Section I – Listening and Responding Part A
Students should:
- make notes in the Candidate’s Notes column and transcribe their answer on to the allocated lines
- respond in English
- use their own words and not translate segments of the text as part of their response
- refer to content and language if required by the question and give examples from the text to support their response
- address the key words in the question, for example ‘how’, ‘why’, ‘justify’, ‘analyse’ and provide relevant responses
- have a thorough knowledge of the prescribed themes and the related issues as well as the prescribed texts for study.
In better responses, students were able to:
- identify relevant and appropriate information in the aural text and address all parts of the question(s)
- use specific and detailed textual references to support their ideas
- demonstrate perceptive understanding of a given text
- demonstrate excellent knowledge and understanding of language techniques, such as inversion, noun ending sentences (Q1c)
- make reference to both content and the language used (Q1c)
- understand the correct meaning of idioms such as 適材適所 (Q1c)
- communicate ideas in comprehensible English.
Areas for students to improve include:
- incorporating as much relevant information from the spoken text as possible
- making clear reference to both the content and the language
- responding concisely and succinctly when the question requires a summary and refraining from providing irrelevant information (Q1b)
- proofreading responses so that they make sense and are not contradictory.
Section I – Listening and Responding Part B
Students should:
- respond in Japanese as stipulated in the question
- use their own words and not translate segments of the text as part of their response
- demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the prescribed themes and the related issues raised in the texts
- support response with appropriate examples and textual references
- ensure their response provides all the relevant information to fully answer the question
- manipulate the language authentically according to the context, audience and purpose of the question
- apply the conventions of the type of text required by the question
- adhere to the suggested number of words and/or characters.
In better responses, students were able to:
- refer to the content of both texts for effective comparison
- structure their response in a logical manner with appropriate use of conjunctions.
- express ideas and opinions coherently and creatively
- provide a clear analysis of the issues raised rather than just listing ideas
- Identifies the main issues in the texts and compares and contrasts issues raised with close reference to the texts.
Areas for students to improve include:
- sequencing ideas and information in a logical and coherent manner
- demonstrating an excellent control of vocabulary and language structures
- responding to the question in particular rather than describing the issues in general
- developing an argument and not just recounting contents of the text
- following the style of the text type, for example, an article.
Section II – Reading and Responding Part A
Students should:
- respond in either English or Japanese as required by the question
- address all parts of the question
- identify the key issue(s) and provide examples to substantiate response when asked to analyse or evaluate information
- demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the prescribed texts, themes and prescribed issues
- use appropriate textual references to support their ideas and point(s) of view
- structure and sequence information and ideas in a coherent and logical manner
- have an excellent control of vocabulary and appropriate language structures
- avoid giving a literal translation of text(s) as part of the response
- use only the lines allocated for the question.
In better responses, students were able to:
- include relevant details from the text to support ideas and opinion/s (Q3a,b)
- identify relevant information with extensive reference to the poem (Q3c)
- discuss the main issues by giving appropriate examples from the whole text (Q3d)
- identify and discuss language techniques used by the poet/ author, such as use of repetition, metaphors, similes, onomatopoeia and the like (Q3d,4)
- support the message expressed in the short story with appropriate reference to the text including language features (Q4).
Areas for students to improve include:
- ensuring responses include an analysis of both the content and language features used in the texts (Q3d)
- providing relevant textual references and language features (Q4).
Section II – Reading and Responding Part B
Students should:
- respond in Japanese only
- apply the conventions of the type of text required by the question
- take a stance on the issue(s) raised in the text and substantiate point of view with evidence from the text
- demonstrate understanding of whole text
- demonstrate an excellent control of vocabulary and appropriate language structures.
In better responses, students were able to:
- apply the conventions of the text type, that is, a letter to the editor
- compose a coherent and effective argument supported by relevant examples and reference to the text
- structure and sequence information and ideas in a coherent and logical manner
- discuss the arguments raised in the text instead of just stating their own opinion
Areas for students to improve include:
- composing a coherent argument instead of summarising, recounting or paraphrasing the content in the text
- expressing opinions on the issue rather than discussing the narrow range of ideas such as promoting a good image of tattoo
- expressing views and opinions in a logical and coherent argument
- making appropriate reference to the main points raised in the text
- developing an argument and not just recounting content of the text.
Section III – Writing in Language
Students should:
- apply the conventions of the type of text required by the question
- maintain appropriate register throughout the script
- write perceptively on the issue(s) addressed in the question
- demonstrate originality in the development and sequence of information and ideas
- demonstrate an excellent control of vocabulary and language structures suitable to the issue(s) discussed in the response
- adhere to the word and/or character limit of the question.
In better responses, students were able to:
- address all parts of the question with relevant ideas and information
- demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the prescribed contemporary issues
- write with logical sequencing of ideas and appropriate use of conjunctions
- address consistently the context, purpose and audience throughout their response
- write about how living in a multicultural society affects them with appropriate examples (Q6)
- talk about the topic in depth by raising complex issues such as potential difficulties with online learning (Q7)
- write about how online learning affected them personally as well as ideas about how online learning affected society (Q7).
Areas for students to improve include:
- reading the title of the forum carefully as some students didn’t refer to the topic ‘young people and society’
- demonstrating a deep knowledge of the relevant prescribed contemporary issues
- responding to the question in particular rather than describing the issues in general
- structuring texts thoughtfully and logically and supporting their response with relevant examples
- sequencing ideas and information in a logical and coherent manner
- revising Japanese vocabulary, language structures and expressions relating to the prescribed issues
- using a wide range of kanji
- demonstrating originality in the development of ideas.
