Japanese Extension 2017 HSC exam pack (archive)

Students should:

• read the questions in both Japanese and English in order to fully understand the requirements of the task
• take care to construct a logical argument that fully explains their position, rather than attempting to change the question to meet pre-constructed arguments
• identify key words within the question and develop effective responses using those key words
• include sufficient information to fully address the topic
• present ideas in a logical sequence
• ensure their point of view about the topic is clearly expressed
• ensure accuracy with grammatical structures, particles and tense
• adopt only one point of view to answer the question
• focus on demonstrating confidence and fluency, minimising the length of pauses between ideas
• avoid the use of pre-prepared a responses that do not answer the questions.

Student strengths

In better responses, students were able to:

• clearly state a point of view
• use a wide range of vocabulary and sentence structures
• present a logical, well-structured argument supported by sophisticated examples
• demonstrate in-depth ideas
• communicate confidently with a high level of fluency and authentic intonation
• link their ideas back to the question
• use conjunctions correctly to link between various points of view.

Students should:

• translate the quotes in the question correctly
• respond directly to the question
• refer specifically to the set extract and the lines indicated in the question when constructing a response, rather than referring generally to themes and events in the text without reference to the set extract
• avoid reliance on large pieces of text copied directly from the dictionary.

In better responses, students were able to:

• specifically refer to the set extract and the lines indicated in the question when responding
• answer the question directly, and all responses and opinions are justified and well organised
• apply higher order thinking when asked to analyse, taking their thinking ‘one step further’ and justifying their response to demonstrate a perceptive understanding of the text.

In better responses, students were able to:

• provide an insightful understanding of the situation and characters using specific examples from the extract provide, for example, ittaitte shinda hito no koto; tabi no otetsudai; goshoku
• reference Daigo’s interview with Sasaki-san, and include both Uemura and Sasaki’s impression of Daigo’s growth
• write with flair and originality when creatively interweaving quotes naturally into their responses, for example, the mention of 1 year anniversary party; cactus blooming equated to Daigo’s growth in the job
• demonstrate great control of language throughout their writing by the use of a great variety of vocabulary, grammar, prescribed kanji and authentic and sophisticated expressions
• write kanji and vocabulary with accuracy
• apply register and tense appropriately and consistently to meet the requirements of the task (using shacho vs Sasaki-kun).

In better responses, students were able to:

• present a clear introduction, individual points of view and a concluding statement, fully addressing the question and the type of text
• provide breadth and depth in their argument
• continuously link back to the questions
• acknowledge key words
• support their point of view by using relevant and convincing examples
• present their arguments in logical, coherent and sequential order
• accurately use a wide range of grammatical structures, vocabulary and prescribed kanji.