevant facts, and examples and were not convincing
• little or no elaboration of ideas was provided.

Characteristics of better responses:

• the requirement of the questions were fully understood
• the best of Indonesian values were identified and linked to the person chosen (Q6)
• candidates described what the person had done accurately (Q6)
• an explanation of how the person chosen had influenced youth in a good way was provided (Q7)
• original ideas were used and supported by relevant examples
• candidates wrote with sophistication and flair.

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• candidates only recounted what the person had done and with inaccuracies (Q6)
• a superficial understanding of the contemporary issues and the questions was shown
• a narrow range of ideas with examples that were clichéd and stereotypical was provided.