Serbian Continuers 2018 HSC exam pack (archive)

Listening and Responding – Part A

Students should:

• respond in English
• make notes in the allocated space on the right-hand side of the page
• write all parts of a response in the lines, table or chart provided below the question
• use the lines provided as a guide to the length of the response required
• choose only one response in multiple choice questions
• read the question carefully and ensure that their responses are clear and address all parts of the question
• support their responses with relevant reference to the text, using their own words. 

In better responses, students were able to:

• refer to both the content and the language in their response (1(b))
• provide supporting evidence from the text, using their own words (2(b) and 3(b)).

Areas for students to improve include:

• using dictionary appropriately to find the correct meaning of word or expressions for the context
• proofreading responses so that they make sense and are not contradictory.

Listening and Responding – Part B

Students should:

• respond in Serbian
• read the question carefully and address all key points in their response
• avoid translating the text as part of their response
• use their own words in Serbian when responding to question
• make notes in the allocated space on the right-hand side of the page
• write all parts of a response in the lines, table or chart provided below the question
• choose only one response in multiple choice questions
• avoid repetition of the same information in their response. 

In better responses, students were able to:

• analyse and interpret information rather than simply translating
• provide adequate supporting evidence from the text, using their own words (5(b))
• refer to both the content and the language in their response without just translating the text (6(b)).

Areas for students to improve include:

• addressing all parts of the question
• using appropriate examples and references to the text
• using correct Serbian vocabulary, grammar and syntax
• referring to relevant language features, such as similes, metaphors, rhetorical questions if the question asks to comment on how the speaker uses language.

Reading and Responding – Part A

Students should:

• respond in English
• read the whole text carefully and address all parts of the question
• write all parts of a response in the lines, table or chart provided below the question
• choose only one response in multiple choice questions
• analyse the information in the text or draw a conclusion rather than give a literal translation
• use the dictionary appropriately to find the correct meaning of the word or expressions in context. 

In better responses, students were able to:

• explain what Dragan perceived as meaningful and support their response with relevant details and evidence from the text (Q7)
• refer to both the content and the language in their response (Q8). 

Areas for students to improve include:

• using their own words when providing answers rather than just repeating the question in response
• supporting response with appropriate examples from and references to the text
• avoiding translating text as part of their response
• using own words or paraphrasing to show understanding of quotes from text
• avoiding repeating information used to answer other questions
• using the dictionary appropriately to find the correct meaning of the word or expressions for the context of the text.

Reading and Responding – Part B

Students should:

• use only one script, either Cyrillic or Latin, throughout their response
• demonstrate an understanding of the whole text and not respond only to questions asked in the text
• respond to all relevant and key points raised in the text, for example comments made, requests for advice
• respond using all the conventions of the type of text required by the question
• respond in Serbian using their own words, ideas, original expressions and sentence structures and avoid using expressions used in the text
• respond to the question asked in relation to the text
• edit their work in relation to grammar and spelling.

In better responses, students were able to:

• respond to all the key ideas and main points in the whole text
• demonstrate understanding of the text throughout their response
• use correct grammar, appropriate cases and Serbian syntax
• use dictionaries carefully and appropriately to avoid errors with choice of vocabulary, for example zdravye and zdravnosh instead of zdravlje; transportacija instead of transport. 

Areas for students to improve include:

• using accurate and appropriate of idioms for context
• applying correct orthography (eg č and ć)
• applying correct rules for negation
• revising future and conditional tenses and appropriate use of prepositions
• avoiding transcribing sections of the text in their response
• using their own vocabulary and expressions in response.
• avoiding using English sentence structures when writing in Serbian
• responding in a coherent and logical way to show understanding of text
• ensuring meeting the correct length requirements of task
• proofreading their work to ensure clarity of response.

Writing in Serbian

Students should:

• choose vocabulary relevant and appropriate to the task
• use only one script, either Cyrillic or Latin throughout the response
• ensure that their response is in keeping with the context, purpose and audience required by the question
• respond using all the conventions of the type of text required by the question
• address all parts of the question
• respond in Serbian using their own words, original expressions, sentence structures and ideas
• avoid using expressions used in other parts of the examination
• adhere to the number of word requirement for this section
• edit their response for clarity.

In better responses, students were able to:

• sustain the appropriate formal register accurately throughout their response without reverting to colloquial expressions.

Areas for students to improve include:

• revising grammar rules
• using accurate and appropriate idioms for the context of the question
• reading the question carefully and addressing all the parts of the question
• avoiding addressing the question superficially
• avoiding using pre-learnt expressions that are irrelevant to answering the question
• using a variety of vocabulary rather than using the same adjectives and expressions throughout the response
• using dictionary appropriately to ensure correct word or expressions are used in the context of the response.