Section I – Response to Prescribed Text – Part A
Students should:
- read the whole extract before attempting to answer the questions
- read the questions carefully and address all aspects in their response
- explain the quotes given in Japanese and their significance in the relevant context rather than just translating them
- demonstrate knowledge of all the extracts for study and the whole prescribed text where required
- respond in English using their own words
- use the lines given as an indication of length of response required.
In better responses, students were able to:
- explain how the ‘other world’ is portrayed in the film by recalling the visual imagery at the point of the quote (Q1a)
- identify what prompted Taki to say ‘time has slipped’ and give details (Q1b)
- state exactly what the impact on the audience was upon hearing the quote in the question and then analyse why the audience would feel this way (Q1c)
- refer to both content and language to explain what the director was trying to achieve in all lines indicated (Q1d)
- refer to specific terms of language and give quotes as support, for example, command form and repetition (Q1d)
- refer to all the lines in the question, for example, lines 28 to 31 (Q1d)
- address all parts of the question which includes referring to film techniques and literary devices in two extracts and providing a comprehensive analysis of their effectiveness (Q1e)
- clearly name the film techniques and literary devices, for example, close-up shots, flashbacks, personification and motif (Q1e)
- clearly define the concept of musubi in the response (Q1e)
- choose the most obvious examples of musubi when referring to one other extract (Q1e).
Areas for students to improve include:
- ensuring that writing in language is legible
- including all relevant information in their responses
- using specific examples to support their responses
- understanding the meaning and nuance of language
- responding to all parts of the question
- articulating ideas and structuring responses clearly.
Section I – Response to Prescribed Text – Part B
Students should:
- address all parts of the question fully
- write in the type of text as specified in the question
- address the specified context, purpose and audience of the question
- write from a particular perspective as required by the question
- demonstrate their knowledge of the chosen extract and other relevant parts of the text when responding to the question
- support their response with evidence from the text
- use their own words in their response.
In better responses, students were able to:
- answer the question by stating clearly why Tesshi used the explosion to help Mitsuha and evacuate the people of Itomori
- answer the question by also including some reflection/description of what happened at the time of the explosion
- answer also by commenting on some content that was in the extract given in the question
- give reasons why, for example, Tess trusted Mitsuha due to a deep connection between the two of them
- use senior grammar structures including passive/causative forms correctly
- show perceptive/sensitive understanding of the text
- show flair in their response, for example, hanzai wo shinakattara, minna shindeshimatta to omoukara, mouichido
shitemo tabun onaji koto wo shita to omoimasu.
Areas for students to improve include:
- writing in question and answer style (conversation text type writing)
- using tense correctly, for example, using past tense for a recount
- using kanji where appropriate
- meeting the requirement of the ji length (400ji)
- referring to the given extract, for example, students should quote or paraphrase at least one or two sentences or phrases
- always checking spelling as many students made very careless errors, for example, ageru instead of akeru
- being able to tell the difference between tara, to and nara.
Section II – Writing in Japanese
Students should:
- analyse the question with great care and address all aspects of the question
- ensure that the content of their response is relevant to the question
- structure their response to ensure that their response is coherent and logical
- support their argument, point of view or opinion with relevant ideas and information
- justify opinion and point of view with appropriate examples
- use vocabulary, expressions and where relevant, idiomatic language accurately
- manipulate language authentically and creatively with correct use of grammar and syntax to meet the requirements of the task
- use the dictionary to choose appropriate word, expression or phrase for the context, purpose and audience of the question
- ensure there is enough time to edit their work.
In better responses, students were able to:
- address all parts of the question, for example, referring to both dentoo wo mamoru and kaikaku
o mamoru
- present the argument in a logical and sequential order with a clear introduction and strong, insightful conclusion
- use conjunctions effectively
- demonstrate a wide knowledge of vocabulary that is related to the prescribed issues
- use a variety of grammatical structures
- present at least two arguments that are of similar quality.
Areas for students to improve include:
- using kanji accurately, for example, the correct den in dentoo
- using the correct text type, for example, an article not a speech
- justifying their opinions with appropriate examples
- including only relevant ideas that are linked to the question
- using a variety of perspectives to give breadth to their argument
- avoiding the repetition of a point of view
- using a passive voice accurately
- writing correctly in
katakana
- understanding transitive and intransitive verbs
- using the correct register consistently throughout the text, for example, plain or polite form.
