Modern Hebrew Continuers 2015 HSC exam pack

Conversation

Characteristics of better responses:

• effective communication skills were demonstrated
• responses were elaborated using a variety of tenses, when required
• a high level of vocabulary, including a range of sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structures, was evident
• the language was effectively manipulated, using the correct intonation
• a point of view was expressed and justified.

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• depth and fluency was lacking
• responses were brief with the occasional use of English syntax
• past and future tenses were not used correctly or not used at all
• frequent grammar mistakes were made, including incorrect use of the infinitive (for example, ani ohevet mesachek or Anchnu rotzim lelechet l’ israel ) and incorrect preposition after certain verbs (for example, doeg al )
• harbe and meod were confused
• the preposition et before a proper noun and definite article was not used
• verbs lifgosh and lehipagesh were confused
• mitanyan and meunyan were mixed up.

Discussion

Characteristics of better responses:

• topics that related directly to the syllabus topics were well defined, allowed for discussion and provided opportunities to express and justify a point of view
• detailed and perceptive references were made to three texts, including a literary source, and insight into linking the sources to the topic was demonstrated
• a point of view was discussed and substantiated effectively, supported by evidence from sources
• in-depth knowledge of the topic was demonstrated by giving fluent and elaborated responses to questions
• a high level of grammatical accuracy, use of a range of sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structures, and correct pronunciation and intonation were demonstrated
• conclusions were drawn from the in-depth study.

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• research lacked depth
• questions were not always understood, or were answered with insufficient depth and detail
• an inability to elaborate was evident
• resources were mentioned briefly but not effectively linked to topic
• ideas and a point of view were not coherently expressed
• knowledge of specific vocabulary relating to the topic was lacking
• inaccuracies in grammatical structures were evident.

Listening and Responding

Characteristics of better responses:

• responses were not simply a translation of the text
• responses had depth and included all the relevant detail needed
• answers were supported by clear references to the texts
• responses were well structured and clearly articulated
• evidence from the text was connected with direct reference to the content and language of the text.

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• quotes from the texts were given in Hebrew without giving an explanation
• translations of the text were given and the question was not addressed
• parts of the question were not addressed
• insufficient evidence was provided to support an answer
• details in the texts were referred to without linking them to the question.

Reading and Responding

Characteristics of better responses:

• relevant details from the text were included to support responses
• in-depth detail was provided
• main points of the text were identified and all the relevant information was included
• conclusions were inferred and drawn, with supporting evidence from the text provided.

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• a detailed response was not provided
• only a translation of the text was given
• conclusions were not inferred or drawn from the text
• neither accurate grammar nor correct vocabulary was used
• parts of the question were not addressed.

Writing in Modern Hebrew Continuers

Characteristics of better responses:

• a range of vocabulary, language and grammatical structures was used correctly
• relevant detail was provided
• a logical sequence and good structure were evident
• conventions of text types were appropriately applied
• appropriate language was used (for example, persuasive language, evaluative language) to meet the requirements of the task.

Characteristics of weaker responses:

• the requirements of the task in terms of content, language and/or text type were not met
• English syntax and translation were evident
• frequent errors in language structures and vocabulary were made, including:
  • incorrect use of tenses, eg haya instead of yiheyeh
  • incorrect use of prepositions, eg ozer, et
  • incorrect use of prepositions in conjugation, eg shelo instead of shelcha, la instead of lach
  • incorrect agreement of irregular nouns and adjectives, eg miktzo'ot tovot, mekomot yafot
• the word limit was not met and there was repetition and irrelevant information provided.